Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t having any part of this reporter’s question after being asked about the Milwaukee Bucks season.
The question came following the Bucks and Miami Heat game on Wednesday (April 26) night.
Giannis snapped at a reporter who asked if the season was a failure because the Bucks went from the top seed in the Eastern Conference to a 4-1 first-round loser. The status changed after the Bucks lost Wednesday’s game 128-126.
“It’s not a failure,” Antetokounmpo said in a video tweeted by NBA TV. “It’s steps to success. There’s always steps to it. Michael Jordan played 15 years, won six championships, The other nine years [were] a failure? That’s what you’re telling me?
He continued: “… It’s the wrong question. There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days. Some days you’re successful, some days you’re not. Some days it’s your turn, some days it’s not your turn.”
He said that losing is a part of the sport and seemingly didn’t place much stock in his team’s losing playoff performances.
“And that’s what sports is about. You don’t always win. Sometimes other people win. And this year, somebody else is going to win, simple as that.”
Giannis made 38 points (14-27 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 10-23 FT), 20 rebounds, and three assists across 42 minutes during Wednesday’s overtime loss to Miami in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, per ESPN.
Expectations were high going into the 2023 playoffs for Giannis and the Bucks, who were just two years removed from winning their first NBA championship in 50 years in 2021, as reported by The Shade Room at the time.
That year, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to snatch the championship.
With a final score of 105 to 98, the Milwaukee Bucks did what many believed was impossible–winning their very first NBA Championship since 1971.
The Bucks claimed the trophy with the help of Giannis, their superstar player, who scored a massive 50 points during the game. He also earned 14 rebounds and five blocked shots.
