Editor’s note: Shortly after the end of select NBA games this season, Joe Vardon will offer his “First Thoughts,” a dissection of the important things you should know about what you just watched. These will be a running diary of news, notes, quotes and insight and will include observations gathered from the site of each game. Vardon is covering his sixth NBA season and formally joined The Athletic’s national team in September.



MILWAUKEE — Thirty thoughts for the 30 points the Bucks’ bench blistered the Lakers’ reserves by in a 111-104 win for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team.



1. Giannis is the present and the future of the NBA. LeBron is its past, but has come storming back into its present. And they collided in Milwaukee Thursday.



2. Giannis is the NBA’s reigning MVP and LeBron has four of them to his name. They are frontrunners again this season. Giannis was vicious Thursday with 34 points, 11 boards, and...