Thanasis Antetokounmpo has recently been under a lot of criticism for his perceived lack of ability but continued job security on the Milwaukee Bucks. Damian Lillard has defended his teammate passionately, claiming Thanasis’ haters couldn’t beat him in a one-on-one.
“I see the stuff on social media about TA (Thanasis). A lot of guys might feel like they’re more talented or have more ability, but they could never take his spot. People try to be funny. I would put good money that a lot of people talking on Twitter wouldn’t be able to beat him one-on-one.
“People try to be funny. I would put good money that a lot of people talking on Twitter wouldn’t be able to beat him one-on-one… He’s the top of the line at his role on our team.”
Damian Lillard defends Thanasis Antetokounmpo 🗣️
(via @ComplexSports)pic.twitter.com/czc81NeNuA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 21, 2024
Lillard went on to praise Thanasis, complimenting his defensive ability and his size while explaining his value to the Bucks.
“Defensively, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s athletic, he’s aggressive, he’s physical. You won’t find a guy that’s more about the team. He shows up and works hard, he’s always in the weight room, on the court getting his work in. He’s the top of the line in his role on our team. I have a hard time seeing anybody coming in that could replace him and what he does for our team. He’s always ready to get in the game and do what he has to do. Being someone who’s been behind closed doors with him, I respect him a lot.”
Thanasis is widely criticized for being on the Bucks for the last five years purely because he’s Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s brother. He’s averaging 1.0 points this season in 23 garbage-time appearances, furthering the belief he hasn’t earned a spot on the court.
Charles Barkley Roasted Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Jokes around Thanasis having unlimited job security have floated on NBA Twitter for years. All the fans making those jokes were instantly validated on national TV when Charles Barkley joked about the same thing, making a hilarious comparison between Thanasis and Supreme Court justices.
“Y’all can make fun of Thanasis, that guy got better job security than a Supreme Court justice.”
Some NBA executives have been reported to have said that Thanasis doesn’t deserve a spot in the league from a talent level, but one did say that he would do anything to please Giannis.
Thanasis had genuine promise as a player at a point. The Bucks didn’t draft him into the NBA, as he was a second-round pick for the New York Knicks in the 2014 Draft. He played for the Knicks and their G League affiliate before leaving the NBA in 2016. He returned in 2019 on the Bucks and has been on yearly minimum contracts since.
He did show flashes of NBA potential, but it’s been clear that he isn’t as skilled as the other benchwarmers around the league. He hasn’t contributed enough to the Bucks to have a similarly endless string of contracts. similar to Udonis Haslem, keeping his spot on the Bucks. But Thanasis is arguably the only player in that locker room who could challenge Giannis and get in his face without antagonizing him or hurting the locker room.
Thanasis may be the best mouthpiece for the franchise within the locker room. He’s loved by teammates not named Giannis, as Lillard has launched to his defense. While he may not be a player they can rely on the court, as long as Giannis is there, he may need his brother by his side.
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