Fansided

Giannis Antetokounmpo suspended for hit on Mike Dunleavy

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) is defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) is defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks young star probably got off a little light here.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been suspended for one game without pay for trucking Mike Dunleavy of the Chicago Bulls during Thursday’s Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.

Antetokounmpo, apparently inspired by the NHL playoffs, simply ran over Dunleavy well after the play was over, leading to an ejection.

That obviously deserves a suspension, but the Greek Freak was far from the only player to commit a dirty play during Game 6 of what was a very chippy series. Dunleavy himself was fortunate to avoid suspension after hitting Michael Carter-Williams in the back of the neck. NBA punishment can often be inconsistent, and this is just another example.

Given the circumstances, Antetokounmpo is pretty fortunate that he didn’t get suspended for as many as five games. The Bucks were in the process of being completely obliterated by the Bulls on their own court. That in combination with cheap shots earlier from Dunleavy probably led to some frustration. Chicago secured the series in six games with a 120-66 rout on Thursday, so at least the ejection didn’t factor into the final result.

That elimination means Antetokounmpo won’t serve his suspension for another few months. The Bucks will have to open what should be an exciting season without one of their best players.

Antetokounmpo, just 20 years old with a 7-3 wingspan, showed great growth from his rookie season by averaging 12.7 points per contest with a PER of 14.89. He will lead a young an exciting Bucks’ core in 2016 that features a ton of length and an excellent head coach in Jason Kidd.

Meanwhile, Dunleavy will (unfairly) not have to sit out Game 1 between the Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Cleveland will be without J.R. Smith, who earned a well-deserved suspension for elbowing Jae Crowder of the Boston Celtics in the face.

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