Chapter 422: Crowned in Chaos.
"I need to learn how to adjust. I’ll be better next game."
After losing Game 1 of the Finals, Giannis wore his frustration on his face—but to his credit, he still carried himself like a leader.
In many ways, he mirrored LeBron—both in playing style and mentality—but in this moment, the younger Giannis actually seemed more mature than LeBron ever did in defeat.
"It’s only the first game of the Finals."
Coach Budenholzer also kept his cool.
It wasn’t necessarily poise—it was numbness. Back when he coached the Hawks, he’d been through way worse.
That’s just how people work. Go through enough pain, and eventually you get used to it.
Two days later, Game 2 tipped off again in Milwaukee.
The Bucks made some adjustments. They dialed back the plays specifically designed for Giannis and instead involved him more as a screener in pick-and-rolls.
Giannis’s biggest strength was his mobility and aggression for a big man. Unlike LeBron, he didn’t need the ball in his hands all the time.
But the Kings had a solid counter.