TOKYO — Basketball can plant a person in the most unforeseen of circumstances. For Donte DiVincenzo, in this particular moment, it’s a Starbucks in Tokyo. On the way out, he will be rushed by a group of Japanese fans in search of a selfie, autograph or both, calling him out by name in a country he’s never been to before.
But first, he’s telling a story. He recalls the Orlando bubble, which was one of the most bizarre events in NBA history. DiVincenzo was in his second season. His Milwaukee BucksThey were in the second round. It was held at Disney World Campus. There were no fans. To the outside world, the pressure might’ve felt minimized. But that isn’t DiVincenzo’s memory.
“I just remember my hands were so sweaty at the (free-throw) line,” he said. “Two free throws and we were down one. Season on the line. Five seconds left.”
DiVincenzo undersold it. In fact, there were only 1.9 seconds remaining. The Bucks were trailing the HeatThe series is at the brink of being swept. The context is crucial. The vultures were seen circling the area. Giannis Antetokounmpo situation. The speculation was running wild about his future, and the collateral damage that a sweep would do to it. Would he be willing to ask for a woman? What if the coach was fired? What about the rest of his team?
The unestablished second-year guard was the last man standing between a cave door and an offseason avalanche.
“I’m sitting at the free-throw line and miss the first one,” he said.
