After a game 5 loss that led to the end of the Milwaukee Bucks season, Giannis Antetokounmpo passionately explained why the season was not a failure during a postgame interview.
The two-time MVP took a deep breath, ran his hand over his face and hair and then dove into the question Eric Nehm of The Athletic asked that Antetokounmpo didn’t love. The Bucks star took this opportunity to educate the audience on why “there’s no failure in sports.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Clapped Back At Reporter When Asked If The Season Was A Failure
Nehm, a beat reporter for the Bucks, asked Antetokounmpo if he considered this season to be a failure after a loss that ended their season. Anyone watching could tell that Antetokounmpo wasn’t pleased with the question, but the star basketball player took the opportunity to educate on why there’s no failure in sports.
“Oh my god. You asked me the same question last year Eric,” Antetokounmpo began his heated response.
“Do you get a promotion every year? In your job? No, right? So is every year you work is a failure, yes or no? No. Every year you work, you work towards something, towards a goal, which is to get a promotion, to be able to take care of your family, I don’t know, provide a house for them, or take care of your parents. You work towards a goal. It’s not a failure, it’s a step stool to success.”
He then caught himself in his rant and said, “I don’t want to make it personal.” Antetokounmpo then gave an example that’s clear to understand for anyone still confused if there are failures in sports.
“Michael Jordan played 15 years, won six championships,” he said. “The other nine years were a failure? That is what you are telling me? I’m asking you a question, yes or no?”
Nehm must have responded no in the background because Antetokounmpo then said, “Ok, exactly, so why you ask me that question?”
View this post on Instagram
He continued to explain why there are “no failure in sports.”
“It’s the wrong question. There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days and bad days. Some days you are able to be successful, some days you are not,” he said. “Some days it’s your turn, some days it’s not your turn, and that’s what’s sports about, you don’t always win, some other people are going to win. And this year somebody else is going to win.”
Antetokounmpo continued his rant by saying next year they’ll come back and try again for the championship. He reiterated the fact that from 1971 to 2001 when the Bucks didn’t win a championship, it shouldn’t be considered a failure. “It was steps to it. We were able to win one,” he said. “Hopefully we can win another one.”
Fans Left Their Thoughts In The Comment Section About The Interview And Season
Official NBA Buzz shared the postgame interview on Instagram and many took to the comment section to say what was on their minds about the interview and the season. Many thought what Antetokounmpo had to say was far from a rant, and more of an excellent way to respond to such a question after a hard-hitting loss.
“I wouldn’t consider this a rant at all. This is probably one of the most intelligent and thoughtful answers any athlete has ever given a reporter. I’ve never in my life liked Giannis, but after that man, fan for life,” one fan wrote.
“Not a rant, probably the best answer he could of given to the question,” wrote another.
Another fan pointed out that Antetokounmpo wasn’t able to play all the game because of injury. “You can’t blame him when he was injured and out for three games. Still came back and do a 26 pts triple double and a 38/20 games 🥱 Giannis just speaking facts.”
