Giannis vs. Milwaukee, Blazers earn their flowers, Coach Lowry?

Welcome to From The Logo, a collection of opinions, analysis, and locker room insights from theScore's lead NBA reporter, Joseph Casciaro.

Giannis vs. Milwaukee

Giannis Antetokounmpo has gone out of his way to proclaim his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks, making clear that he's not the type of superstar who'll force his way out of town. But actions speak louder than words, and it's starting to feel like the beginning of a potentially contentious final chapter of the partnership.

Antetokounmpo, who has made a habit of returning boos while competing on the road, raised eyebrows Tuesday when he booed his home fans in response during a humiliating loss. Those paying customers had every right to voice their displeasure, as the Bucks lost by 33 points (in a game they were favored) to the Anthony Edwards-less, Rudy Gobert-less Timberwolves.

Performances like that are why the Bucks sit outside the Eastern Conference's postseason picture halfway through the season. At 17-24, Milwaukee trails 10th-place Atlanta by two games for the final play-in spot. Between an uninspiring roster and injuries limiting Antetokounmpo to 27 games, no one expected the Bucks to contend for a title. But playing at a 34-win pace is unacceptable, and The Greek Freak knows it.

A couple years ago, Antetokounmpo had a very different - and more reasonable - reaction when the Bucks earned boos in their home arena. Here's how his tune has changed since then.

Antetokounmpo knows damn well that the boos were fair. He's also smart enough to know the jeers weren't directed at him but rather his lackluster team as a whole. No one is buying that Bucks fans are against him. Perhaps that's just the story Antetokounmpo has to concoct to ensure that when this relationship comes to an end - and if he goes back on his word - he looks like the victim instead of the bad guy.

Avdija's Blazers deserve praise

This blurb is for app user uofoduckfan, who wanted someone to acknowledge the surprising Trail Blazers, as Portland sits ninth in the West at 20-22.

Part of the reason that the Blazers find themselves in playoff contention is that the West's bottom half has completely fallen out, but they still deserve praise for how scrappy they've been. The young squad has absorbed a number of body blows over the first half of the season and lived to tell about it.

In October, head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of a federal probe into rigged poker games, gambling, and the mafia, with Tiago Splitter taking over on an interim basis (and on short notice). The Blazers have lost the most man-games and the third-most value to injury, according to Spotrac. They've played one of the league's toughest first-half schedules, with Portland's strength of schedule ranging from first to third, depending on the metric used. Finally, seven of the team's eight most frequently used players are 25 or younger.

That all should've been a recipe for disaster - or at least for tanking. Instead, the Blazers look intent to play for their postseason lives. The defensive work of franchise center Donovan Clingan and starter Toumani Camara has been commendable, while the continued maturation of Shaedon Sharpe, who's quietly averaging 21.5 points per game, has been encouraging. Jerami Grant has been a steady veteran presence, and Jrue Holiday recently returned to the lineup after a lengthy absence due to a calf strain. However, the biggest reason Portland is still playing for something this year is Deni Avdija.

The front-runner for Most Improved Player, Avdija has taken his game to another level. The 25-year-old is averaging roughly 26 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on 61% true shooting, continuing a trend that has seen him accomplish the rare feat of increasing his usage rate and efficiency in almost every season of his six-year career. Rival teams and fans may hate watching it, but Avdija's ability to draw fouls - whether it be by tricking his opponents or the officials - is an elite skill that's driving an All-Star-caliber season.

Of course, Avdija is much more than just a foul-baiter. He's a crafty, still-developing offensive star who can create for himself and others, leveraging the defensive attention he now commands. His playmaking vision is rapidly expanding (though his turnovers are a concern), his defensive floor remains solid, and he's on pace to play in at least 72 games for the fifth consecutive year.

The Trail Blazers have quite clearly stumbled upon a foundational star, and they'll eventually need to pay up to keep him. Clearing the veteran salaries of Grant and Holiday would aid Portland's ability to renegotiate and extend Avdija when the time comes (part of the reason I didn't love the Holiday acquisition), but it's a good problem to have. For now, Avdija is a rising star on the league's biggest bargain contract, owed just $25 million over the final two years of his declining deal. For context, the likely All-Star will earn 7.9% and 6.8% of the salary cap in 2026-27 and 2027-28, respectively.

