Post by TimPig on Aug 10, 2018 12:52:41 GMT
C.K. Johnston
The Chicago Tribune
In a scorching interview with the Charlotte Observer earlier this week, 19-year-old Hornets rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't hold back in his criticism of Chicago Bulls wing Desmond Mason.
"But its [sic] ok, being King would be stressful and not as fun as flying down the floor dunking on Desmond Mason, that dude is a little (expletive) just like Bozeman," said the "Greek Freak" in broken English that wasn't revised by the editor at the Charlotte Observer.
"It's always a pleasure and Ill [sic] be dunking on that baby back (expletive) Mason again soon," continued Antetokounmpo in the same interview.
[Editor's Note: as an editorial standard, we at the Chicago Tribune choose not to publish the same expletives that the Charlotte Observer publishes. We also determined that adding [sic] after every erroneous portion of the quotes above would detract from the message that was attempting to be conveyed.]
Following Antetokounmpo's interview, the ever kind and well-mannered Mason, the third overall pick in the 2004 TMBSL Entry Draft, was gracious enough to sit down with the Tribune and respond to the comments made by his Central Division rival.
C.K. Johnston: Desmond, what were your initial reactions when you heard what Giannis said in his interview with the Charlotte Observer?
Desmond Mason: Honestly? I was shocked. And hurt. Giannis and I became close at last year's The Main Board Sim League Up-and-Coming Small Forwards Against the Consumption and Sale of Marijuana Tournament (TMBSLUaCSFAtCaSoMT) in Barcelona. We would drink rosé together -- we weren't in the U.S. and it was legal -- and tell grand stories of what it was like growing up in Texas and Greece. We shared a ton of laughs at the differences in culture, but always made sure we were respectful of those differences.
To see how he has been changed in just a few short weeks is nothing short of saddening. Giannis was an inspiring young man with a passion for the game and a desire to win. Now it's become clear that he's been corrupted by the Charlotte front office, as everyone else who has played there clearly has, into becoming a real selfish and disappointing human being. He's also a disappointment to all of the children he initially inspired at the TMBSLUaCSFAtCaSoMT, as I've heard he now smokes marijuana almost daily with the Hornets front office. It's no wonder they manage their team like a group of schizophrenics. I sincerely hope all of them seek help.
CK: Strong words for a young man you once considered a friend, as well as the Hornets organization. If you could send Giannis a message right now, what would it be?
DM: I'd tell him that I know there's still some humanity in there. You're only 19 and you have a long life in front of you, both in this league and when you retire. Don't let the front office there ruin you as it has so many others. You, Kostas, and Alexis all come from a beautiful family and there's no need to resort to childish name-calling as everyone else in that organization does.
CK: Have you spoken to Giannis since the comments in The Charlotte Observer were published?
DM: I have. I called him as soon as they were published because they seemingly came out of nowhere. He let me know that he feels really handcuffed by the organization over there and that he spoke out in a moment of weakness. He loves basketball but he said it's only taken a few weeks for it to become a chore for him. Apparently he was told upon being drafted that Charlotte had won multiple championships, but as soon as he learned how to use Wikipedia he discovered they'd never won more than 27 games or made the playoffs. He had no idea how bleak the situation was. It's truly unfortunate. He said he hopes the next four years pass by quickly so that he can finally leave what he described as a "rotting, festering corpse" of an organization.
CK: Wow, strong words. How did you respond?
DM: I said, "We'll see you soon, Giannis." I can't wait for him to come to Chicago. It's almost a foregone conclusion. We already have another great friend of mine, Antawn, playing the three, but Giannis said he'd rather ride the bench here than have his name associated with Charlotte.
CK: I can only imagine what kind of problems this will cause with the league office. How do you think the two of you have stacked up in head-to-head matchups so far?
DM: Well, we've played the Hornets twice and won by an average of 31.5 points, and those two wins are the only stat that I care about. Basketball is a team game and no matter how many times I might posterize Giannis -- and I make sure all proceeds from the posters sold with my likeness go to anti-marijuana charities -- that's not what's important here.
But if I must elaborate, I feel good about our head-to-head matchups. I'm averaging 27 points on 57.5% shooting and 10.5 rebounds per game against the Hornets. I know their general manager said some very disparaging things when the Bulls showed their faith in drafting me, and I'm enjoying proving my doubters wrong.
Overall, I think it ultimately comes down to a very apparent case of trader's remorse. You might remember that the pick the Bulls used to select me was acquired from Charlotte in exchange for Brad Daugherty and the 24th pick the previous year, which they then sent to the Miami Heat as part of a package for the 13th pick, which was used to select Sarunas Jasikevicius, one of the league's best young point guards.
Brad, of course, got out of Charlotte as quickly as he was able and now plays in Los Angeles after the two years in Charlotte that hopefully don't stunt his development permanently.
I thank God every day that the Hornets traded that pick to the Bulls and I plan to reward the city of Chicago for years to come.
CK: I don't think most of our readers knew the domino effect that trade truly had. Thank you for explaining. You seem to be a very intelligent young man off the court and a true student of the game.
DM: This game is my life and it means everything to me. I eat, sleep, and drink basketball. I hope for the best for every young man who is fortunate enough to suit up in TMBSL because we are a truly special bunch of people. We shouldn't spend so much time trying to bring each other down. Rather, we should constantly focus on lifting one another up, and that's the message I'd like every child reading this to take home with them.
CK: Well, Desmond, it's truly been a pleasure. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to sit down with us.
