Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comments about potentially walking away from the Milwaukee Bucks have garnered all sorts of reactions from across the basketball world. While some folks have been quick to criticize the seven-time All-Star for pretty much biting the hand that feeds him, others agreed that it was only right for Giannis to call out the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Draws Bold Criticism From Shannon Sharpe
NFL Hall of Famer turned sports analyst Shannon Sharpe has now spoken out about the Giannis saga. The newly hired ESPN anchor did not hold back in calling Antetokounmpo out for supposedly playing a key role in Milwaukee’s lack of championship-caliber talent:
“You got your brothers occupying two roster spots,” Sharpe said (h/t Karl Rasmussen of SI). “You know good and well, Giannis, your brothers, probably not going to be playing for any other team in the NBA except Milwaukee, and that’s only because of you.
“You keep talking about surrounding yourself with talent, there’s two spots that’s being occupied by your brothers.”
That’s savage. Sharpe pointed the finger back at Giannis for how he has supposedly put pressure on the organization to keep his two brothers, Thanasis and Alex, on the roster.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans React to Shannon Sharpe’s Call-Out
Milwaukee supporters are a pretty passionate bunch, which is why it comes as no surprise that fans clapped back at Sharpe for his blatant criticism of the Bucks superstar:
• Alex was waived the same day he was signed.
• Only one roster spot is taken up by his brother and it’s been that way for three seasons.
• The last roster spot on a contender isn’t doing anything.
— 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 (@Bucks_Take) September 20, 2023
This is literally not true. Alex is not on the roster
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) September 20, 2023
@ShannonSharpe needs to chill out. Didn't he say he doesn't get personal but just focuses on what you do on or off the court? Giannis' two brothers on the team doesn't hurt the Bucks' salary cap and is nowhere near sufficient to bring in a superstar player or even an All NBA…
— T-Keys2022 (@ASKomolafe) September 20, 2023
He is the star player, he can do whatever he wants! Don’t complain when Lebron trade the whole team!!
— Van (@vanman_1000) September 20, 2023
For what it’s worth, Thanasis has been on Milwaukee’s roster for the past four years. Alex, on the other hand, was signed on an Exhibit-10 contract earlier this summer before the team decided to waive him barely a week later. This was also the same case for Alex last summer.
Other folks also pointed out that it’s not as if the Bucks would have been able to add a couple of superstars if those two aforementioned roster spots weren’t occupied by Giannis’ brothers:
They’re minimum players man star power just doesn’t want to play in Milwaukee and the NBA only cares about big markets
— 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧 (@loganmcbride_) September 20, 2023
It was gonna be two bench warmers anyway, might as well be two bench warmers that you're cool with
— Andy (@AndyJPuente) September 20, 2023
Keeping your star player happy > 2 other players…
Star players always want to play with their friends & brothers…
— The Owl (@TheOwl_NFL) September 20, 2023
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have some supporters who believe that Shannon Sharpe is speaking the truth here:
And Shannon is absolutely right. Giannis is getting away with things he shouldn’t such as flaming out round 1. But when embiid is injured no one cares!
— DurantMuse (@DurantMuse_) September 20, 2023
About time someone said it about Giannis. Then he has the gut to complain and say if his team don’t improve he will leave when he is the one holding up on the roster. Not to talk of getting his coach fired and choosing his own
— Ball Room Service🏀 (@ballroomservice) September 20, 2023
FINALLY SOMEBODY SAID IT
— T.D.R (@TheDailyRaven) September 20, 2023
Fax!! And they don’t bring up giannis inconsistency in the playoffs!
— Raps gen⛈️ (@RaptorsGen) September 20, 2023
To say that this has become a polarizing subject would be a total understatement at this point.
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