"But the Bucks are 4-9 entering Sunday's play and a patient approach from the Rockets — provided they stick with it — could certainly set them up to be a credible future Antetokounmpo suitor in the event there is no turnaround to Milwaukee's campaign.

After Saturday's 115-114 win in Milwaukee, sideline reporter Shannon Spake asked Ball about the team's defensive strategy against Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on the game's final play, and Ball used an anti-gay term while delivering his answer.