Giannis Antetokounmpo Snubbed From NBA All Defensive Teams: 'Tired Of The Disrespect'
By Melanie VanDerveer on May 10, 2023 at 3:30 PM EDT
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is known for sharing positive, uplifting, and hilarious content on social media. But today, he shared a post explaining how he feels about being snubbed from both NBA All-Defensive teams.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Was Left Off Both NBA All-Defensive Teams
The NBA All-Defensive teams were announced on Tuesday, and many people are frustrated with who was left off the teams, including Antetokounmpo. In an Instagram post, he shared his thoughts on the snub, "I'm tired of the disrespect. I'm coming."
In just an hour, the post received more than 600,000 likes and tons of comments, with some saying the NBA star's "villain arc" is here and others saying they need him "back in that mode."
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Antetokounmpo is already considered an all-time great at 28 and is a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. But he wasn't named to either of the 2022-2023 All-Defensive teams. However, two of his teammates; Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, were named on the first team.
According to Statmuse, Antetokounmpo's defensive rating for this season was 107.7, which is the best. Fans are confused about how he could be left off the All-Defensive team having that high rating, and the best, nonetheless.
"That's right, Giannis!! You have more of us backing you up than trying to bring you down 👏👏 🔥🔥," one fan wrote in the comments of Antetokounmpo's Instagram post.
Another added, "Didn't even put this man on 2nd team all defense, smh." One other fan wrote, "It's over for the league."
So, who made the teams? The first team consists of: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies; Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers; Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks; and Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls.
The second team is Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors; OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors; Derrick White, Boston Celtics; Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies; and Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat.
Complete voting results can be seen HERE.
NBA Buzz shared the "All-Snubbed Team" on Facebook. Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and others were on the bench.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Recently Explained Why This Season Was Not A Failure
After the game-five loss that ended the season for the Bucks, Eric Nehm of The Athletic asked Antetokounmpo if he considered the season a failure. Not happy about being asked that question again this year by the same reporter, the Bucks star took the opportunity to explain why "there's no failure in sports passionately."
"Do you get a promotion every year? In your job? No, right? So is every year you work 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 to success," Antetokounmpo said.
"Michael Jordan played 15 years and won six championships. The other nine years were a failure? That is what you are telling me? I'm asking you a question, yes or no?"
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Many NBA fans appreciated Antetokounmpo's response to being asked if the season was a failure. Some pointed out that he gave the perfect answer, mainly because he has many younger fans.
One fan thought he gave a great explanation: "Not a rant, probably the best answer he could have given to the question." Another fan added, "Thanks, Giannis, for a great motivation-speech for everyone in sports!"