The NBA playoffs are ongoing, but news surrounding teams that have been eliminated has dominated the headlines. The biggest headline of them all is the future of Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as his current team faces a crossroads after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
The Memphis Grizzlies face the same crossroads after their second first-round series loss in three seasons, sandwiched between a losing season. However, the Bucks star took to social media to have a little fun and answer fan questions amid the trade rumor reports.
While some questions were strictly basketball related, one question poked a little fun at a social media debate that has been going on for a couple of weeks. Giannis' answer to this question included a current Grizzlies player and a former Grizzlies player that he would team with in an off-the-court scenario.
Giannis chimed in on the 100 men vs 1 gorilla debate
Well, in a condensed version based on the NBA landscape of guys to team up to fight a gorilla. Giannis answered a question from a fan that asked him to pick four players that are non teammates to fight a silverback gorilla in a life or death situation in the middle of the jungle, and with no weapons.
Giannis responded with himself, Houston Rockets (and former Grizzlies) center Steven Adams, Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and Grizzlies center Zach Edey. None of those players are a shock as they are widely considered near the top of the league as the strongest players in the NBA.
Choosing Zach Edey was quite the compliment considering he just finished his rookie season, and some of his criticisms from his rookie season stemmed from being stronger. However, needing to build additional strength to handle the long NBA schedule is different from just having pure strength.
Giannis only played against Edey twice this season and chose him to go to battle with him against a silverback gorilla amongst his peers that he has played against for several seasons. In the Edey's two games against the Bucks, he averaged 12 points, 9.5 rebounds, and one block as the Grizzlies defeated Giannis and the Bucks by double-digit points in both games.
Garnering that respect this early in his career from one of the game's best players bolds well for Edey's future in the league. Furthermore, it helps Memphis' case to be a trade destination for Giannis if he ultimately decides to force a trade out of Milwaukee.