Suns fans count to 12 seconds before Antetokounmpo shoots free throws
Jul 6, 2021, 6:31 PM | Updated: 11:50 pm
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a free-throw shot against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena on February 10, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Bucks 125-124. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns Arena showed just how loud it can get within the first 15 seconds of Tuesday night’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
After the opening possession resulted in Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo getting fouled on an alley-oop attempt, the Greek Freak headed to the free throw line for the first time in the series.
It’s almost become a theme song while Antetokounmpo takes his time at the charity stripe during road games.
The arena loudly counted up to 12 seconds on both of his free throw attempts.
Here’s the second FT pic.twitter.com/s67bnvpbyv
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 7, 2021
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“Of course, 20,000 people yelling, ‘One, two, three, four,’ — you notice that,” Antetokounmpo said of the crowd’s counting.
“But as I said, I’ve learned to embrace it. Like I know it’s not going to stop. At the end of the day when it keeps going, it fades away. There are times that the first free throw I hear it but the fifth one, sixth one, I’m not hearing no more and I’m just focusing on what I’ve got to do and my routine.”
Per NBA rules, a player only has 10 seconds from the time he receives the ball to attempt a shot.
Antetokounmpo split both of his free throws in his first attempt.
The Greek Freak also split his next two shots from the charity stripe, which Suns fans also let him know took 12 seconds to shoot.
He finished the night 7-of-12 from the free throw line.
This crowd is ruthless pic.twitter.com/OsvG7lHwCj
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 7, 2021
Phoenix held on to beat Milwaukee 118-105 to take a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Game 2 is set for Thursday night at Phoenix Suns Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.
Catch all the action on 98.7 Arizona’s Suns Station.
