Kelly Oubre Jr. added a bit of flair and humor to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ frustration with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s physical style of play during their 124-109 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. As Giannis bulldozed his way to the basket multiple times, using his size and strength to overpower defenders, the Sixers grew increasingly agitated. The Greek Freak’s aggressive moves, often involving elbows and body contact, went largely unpunished by the referees, according to the Sixers’ coaching staff and players.
Kelly Oubre Jr. showing the refs how Giannis gets away with nonstop elbows & offensive fouls in the form of dance lmao
One of one pic.twitter.com/3kq8ulncPi
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) October 24, 2024
The tension boiled over when Sixers head coach Nick Nurse and his players began arguing with the referees, claiming that Giannis was getting away with offensive fouls, particularly using his elbows to create space. Nurse gave a rather straightforward example, miming an elbow hit to the air to express his dissatisfaction. But Kelly Oubre Jr., never one to shy away from theatrics, took it a step further.
Oubre mockingly performed an exaggerated “dance” in front of the referees, throwing his elbows in the air in a rhythmic, exaggerated motion to show what he believed was Giannis’ tactic of using his arms to get through defenders. The comical display was Oubre’s way of underlining what the Sixers thought was an ongoing issue with how Giannis’ physicality goes unchecked.
While the moment brought some laughs, especially from those watching the game, it was rooted in a genuine concern about how Giannis’ style of play often tests the limits of what is considered legal in the NBA.
Antetokounmpo, known for his relentless drives to the basket and immense physical presence, frequently uses his body to gain an advantage. While it’s an effective strategy, opponents often argue that he crosses the line into offensive fouls, with referees hesitant to call them due to his superstar status.
Oubre’s frustration also reflects the general sentiment of many NBA players who have to face Giannis. The combination of his size, strength, and speed makes him a nightmare for defenders, and his style often leads to situations where contact occurs. However, as the Sixers argued during the game, some of that contact should be classified as offensive fouls.
Oubre’s mock dance was a playful, yet pointed, demonstration of how Giannis seems to get away with moves that would likely be called on other players.
This isn’t the first time Oubre has been involved in disputes with referees. In a memorable incident last season, Oubre cursed out multiple referees after a controversial no-call in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, further showing his fiery side when he feels wronged by officiating decisions. Despite his playful gesture against Giannis, it’s clear Oubre takes these moments seriously, especially when he believes his team is being disadvantaged by officiating.
In the end, the Bucks came out victorious, with Giannis and new teammate Damian Lillard leading the charge. But Oubre’s dance underscored the challenges teams face when dealing with Giannis’ unique blend of power and finesse.
Antetokounmpo led the charge with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting an efficient 8-of-11 from the field. His teammate Damian Lillard also had a standout performance, contributing 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while hitting 6-of-12 from three-point range.
Brook Lopez added 12 points and 6 blocks, anchoring the Bucks’ defense. For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey led the team with 25 points, but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 10-of-31 from the field. Despite Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 18 points and some entertaining moments on the court, the 76ers were outmatched by the dominant performances from Milwaukee’s star duo.
For the Sixers, and Oubre in particular, it was a night of frustration — not just with Giannis’ dominance, but with how they felt the referees allowed him to dictate the game with his physicality. Whether Oubre’s antics will spark further conversations about how Giannis is officiated remains to be seen, but for now, it stands as one of the more memorable moments of the season opener.
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