Giannis Antetokounmpo On Jimmy Butler: "I Wish I Could've Guarded Him More"

Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted to defend Jimmy Butler but out of respect left it up to Jrue Holiday and coach Mike Budenholzer

  Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo is an annual candidate for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. 

After watching Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler dominate offensively, Antetokounmpo said he wished he had a chance to defend him. Butler averaged 37.9 points on 59 percent shooting during their playoff series. The Heat won in five games. 

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer put Holiday on Butler most of the game instead of allowing Antetokounmpo to help. 

"Out of respect, you've got to let the coach make that adjustment," Antetokounmpo said. "We had our best defender on him ... [Holiday] is so competitive. He plays so hard that he wanted to take the challenge. At the end of the day, I wish I could've guard him more." 

Antetokounmpo said the Bucks never adjusted to Butler. Now, they have all offseason to think about their mistakes. 

"I don't think as a team we made the right, or we didn't make as many, adjustments as we could against him," Antetokounmpo said

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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