DM: Of course. Blessed be God forever.
The Chicago Tribune
In a scorching interview with the Charlotte Observer earlier this week, 19-year-old Hornets rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't hold back in his criticism of Chicago Bulls wing Desmond Mason.
"But its [sic] ok, being King would be stressful and not as fun as flying down the floor dunking on Desmond Mason, that dude is a little (expletive) just like Bozeman," said the "Greek Freak" in broken English that wasn't revised by the editor at the Charlotte Observer.
"It's always a pleasure and Ill [sic] be dunking on that baby back (expletive) Mason again soon," continued Antetokounmpo in the same interview.
[Editor's Note: as an editorial standard, we at the Chicago Tribune choose not to publish the same expletives that the Charlotte Observer publishes. We also determined that adding [sic] after every erroneous portion of the quotes above would detract from the message that was attempting to be conveyed.]
Following Antetokounmpo's interview, the ever kind and well-mannered Mason, the third overall pick in the 2004 TMBSL Entry Draft, was gracious enough to sit down with the Tribune and respond to the comments made by his Central Division rival.
C.K. Johnston: Desmond, what were your initial reactions when you heard what Giannis said in his interview with the Charlotte Observer?
Desmond Mason: Honestly? I was shocked. And hurt. Giannis and I became close at last year's The Main Board Sim League Up-and-Coming Small Forwards Against the Consumption and Sale of Marijuana Tournament (TMBSLUaCSFAtCaSoMT) in Barcelona. We would drink rosé together -- we weren't in the U.S. and it was legal -- and tell grand stories of what it was like growing up in Texas and Greece. We shared a ton of laughs at the differences in culture, but always made sure we were respectful of those differences.
To see how he has been changed in just a few short weeks is nothing short of saddening. Giannis was an inspiring young man with a passion for the game and a desire to win. Now it's become clear that he's been corrupted by the Charlotte front office, as everyone else who has played there clearly has, into becoming a real selfish and disappointing human being. He's also a disappointment to all of the children he initially inspired at the TMBSLUaCSFAtCaSoMT, as I've heard he now smokes marijuana almost daily with the Hornets front office. It's no wonder they manage their team like a group of schizophrenics. I sincerely hope all of them seek help.
CK: Strong words for a young man you once considered a friend, as well as the Hornets organization. If you could send Giannis a message right now, what would it be?
DM: I'd tell him that I know there's still some humanity in there. You're only 19 and you have a long life in front of you, both in this league and when you retire. Don't let the front office there ruin you as it has so many others. You, Kostas, and Alexis all come from a beautiful family and there's no need to resort to childish name-calling as everyone else in that organization does.
CK: Have you spoken to Giannis since the comments in The Charlotte Observer were published?
DM: I have. I called him as soon as they were published because they seemingly came out of nowhere. He let me know that he feels really handcuffed by the organization over there and that he spoke out in a moment of weakness. He loves basketball but he said it's only taken a few weeks for it to become a chore for him. Apparently he was told upon being drafted that Charlotte had won multiple championships, but as soon as he learned how to use Wikipedia he discovered they'd never won more than 27 games or made the playoffs. He had no idea how bleak the situation was. It's truly unfortunate. He said he hopes the next four years pass by quickly so that he can finally leave what he described as a "rotting, festering corpse" of an organization.
CK: Wow, strong words. How did you respond?
DM: I said, "We'll see you soon, Giannis." I can't wait for him to come to Chicago. It's almost a foregone conclusion. We already have another great friend of mine, Antawn, playing the three, but Giannis said he'd rather ride the bench here than have his name associated with Charlotte.
CK: I can only imagine what kind of problems this will cause with the league office. How do you think the two of you have stacked up in head-to-head matchups so far?
DM: Well, we've played the Hornets twice and won by an average of 31.5 points, and those two wins are the only stat that I care about. Basketball is a team game and no matter how many times I might posterize Giannis -- and I make sure all proceeds from the posters sold with my likeness go to anti-marijuana charities -- that's not what's important here.
But if I must elaborate, I feel good about our head-to-head matchups. I'm averaging 27 points on 57.5% shooting and 10.5 rebounds per game against the Hornets. I know their general manager said some very disparaging things when the Bulls showed their faith in drafting me, and I'm enjoying proving my doubters wrong.
Overall, I think it ultimately comes down to a very apparent case of trader's remorse. You might remember that the pick the Bulls used to select me was acquired from Charlotte in exchange for Brad Daugherty and the 24th pick the previous year, which they then sent to the Miami Heat as part of a package for the 13th pick, which was used to select Sarunas Jasikevicius, one of the league's best young point guards.
Brad, of course, got out of Charlotte as quickly as he was able and now plays in Los Angeles after the two years in Charlotte that hopefully don't stunt his development permanently.
I thank God every day that the Hornets traded that pick to the Bulls and I plan to reward the city of Chicago for years to come.
CK: I don't think most of our readers knew the domino effect that trade truly had. Thank you for explaining. You seem to be a very intelligent young man off the court and a true student of the game.
DM: This game is my life and it means everything to me. I eat, sleep, and drink basketball. I hope for the best for every young man who is fortunate enough to suit up in TMBSL because we are a truly special bunch of people. We shouldn't spend so much time trying to bring each other down. Rather, we should constantly focus on lifting one another up, and that's the message I'd like every child reading this to take home with them.
CK: Well, Desmond, it's truly been a pleasure. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to sit down with us.
DM: Of course. Blessed be God forever.
