Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Paul are every legendary skills from differential generations. The 2 superstars have crossed paths many instances, together with within the 2021 NBA Finals when Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks erased a 2-0 collection lead by Paul’s Phoenix Suns to win the championship. Giannis put collectively one of many biggest performances in NBA Finals historical past throughout that collection, and it stored Paul ringless for his profession.
Paul is now on the San Antonio Spurs to assist information the event of Victor Wembanyama, and although he’ll flip 40 years previous in Could, CP3 remains to be enjoying at a excessive degree. The Bucks-Spurs sport on Friday night time was constructed up as showdown of the NBA’s celebrity of the current (Giannis) vs. its celebrity of the longer term (Wemby), however by some means Paul once more stole headlines along with his actions on the court docket.
Antetokounmpo and Paul began jawing at one another on the court docket after Giannis believed CP3 shoved him to the bottom close to the top of the fourth quarter. Paul proceeded to mock Antetokounmpo on the free throw line, and two gamers continued to alternate phrases after the sport, with Giannis telling the veteran to “come see me.”
Antetokounmpo is simply in regards to the largest and strongest participant within the league. Paul is likely one of the smallest gamers within the NBA, and the second oldest behind LeBron James. Watch their beef play right here:
Giannis and CP3 chirping at one another, the total incident. This what the sport been lacking
1st clip: Giannis thinks CP3 tripped him
2nd clip: CP3 mocks Giannis lacking on the line
third clip: Giannis asking CP3 to “Come see him after the sport”. CP3 saying “Yeah I’ll try this”
4th… pic.twitter.com/IPJJAh3mWB— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) February 1, 2025
Right here’s one other take a look at the play Giannis received so mad about. Observe the time and the rating: the Spurs are up 20 factors with below 4 minutes left. The sport is all however over, however Antetokounmpo and Paul nonetheless have the aggressive juices flowing.
Did CP3 actually push Giannis right here?
Giannis getting mad for no cause at Chris Paul whereas he tripped over him. Crying the entire time.
Pointing at CP3 the entire time. Sochan steps in entrance. pic.twitter.com/bVAMv8dYjs
— CP3REGION (@cp3region) February 1, 2025
When Giannis missed his first free throw, Paul instantly walked as much as him and did the observe taking pictures movement that the Bucks star repeats after each missed try on the line. CP3 was needling Antetokounmpo, and Giannis didn’t respect it.
Because the groups headed again to their benches, you could possibly see Giannis problem Paul by telling him to fulfill him after the sport. It continued after the ultimate whistle blew on the Spurs win.
Antetokounmpo was nonetheless heated within the post-game locker room. Right here’s what he instructed reporters about why he hung round on the court docket after the ultimate buzzer to problem Paul.
There’s a historical past of soiled performs on either side right here. It’s been greater than 10 years since Giannis physique checked Mike Dunleavy Jr. throughout a playoff sport, however folks haven’t forgotten about it. Paul has been accused of soiled performs since faculty (phrase to Julius Hodge), and there are such a lot of examples within the NBA of borderline soiled performs.
Greater than something, Antetokounmpo and Paul are historic rivals in search of each edge on their opponent. Paul and Wemby received the final giggle this time, however one thing tells me the meat between CP3 and Giannis isn’t over but.