LONDON — Perhaps cocky young Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t care or didn’t realize the Knicks were getting back $45 million worth of talent Thursday night at O2 Arena in Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, who were upgraded to probable following the morning shootaround.
The Bucks routed the Knicks by 25 points during the preseason and have beaten them twice in the regular season, including 95-82 earlier this month at the Garden. Neither Stoudemire nor Anthony played in the game on Jan. 4.
“The Greek Freak’’ stated Wednesday the Knicks “lose 15 [straight] now. Tomorrow is going to be 16.’’ He spoke in reference to wanting his older brother Thanasis, a Knicks second-round draft pick last summer, to be signed to the roster because of their losing state.
Asked at the shootaround if he’s hoping the Bucks are overconfident, judging from that remark, Knicks coach Derek Fisher said, “I don’t care what the Bucks are thinking. It’s irrelevant to me.’’
Informed of the Greek Freak’s boast, Stoudemire said, “It’s fine. Teams are going to look at us as if we’re not playing well, and we’re not at this point. We have to do our job and bring our ‘A’ game every night and try to get a win tonight.’’
“If they’re overconfident or not confident enough, we’re going to have to catch them anyway,’’ Anthony said. “Why not catch them today in London? That’s the way I feel about it.’’
Before the morning shootaround, Fisher said he expected the two stars to play unless there was a setback. Anthony seemed a bit more cautious. But Anthony is expected to play through the All-Star Game at the Garden in mid-February as he ails from what could be loose cartilage in his left knee.
“If I can play All-Star Weekend, that would be a good thing,’’ Anthony said Thursday morning. “For me, it’s taking it one day at a time. All-Star Weekend is next month, and I still don’t know about tonight.’’
Stoudemire expects to be on a minutes limit for the rest of the season.
Fisher said Andrea Bargani could get better treatment on his calf strain staying at home than making the London trip. There was speculation that Bargnani not making the trip was evidence the Knicks had given up on him and were considering buying him out if they couldn’t trade him by next month’s deadline.