Giannis Antetokounmpo, the face of the Milwaukee Bucks and one of the NBA’s most recognizable stars, recently expressed his frustration with the league’s decision to leave the Bucks off the Christmas Day schedule for the first time in six years. Speaking to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Giannis speculated about the reasoning behind the decision, suggesting it might come down to an algorithm or a popularity contest.
“I’m a little bit upset or kind of questioning it. But I really believe there’s probably an algorithm that takes place within the NBA that shows who is the most attractive team or which team gets the most attention for them to be able to play in the Christmas game.”
“There’s gotta be an algorithm because if it’s — how can I say — like a popularity contest, I can give you facts. You want me to? Two of the NBA All-Star starters, Dame and Giannis, and the All-Star MVP, right? And the No. 1 vote-getter — not in the East, in the whole NBA — is not in the Christmas game? What? No, it’s a fact.”
“The votes came out last year. I was the No. 1. Dame was a starter. I was a starter. Dame won the MVP. Dame won the 3-point contest. Maybe that has nothing to do with it. I believe we were one of the best teams in the East last year.”
“Maybe not this year, OK. We don’t get a Christmas game. Why? Because we got a small market? Maybe that’s the case. Or I want to believe what I tell you, I think there’s an algorithm within the NBA that they choose which team will get the most attention, the most viewership that day.”
“I’m pissed, but I’m happy at the same time because I get to for the first time since 2017 — yeah, 2017 was the last time I actually spent Christmas like a regular person, I didn’t play a noon game.”
“I get to, for once, sit on my couch and be entertained and watch NBA basketball, be entertained by other players and not the one doing the entertaining. So, yeah, I was pissed, but then 20 minutes later, I was like, ‘No Christmas game, huh? I get to spend the day with my kids and open presents.’”
“Like, you don’t take it for granted because like, LeBron plays, Steph plays, all of these big-time players play in Christmas games all the time in their career and they miss valuable moments.”
“Like, we miss so much valuable moments from our lives and I’m a person that I try to not take things for granted. And if this is how it should be, this is how it should be.”
The Bucks, who currently hold a 15-12 record and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, also recently won the NBA Cup. Giannis is averaging an incredible 32.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists this season, arguably his best yet, while Damian Lillard has found his rhythm, averaging 25.7 points and 7.5 assists.
The Bucks’ absence from the Christmas schedule raises questions about how the league selects teams for its premier holiday event. Milwaukee’s consistent success, the global appeal of Giannis, and Lillard’s All-Star resume make their omission puzzling. The Bucks, who boast one of the best records over the past six seasons and are former NBA champions, seem deserving of the spotlight.
In the meantime, Giannis and his teammates will enjoy the rare holiday off, recharging for what they hope will be a long playoff run. However, the decision will likely fuel their motivation to prove their worth in court and reclaim their place on Christmas Day next year.
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