Giannis Antetokounmpo has thrown some shade at the 2019/20 Miami Heat, the last team that eliminated his Milwaukee Bucks from the NBA playoffs. The season prior to his first championship, the Greek Freak had another phenomenal individual year, but the Bucks were unable to make it past the second round of the postseason.
Amid the COVID-19 situation in America, the NBA took 22 teams to Orlando to play out the rest of the accidental 2019/20 season. Those months gave fans a glimpse of what was coming, showing the Phoenix Suns like a dangerous threat in the Western Conference, while Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and more young guns made their cases as the future of the league.
The Miami Heat surprised a lot of people in the process, reaching the NBA Finals against all odds. They faced big rivals on their way to the big series, including the Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks. The Floridians didn’t have any issues handling Giannis and co., beating them in five games.
Even after winning his first NBA title last season, Giannis hasn’t forgotten what it meant to him that loss against the Heat. In a recent interview, the 2x NBA MVP threw shade at that Heat team, saying they were made to thrive in the bubble.
Via The Athletic:
“Year 7,” Antetokounmpo said as he reflected on his career with Nehm. “Ended with Miami. I don’t make excuses as an athlete, but it wasn’t a satisfying year for me because I felt like if it was a normal situation, it wouldn’t end up like that. But at the end of the day, I felt like Miami was built to be an NBA bubble team, you know?”
The bubble brought us many surprises and some considered the Heat like the biggest one. They couldn’t do much more than going to the Finals, as the Los Angeles Lakers took care of business and beat them in six games.
Giannis took his revenge last season, sweeping the Heat in the first round of the playoffs. He went on to win the 2021 NBA title against the Phoenix Suns, demonstrating he’s ready to rule the league. This season, these two juggernauts could clash again in the postseason.
Things look pretty even seeing how well assembled both teams are. If that happens, be ready for another battle between the Bucks and Heat, where Giannis will try to get another win in front of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and co.
