Apparently, all Giannis Antetokounmpo actually desires for Christmas is to play basketball. Historically, enjoying on today is seen as one of many league’s most particular dates on the NBA calendar, and the Bucks don’t perceive why they received’t be one of many 10 groups that may compete.
Prior to now six campaigns, Milwaukee has been scheduled to play on December twenty fifth, however this run lastly got here to an finish this 2024. The Greek famous person was the primary to touch upon this choice, as a lot of his teammates addressed the media with the identical doubts.
The 2-time league MVP confessed he was “slightly bit upset or type of questioning” the league’s schedule which didn’t embrace the Wisconsin membership within the Christmas Day festivities. “There’s gotta be an algorithm as a result of if it’s — how can I say — like a recognition contest, I may give you information,” he informed the press.
Giannis Antetokounmpo calls out the NBA for not scheduling him, Damian Lillard, and the Bucks to play on Christmas Day
“There’s gotta be an algorithm as a result of if it’s — how can I say — like a recognition contest, I may give you information. You need me to? Two of the NBA All-Star… pic.twitter.com/iWGUVvrQJm
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 23, 2024
“You need me to? Two of the NBA All-Star starters, Dame [Lillard] and Giannis, and the All-Star MVP, proper? And the No. 1 vote-getter — not within the East, in the entire NBA — will not be within the Christmas sport? What? No, it’s a truth,” he insisted on Wednesday. “The votes got here out final yr. I used to be the No. 1. Dame was a starter. I used to be a starter. Dame received the MVP. Dame received the 3-point contest. Possibly that has nothing to do with it.”
Giannis then added: “I consider we had been the most effective groups within the East final yr. Possibly not this yr, OK. We don’t get a Christmas sport. Why? As a result of we bought a small market? Possibly that’s the case. Or I need to consider what I let you know, I believe there’s an algorithm inside the NBA that they select which staff will get probably the most consideration, probably the most viewership that day.”
Not solely have the Bucks received 5 of their final six outings going into Monday night time’s sport towards Chicago, however in addition they simply took some the NBA Cup after beating the Thunder in Las Vegas. After a poor begin of the season, the staff is again to being one of many Japanese Convention contenders.
“Quite a lot of groups play on Christmas, so it’s not prefer it’s two or 4 groups and we gotta work out who we’re going to select in these spots,” Brook Lopez echoed his squad’s sentiment. “No, they’ve lots of video games on Christmas. So, yeah, I do assume it’s disrespectful, however I don’t make the schedule. I don’t know the way that occurred.”
