Giannis Antetokounmpo was the first to take responsibility for the Heat’s performance in their season opener, despite his impressive personal debut.
After the 131-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Greek superstar didn’t dwell on the 35 points he scored, but rather on what his new team needs to improve.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“I don’t know if it was the nerves or the excitement of the first game. We have to be better. Our offense has to be better, and we have to trust each other. We can’t lose that trust,” he emphasized.
Giannis placed particular emphasis on the issue of effort and put himself first in the process of improvement. “Our effort has to be much better. It starts with me. My own effort has to be better. We gave up 130 points at home. I have to be better; I have to set the tone,” he said, indicating that the result and the overall picture mattered more to him than his individual performance.
And yet, his stats in his first official game with Miami were historic. Antetokounmpo finished with 35 points in 30 minutes, shooting 13-for-19 from the field and 9-for-14 from the free-throw line, along with 6 rebounds and 1 assist. He scored the Heat’s first eight points, finished the first quarter with 14 points and 5-for-6 shooting, and by halftime had already reached 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field. Last season with the Bucks, he hadn’t once scored 20+ points in the first half.
In fact, with his 35 points, he surpassed LeBron James’ 31 points from 2010 and set the record for the highest-scoring debut in a regular-season game while wearing a Heat jersey. He also fell just two points short of LeBron’s record of 37 points in a season opener for Miami, a mark he has held since 2011. Giannis fouled out with 7:09 remaining, having already made history, but after the game he chose to send a message of self-criticism and immediate action.
*photo source: AP
