NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s passionate statement on failure after his team’s disappointing exit from playoffs has been creating waves in the hoops community. Though a majority of the NBA world welcomed the statement, the Milwaukee Bucks star faced several harsh opinions. Days after Antetokounmpo’s statement, a former NBA Champion mocked Stephen Curry and Co after their Friday night loss with an indirect attack on Greek Freak’s statement.
The Golden State Warriors took on the Sacramento Kings in Game 6 with the hopes of sealing their spot in the Conference Semis. Despite the home-court advantage, the Dubs failed to secure the series, and the Kings forced Game 7. After the game, former NBA center Kendrick Perkins took to Twitter to attack the Dubs and the Bucks star in a single tweet.
Stephen Curry & Co get entangled in the crossfire
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After the Bucks’ exit, a reporter asked Giannis Antetokounmpo whether the season was a failure. The Bucks star, frustrated with the question, responded to the reporter with his perspective on failure. He said, “It’s a wrong question, there’s no failure in sports. There are good days, bad days…” Following the six-time NBA All-Star’s statement, several famous personalities like Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Will Smith gave their opinions on it.
As the latest entrant, Kendrick Perkins tweeted on the Dubs’ loss with an indirect dig at the Greek Freak. The tweet read, “Warriors getting smoked on your home court in a Game 6 isn’t a failure… it’s actually a baby step in the right direction towards success!!! Carry on…”
Warriors getting smoked on your home court in a Game 6 isn’t a failure… it’s actually a baby step in the right direction towards success!!! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 29, 2023
Even Shaq made a similar opinion on Live TV during his show, Inside the NBA.
Despite the poor performance on Friday night, it is unfortunate for the Dubs to get entangled in the crossfire. Malik Monk dropped in 28 points to seal the game 118-99 at the Chase Center.
Perkins left no stones unturned
Even though Shaq slightly agreed with Giannis’ stance but Kendrick Perkins outright rejected his opinion on failure with several tweets earlier as well. Moreover, he elaborated on his concern on Live TV. The former champion seemed upset with the rising support for the Bucks star on social media. He said, “I am not buying it and nobody else should buy it.” He further said that the gravity of the situation would have been different if LeBron James or Stephen Curry were in his place.
Are we SERIOUS? The Bucks season was a Complete Failure! Are we buying Giannis’s cop out press conference last night? I’m not. Carry the hell on… pic.twitter.com/YZVH2VOiZa
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 27, 2023
Faces of the league/number 1 seeds are branding “baby steps” over winning championships? That’s what we doin now?
See y’all on NBA Today on ESPN2! Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 27, 2023
Moreover, several other tweets speculated that Antetokounmpo’s PR team found a better way to divert public attention from the star’s disappointing series.
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Giannis PR team is special, he found a way to say getting cooked by Jimmy Butler and a play-in team is not a failure.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 29, 2023
Despite the criticisms of his statement, Antetokounmpo won many hearts even after losing round 1.
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Watch This Story – Despite long injury, Stephen Curry is eclipsing LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic
What do you make of Kendrick Perkins’ sly dig at Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Dubs? Will the Dubs give back a fitting reply in game 7? Let us know in the comments below.