From Michael Jordan crying with the Larry O’Brien trophy after winning his first NBA championship to JR Smith going shirtless for the summer after the Cavs won, several celebratory moments in the NBA have been etched into the minds of fans. While different teams may win the championships year by year, one thing that was common in each of the consecutive celebrations was a bottle of bubbly! In the aftermath of the Milwaukee Bucks winning the NBA Cup by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, expectations may have been for the champagne to be popped then too. However, even the celebratory mood was not enough to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to indulge in the same.

During the post-game presser, the ‘Greek Freak’ revealed: “I don’t drink.” Why?

Well, because “Last time I drink a little bit of champagne, when we win the championship, I had like a full body cramp.” As several media members let out a laugh, Giannis continued, “So, I try to stay away from it. I don’t know who’s superstitious, but I think the champagne should be in the locker room. Guys who celebrate this, you never know if you’re going to be in this stage again.”

Despite breaking away from this tradition, Antetokounmpo did admit that “For sure, we’re gonna have a formal celebration. I don’t know what’s it gonna be”.

Giannis’s “when we win the championship” was a reference to the aftermath of the 2023 NBA Finals. The Milwaukee Bucks had defeated the Miami Heat to not secure the ‘Greek Freak’s first championship title. Furthermore, it was also the franchise’s first one in exactly four decades!

The ‘Celebratory Giannis’ of that moment was different than the current one. After all, he drenched himself in the customary champagne shower. In fact, by wearing the goggles beforehand, he prepared himself! He passed around cigars. He held one himself in one hand while holding the NBA Finals MVP trophy in the other hand.

That celebratory scene was missing this time around. However, it is important to note that the Bucks did not win the official NBA championship and that they still have a long road ahead of them. Furthermore, Giannis had a good personal reason for avoiding the champagne too.

The 30-year-old is certainly someone who is not too much conscious about what he eats. He stays fit and follows a strict diet like any other athlete. However, on occasion, the ‘Greek Freak’ has also been seen indulging in popcorn and some other snacks. His wife Mariah Riddlesprigger, once highlighted how Giannis was spending the night before a crucial Game 5 by filling up the jars with Oreos. However, one bad experience is all it may take for a person to refrain from indulging in something specific. Giannis believes that the champagne gave him cramps. Therefore, he certainly would not want to risk going through the ordeal again.

“Playing together. Going in at night—not drinking.” Doc Rivers set the ultimatum for his team with that quote. Fortunately, he may not have had to tell Giannis twice. After all, Rivers might know that Giannis Antetokounmpo will avoid a drink while he can.

However, there are still other methods through which one can convince the Bucks star to indulge in a drink from time to time.

Giannis Antetokounmpo once drank a beer during a post-game presser to pay tribute to Stone Cold Steve Austin: “I don’t usually drink”

Back in March 2022, after a game against the Sacramento Kings, Giannis Antetokounmpo wore a T-shirt that read “3:16”. For someone who wasn’t aware of its meaning, Giannis may have been simply highlighting the date at that moment, which was March 16. However, fans often use that same day to pay tribute to Stone Cold Steve Austin. It is about one of the WWE star’s most famous catchphrases.

Taking a dig against Jake Roberts, Austin had said: “Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your a**!”

Over the years, several other NBA players like LeBron James, Damian Lillard, and Kevin Love have worn the “3:16” t-shirt. However, if Giannis had already gone that far, the media members wanted him to take his tribute a little further!

As the ‘Greek Freak’ sat down during the post-game presser, he didn’t waste time in opening a can of beer that he had brought along with him. Before anyone could even ask, he exclaimed, “I don’t usually drink, but Im’ma take a sip”. When a reporter asked if he could drink it like Stone Cold, the Bucks star admitted, “I can’t do that”. One sip and Giannis immediately put the beer away. As the reporters laughed, he exclaimed, “Just Nasty. Hell na”.

Well, props to the guy for at least trying!

Giannis may be excused this time around. However, if his team does win the NBA championship again, he will have no choice but to participate in the festivities.