Giannis Antetokounmpo apologizes for saying he'd punch Mario Hezonja in the nuts, but stands by the message

Sometimes, a man has to stand by his principles.

For Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of those principles is apparently dealing physical punishment to an opponent’s groin if they show him up like New York Knicks forward Mario Hezonja did on Saturday.

Dawn of a beef: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Mario Hezonja

During the Milwaukee Bucks’ game against the Knicks, Hezonja intercepted a pass at the top of the key and immediately raced down the court for a breakaway attempt. Antetokounmpo raced from behind to try and block Hezonja’s massive dunk, but he was too late.

That was bad enough for Antetokounmpo, but then came the disrespect. As Antetokounmpo fell to the ground, a triumphant Hezonja stepped over the Bucks star and started hyping up the Madison Square Garden crowd.

Antetokounmpo didn’t take to kindly to the whole episode, telling reporters after the game that he was “gonna punch him in the nuts next time.”

Alright then.

Giannis Antetokounmpo apologizes for statement he says he definitely meant

Unfortunately for fans of good old fashioned NBA beef, Antetokounmpo partially walked back his comments two days later.

“What I said, I meant it. I don’t take words back,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’ve got to do a better job. I’m a role model for a lot of kids. Seeing kids in the row and saying ‘Yeah, punch him in the, you know,’ it’s not a good feeling and I felt terrible about that. As a person, what I said, I meant it, but I have to choose better words.”

So Antetokounmpo is sorry that children are starting to embrace the violence he described, but he also said he meant what he said multiple times. It’s hard to say what Antetokounmpo exactly plans to do the next time he sees Hezonja, but it definitely seems like something to keep an eye on.

In case you were wondering, the Bucks’ next game against the Knicks comes on Dec. 25. Merry Christmas, everybody.

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