Getty Image / Stacy Revere
It can’t really be argued that Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Anteteokounmpo is one of the best NBA players, not just now, but in the history of the league. The two-time MVP is known as the Greek Freak for a reason, as his combination of freakish size, length, athleticism and skill has him already in the pantheon of all-time greats at just 28 years old.
And, he’s already won an NBA Championship, doing so in 2021 when the Bucks defeated the Suns in six games in the NBA finals. But, he fell way short in these playoffs, and his reputation will be tarnished forever.
It’s not all the fault of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he was injured on a hard fall in game 1 and missed games 2 and 3. Still, he came back with the Bucks trailing just 2-1 in the series. In Game 4, the Bucks led most of the game, only to see Heat star Jimmy Butler go absolutely nuclear and steal the game.
But, the Bucks returned home on Wednesday, looking to make the series 3-2. Once again, the Bucks had a big lead, this time up 103-87 after three quarters. But, a massive choke job led by Giannis Antetokounmpo let them back in the game. And, this Jimmy Butler shot sent the game to overtime.
JIMMY BUTLER SENDS GAME 5 TO OT 😱
HE'S GOT 40 PTS. UNBELIEVABLE.
📺: NBA TV pic.twitter.com/x9AGDSlxpC
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2023
And, the Bucks collapsed in overtime, as this sequence by Giannis Antetokounmpo was a huge turning point in the final minute.
Giannis called for a foul on a deep 3-point attempt! pic.twitter.com/vBcoJG1hsU
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 27, 2023
And this final possession with the game on the line was a total disaster.
“It’s Grayson Allen time” -Grayson Allenpic.twitter.com/iOcuBRXwMw
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 27, 2023
And, Giannis Antetokounmpo was terrible down the stretch. His raw statline of 38 points and 20 rebounds is good, but the fourth quarter and overtime outweighed any of that.
Giannis in the 4th + OT
3-12 from the field
3-9 from the Free throw line
3 turnovers-18 +/-
16 point lead blown & lost to the 8th seed
One of the worst chokes ever pic.twitter.com/S707fyv4A5
— 🏀 (@VelocityDimes) April 27, 2023
10-23 overall from the foul line isn’t going to cut it. Now, he’s getting a ton of criticism on Twitter.
All I know is that Giannis is NOT the Best Player on the Planet, as I keep hearing on Undisputed.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 27, 2023
Not even joking Giannis choked the hardest out of any player I’ve Ever seen in the history of all history of nba
— AR15THEDEMON (@AR15thed3mon) April 27, 2023
That was an all-time collapse by Giannis and the Bucks against a team who almost lost in the play-in.
If Joel Embiid & the Sixers did that, we’d never hear the end of it.
Keep the same energy.#BrotherlyLove #Sixers 🔵🔴
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) April 27, 2023
This Giannis collapse is stunning
— Phil (@BigCountryPhil) April 27, 2023
Giannis pulled off one of the biggest choke job in NBA history and these “analysts” tried telling me he’s the “best in the world” 🤣🤣
— Dani (@Danizeh) April 27, 2023
Better luck next year, I guess.
The Miami Heat advance to play the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.