You know who could desperately use such a star? The perpetually rebuilding Wizards, who traded Avdija (and his extremely valuable contract) for Malcolm Brogdon, Bub Carrington, two second-round picks, and the second-most favorable 2029 first-rounder via Portland, Boston, or Milwaukee. There's a reason teams like Washington remain bad.

Inside the locker room

What I'm hearing from players and people around the Association.

Coach Kyle Lowry?

Kyle Lowry returned to Toronto this week for what was likely the last time in his professional career. The future Hall of Famer received a hero's welcome - and send-off - north of the border. It was a touching moment for Lowry and a memorable one for his 76ers teammates, who value the wisdom he shares.

"Dating back to 2016 when we played (together) in the Olympics, he's always had that mentor, coach, older brother type of relationship with me," nine-time All-Star Paul George told theScore. "When you think of all the young guys we have on this team, he's just been a super valuable piece for us. He's an extension of the coaches. He's done a lot in this league, and he's got a lot to give to the next generation. It's special when you have someone with no agenda, whose only job here and only mentality and goal is to keep the young guys prepared and keep the locker room easy and locked in. He's thriving in this veteran leadership role."

George likened Lowry's role with the Sixers to the one former Heat big man Udonis Haslem held in Miami during a string of one-year deals despite his minimal on-court impact. "Those guys are the heart and soul of teams," George said. "A guy who just accepts his role, and his role is to be the fifth or sixth coach, but he's hands on with the guys. That's Kyle. Whether it's (about) coverages, whatever it is, he's talking just as much from the bench as the coaches are. It's refreshing to have someone on your side like that."

Rookie of the Year candidate VJ Edgecombe is trying to take advantage of the opportunity provided by Lowry's presence. "His IQ for the game is so high. I just try to pick his brain all the time and ask him questions," Edgecombe said. "I don't know what he's doing after this season, but he's been great for me, teaching me all the little things: how to take care of my body, little things he sees on the court. Nothing fazes him. He's been in bigger games than we've been playing. I was home watching him when (the Raptors) won the championship." (Edgecombe was 13 at the time.)

During his prime, Lowry was one of the league's smartest and most intense players but now sounds like a man at peace with his basketball mortality.

"As a competitive guy, of course you still want to play, but you understand the situation and your role," the 39-year-old told me. "We really do have great young individual players. We've got some really great guys in our locker room. My job is to pay it forward and give them all the information I have, that I received when I was young, and teach them things that I learned. I can talk to them about things I see that can make them better."

The natural question, then, is whether Lowry can see himself coaching upon his retirement. "Nope," Lowry shot back. "Simple answer for that one." When pressed for an explanation, the player who arrived in Toronto in 2012 labeled as a difficult youngster with a bad attitude was clear: "Because I know I'll probably run into somebody like me," Lowry laughed.

"I know I'm not easy to coach. I tip my hat to these coaches. They work hard, and I know the time they put in, and I just know you don't want to run into a guy like myself. It would be fun to do it, but when it's time to go home, at that point, I'm not coaching. I want to hang out with my kids and coach my kids."

Different sport, different perspective: A day after the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles were eliminated from the NFL playoffs, 76ers players and staffers were discussing their gridiron counterparts like sports-talk radio hosts. The consensus was that heads need to roll, jobs should be terminated, and trades have to be made following the Eagles' loss to the San Francisco 49ers. As I've noted before, pro athletes seem perfectly fine with hot takes and a rush to judgement when it doesn't concern them or their own sport.

Player of the week

Jamal Murray: 34.0 PPG, 69.2% TS, 7.0 APG, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 STL + BLK, 2-0 record

I considered Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trey Murphy III, and last week's winner, Kawhi Leonard, for this award, which takes into account games played since last Friday, but Murray deserves it. The Canadian guard was already enjoying a career year in Nikola Jokic's shadow but has leveled up with the three-time MVP sidelined. I expected the depleted Nuggets to struggle. Instead, Denver has gone a shocking 6-3 since losing Jokic, with road wins over the Celtics, 76ers, and Raptors. Murray averaged roughly 29 points and 10 assists in the six contests he suited up for, all but cementing his first All-Star selection.

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