NBA refs ejected Giannis Antetokounmpo against the Pistons for the most pathetic reason

It’s always great when officials make the game about themselves, isn’t it?

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Good morning, Winners! Happy Thursday! I hope you’re well. Thank you for reading the Morning Win this morning.

Don’t you love it when officials make themselves the main story of a game? Isn’t it just the best?

We need to thank Rodney Mott and his officiating crew for the Pistons-Bucks game on Wednesday night for giving us a show. Because, boy, did they make that game as interesting as possible.

The Bucks had a healthy 11-point lead on the Pistons with nine minutes left in the third quarter. Then this happened.

Antetokounmpo was ejected for *checks notes* dunking really hard on someone. Then he did the too-small celebration. It was a fun moment where a star showed a bit of emotion! No wonder he was ejected. We don’t like emotion in our basketball, right? You tell ’em, refs.

The Pistons were down 13 when Giannis left. Detroit took a 10-point lead into the third quarter. This completely shifted the game. The officials were the night’s main thing, and that’s never supposed to happen.

Officials explained the ejection and, well, you’re not going to like it.

“After the Dunk Giannis turns to his opponent and taunts him and a taunting technical foul was called, an unsportsmanlike. And he was ejected from the game, per rule, because two unsportsmanlike technical fouls, you are ejected from the game.” 

The first technical, I get. Antetokounmpo reportedly cursed at an official after a no-call. You can’t do that unless you’re Draymond Green. But that second one? Come on, man.

Look. I don’t like talking about officials. They have a hard job to do and, generally, they do it well. Nobody gives them credit for it because we only care about the job when they mess it up.

But this? This was bad. And it feels like there’s been a lot more inconsistency from officials so far this season with calls like this one.

Let’s hope they set things straight before the big games start.

Never give up hope, Angels

Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels are putting their best foot forward in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes.

There are reportedly as many as 10 teams chasing Ohtani right now, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez writes, including big spenders like the Mets, Rangers, Yankees, Dodgers, and even the World Series Champion Rangers.

But the Angels aren’t lying inert here. LA is making moves to try and keep Ohtani around starting with the Ron Washington hire.

Now, look. It’s not foolproof. Washington hasn’t been a head manager of a team since he left the Rangers in 2014. He’s been the Braves third-base coach since 2017.

He was effective with Texas, though. Washington’s Rangers won two AL pennants and had an 18-16 postseason record. That’s better than literally anything the Angels have done since 2009. It’s worth the shot. Especially considering how bad the Angels’ farm system is. LA isn’t a great job.

But LA hopes Washington’s presence might show the generational star that the Angels are serious enough to prevent that.

We’ll see if he feels the same way about it when his decision finally comes.

MUST READ: Ranking all 30 of Shohei Ohtani’s most attractive free agency options

Welcome back, Paige Bueckers!

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been 584 days since Paige Bueckers touched a basketball court for the UConn Huskies.

Now, she’s back, folks.

The team had its season opener on Wednesday against Dayton. Bueckers finished with 8 points, seven rebounds and four assists. She didn’t shoot it well, but her game was as smooth as ever.

Not bad for someone returning from a torn ACL.

With Bueckers back in the lineup UConn has one of the most stacked squads in college basketball right now. Along with her,  Aaliyah Edwards and Azzi Fudd, you’ve got one of the most talented trios in college basketball. Their entire starting lineup is nothing to scoff at.

I’m not saying this team is a shoo-in to win the title. But Geno Auriemma’s squads are always going to be in the conversation. Watch out for the Huskies.

Quick hits: Why the ManningCast is flopping … Is Al Michaels done? … and more

— The MannigCast ratings are, uh, not great this season. It seems like people just want to watch their football! Mary Clarke has you covered on this one.

— Al Michaels hears all of your complaints about his enthusiasm — or the lack of it. He doesn’t see a difference! Andrew Joseph has more.

— Joel Embiid MVP odds are looking sweet right now. Thank you, James Harden. Prince Grimes has more.

— Travis Kelce is following Taylor Swift on tour. That’s nice, huh? Charles Curtis has more.

— The Bears win either way tonight on Thursday night football! Charles Curtis has more.

— I cannot imagine losing $10 betting on Kent State. But $1.5 million?!? Nah. You’d never see me again. Ben Fawkes has more.

That’s all, folks. Thanks so much for reading. Have a fantastic Thursday. I hope you’re off tomorrow! We’ll be here for you. Until next time, peace.

-Sykes ✌️