Enjoy each other, Antetokounmpo responds to LeBron James "No Bag" criticism

As the Lakers and Bucks are about to enter a critical offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo defended LeBron James and refuted the criticism of "No Bag".

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo this week refuted critics who long claimed the Los Angeles Lakers forward "No Bag" despite his legendary achievements.

Antetokounmpo spoke on X (formerly Twitter) after James and Steve Nash hosted the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast. James, 40, is about to celebrate his 23rd NBA season, and he talks about the long-standing debate about his offensive skills.

"I'm sitting here and I've scored 50 billion points - NBA history scoring champion. No Bag? That proves that," James said on the show, referring to the labels that are often used to question his ball-handling and creating a shooting style.

Antetokounmpo responded shortly after the show aired.

"If anyone believes in No Bag, one of the greatest players in the world... I've seen it all, man," Antetokounmpo wrote.

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo face key offseason decisions, but mutual respect still exists

James and Antetokounmpo have admired each other for years. Earlier in the 2024-25 NBA season, James was a guest at the Pat McAfee Show, praising the two-time MVP while humorously imagining his dominance in the past era.

"You want to tell me that Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't play the NBA in the 1970s?" James said. "Giannis Antetokounmpo was able to score 250 points in a single game in the 1970s. 250 points."

James ended his 22nd season as the NBA's all-time scoring champion with a career total of 42,184 points, and recently became the first player in league history to score 50,000 points in regular season and playoff totals. He has won the NBA championship four times, won the MVP four times, and won the Olympic gold medal three times.

James has a $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. He has not announced whether he will choose the free agent market or try to try the free agent market.

Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks seemed full of uncertainty after the Bucks' first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers (the latter who eventually won the Eastern Conference championship). However, the 30-year-old has hinted at the possibility of a return in a recent comment on the Coast to Coast Brazil website.

"I support great basketball...The Finals are different, and I hope to return with the Bucks soon," Antetokounmpo said.

After another early exit in the playoffs, the Bucks will now enter a critical offseason, hoping to reorganize around Antetokounmpo.

As for James, his comments about "Mind the Game" and Antetokounmpo's public defense of himself add a new chapter to the ongoing discussion around his playing style—and the lasting impact of his career that constantly challenges routines and criticisms.