Paul George offers his take on the drama involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the game-ball

PG believes the home team has the right to the game ball.

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Much was made out of the brouhaha involving Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his pursuit of the game ball following his incredible 64-point performance against the Indiana Pacers last week. While the incident was scrutinized from all angles, Los Angeles Clippers ace Paul George weighed in with his own opinion on the matter.

Home team thing

Being an NBA veteran, PG has seen it all. Although the fuss that Giannis made over wanting the game ball with such intensity was probably a first, PG defended the "Greek Freak" saying he was well within his rights to demand the ball, especially since Milwaukee was the home team.

"I can't say he overreacted because maybe he values that. That's more of like a home team thing. For Indiana to take the ball, they're a road team, that's where the problem lies," PG said on Podcast P.

"You don't get that right to just take that ball. You're the road team. The home team gets that ball."

The incident occurred on December 14th when Giannis set a new franchise record for most points scored in a single game. The 64-point explosion was also Antetokounmpo's new career-high. However, after the final buzzer sounded on Milwaukee's 140-126 win, it appeared Indiana took the game ball to give it to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first official points in the NBA during the game.

Giannis wanted none of that and demanded the game ball from Indiana's staff, even going as far as heading to the hallway of the Pacers' locker room to get the basketball.

Patrick Beverley's different take

As fiery as Giannis is, Patrick Beverley may be just as or even more high-spirited. The Philadelphia 76ers guard had a different take on the situation, saying he would have given Antetokounmpo the ball, though it would not be in the best condition.

"I would've poked a hole in that b*tch. Beat me? Put 60 on me? Yeah, you can have this ball. Then I thought about it. I would've peeled that b*tch like an orange," shared PatBev.

Pat Bev says he would’ve deflated Giannis’ game ball

"I would've poked a hole in that b*tch. Beat me? Put 60 on me? Yeah, you can have this ball. Then I thought about it. I would've pealed that b*tch like an orange."

(@PatBevPod /h/t @ClutchPoints )

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 20, 2023

Controversy erupts as Giannis chases game ball straight into the Pacers' locker room