Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to dodge 'face of league' questions, how Larry Bird coached against Michael Jordan, and Kevin Durant finally explains his trade request.

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GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO

Giannis Antetokounmpo Continues to Dodge 'Face of League' Questions

Giannis Antetokounmpo is built different. Not only are his physical gifts out of this world, hence the “Greek Freak” moniker, but he might be the most humble superstar the game has ever seen. Giannis is universally considered the best player in the league and deservingly so, but despite his many accolades, which include an NBA championship, two MVP awards, and a DPOY, he respectfully declines to name himself as such.

The first time this happened was at this past Bucks media day when he bestowed the honor onto Steph Curry as Curry was “the last man standing” and he did it again recently on Serge Ibaka’s show “How Hungry Are You."

Thankfully Giannis seems to have heard everyone’s praise, and he admitted to being “one of the faces” before quickly adding that "LeBron’s still playing. Steph [Curry] just won a championship, KD’s still hooping. [Joel] Embiid’s killing. [Nikola] Jokic back-to-back MVP. Luka [Doncic] Magic. There’s a lot of people out there."

It’s hard to know if this is a façade or if Giannis really means it, but either way, there’s no denying his impact on the court, and if the Bucks win it all again this year, by his rules, he’ll have to admit to being the top dog.

LARRY BIRD

How Larry Bird Coached Against Michael Jordan

Larry Bird was one of the few individuals to get the better of Michael Jordan as a player, winning 17 of their 28 matchups, so when he moved into a coaching role, he had some wisdom to impart. But as it turns out, there’s really not much you can do to stop MJ.

Bird took the Pacers job in 1997 and had this to say to his team ahead of a matchup with the Bulls:

“The thing with Jordan is, you can be ahead by 10, and two minutes later the game is tied…if [we] can stay close until the last two minutes, then we have a chance. Who knows? Michael might actually come down and miss a shot. I doubt it, but he might.”

Bird’s glowing praise of MJ might seem out of character coming from a rival, but Larry Legend has always had great things to say about Jordan. When Bird learned that MJ had retired for the first time, he was visibly upset and said, “I am very sad to hear the news. No one was ever better than him.”

KEVIN DURANT

Kevin Durant Finally Explains his Trade Request

Kevin Durant set the NBA world on fire when he demanded a trade this offseason, and after a lot of confusing statements, we finally know what led to his decision. Speaking to Bleacher Report, KD said it had everything to do with game preparation.

Durant said: "I went to them and was like, 'Yo, I don't like how we are preparing. I don't like shootarounds. I like practices. I need more.” He also added that he: “had some complaints in the summer, and my complaints were not about just me; it was about how we are moving as a unit. I want us to be respected out here in the basketball world.”

The Brooklyn Nets haven’t had the start everyone envisioned between Kyrie Irving’s suspension and Ben Simmons's slow recovery, but Durant’s good spirits are music to Nets’ fans' ears. The team has definitely been better lately, and KD has noticed. He said: "coaches have been doing a great job, regardless of this loss [against the Kings] and last game. I think we've been preparing ourselves well. Guys want to win. We're out there playing as hard as we can. That's really what I need.”

THE RUMOR MILL

Steve Kerr says Warriors lacking 'collective grit' amid 0-8 road skid

NBA champ: Lakers trading LeBron James may put team 'back into contention'

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

November 18, 2018: LeBron James scores a season-high 51 points for the Los Angeles Lakers as they beat the Miami Heat 113-97

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