After the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated in embarrassing fashion by the Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo made headlines all over the sports world on his comments about failure. When asked by Eric Nehm of The Athletic if this season was a failure, Giannis stated, “There is no failure in sports.” He went on to explain that nothing in sports is a failure if one uses a disappointment to get better. Later, Giannis posted a video of his press conference with one that NBA legend Kobe Bryant had in which he expressed a similar viewpoint:
It's steps to success. pic.twitter.com/PpVgec57ov
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) May 10, 2023
While there were some fans and members of the media that blew back at Giannis for his comments, for the most part, it has been considered a good perspective. However, the reason that Giannis is quote-un-quote allowed to have that perspective is because of how hard he works. There is no player in the NBA that puts in as much work as Giannis, who strives to get better every day like Giannis.
That is why when Joel Embiid, who is known for his flopping and whining, tried to quote Giannis following his Game Seven loss to the Boston Celtics, social media tore him apart.
Joel Embiid Tries to Channel Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo
After the 76ers lost Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, a series in which MVP Embiid averaged nearly 10 points less per game than he did in the regular season (the biggest disparity for a MVP winner in NBA history, by the way), he said the following:
Joel Embiid with a smile: “Like someone said: it’s not a failure, it’s a step to success.” pic.twitter.com/HYTeXykH6w
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) May 14, 2023
Listen, there is no denying that Embiid is a great player; but this is a man who has never been able to get his team past the second round of the playoffs. This is a man who, rather than work hard on and off the court, flops and cries when touched. Injuries? Giannis hyperextended his knee and was back within a couple weeks to help lead the Bucks to a Championship. Embiid? He has never done anything to display that he has that kind of heart. That is why fans went after him on Twitter following his media session:
The "someone" that originally said it led his team to a championship and has multiple MVP titles. The disrespect is real. https://t.co/md8Bj3Iu5p
— Daron Wolf (@WolfDaron_5) May 15, 2023
he got his mvp,, this man don't care,, he's a loser😭 https://t.co/dKgKyhcY0v
— i move so far in time (@ezrakaiz) May 15, 2023
Embiid looked terrible on the court yesterday but he might have looked even worse off it. Between pouting in game 6 to looking like a child after choking in game 7 he looked nothing like a franchise cornerstone he claims to be. https://t.co/xt7y0lRXKw
— FrankieV UHND ☘️ (@FrankieV_UHND) May 15, 2023
What an unserious person. Giannis might literally rip his head off in the paint next season https://t.co/RkbG4OFoew
— reid (@ThatOneKidReid) May 15, 2023
@JoelEmbiid Idk what's so funny giannis has been a champion so he knows the steps it takes to get success you haven't won anything at college or nba level so humble yourself and get in the lab and find a way to improve your non existent playoff resumé ,you are a failure https://t.co/1tKLImJUe4
— André-FCB🇪🇦 (@andre_sapphire) May 15, 2023
This one is the best:
Dear Joel Embiid,
The person who said this is an NBA CHAMPION. The person who said this brought his franchise their first championship in 50 years. The person who said this had 38 & 20 in his elimination game. Don’t borrow Giannis’ quote unless you borrow his heart as well! https://t.co/Fhw4AnDsxr
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) May 15, 2023
Well stated: Embiid best stop trying to be Giannis at the podium because he isn’t anywhere close to Giannis in the lab.
What a joke.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
