Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ladder-shoving controversy with 76ers, defined

A weird scene performed out post-game after the Philadelphia 76ers earned an exciting 110-102 residence victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday evening. The Sixers had been taking part in with out injured stars James Harden and Tobias Harris, and misplaced beginning guard Tyrese Maxey to damage after halftime, however rode one other good efficiency from Joel Embiid to the win.

The Bucks had loads of probabilities to tug forward late, however they had been completed in partially by poor free throw taking pictures from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who completed 4-for-15 from the foul line. The drama began after the sport when Antetokounmpo got here out of the Bucks’ locker room to get some further free throw follow on Philadelphia’s ground. The Athletic has particulars of what went down.

As Antetokounmpo was working towards his free throws, Sixers ahead Montrezl Harrell began barking at Giannis and took his basketball. Sixers assistant Jason Love reportedly advised Giannis he couldn’t shoot free throws on Philly’s courtroom. So Antetokounmpo went into the Bucks’ locker room and returned with two extra basketballs.

When Giannis got here again, Sixers enviornment staff had arrange a ladder beneath the basket and began to take away cameras from the highest of the ring. Giannis moved the ladder out of the best way to maintain taking pictures his free throws. When the world staff moved the ladder again moments later, Giannis angrily shoved it over. The whole factor was captured on video.

The scene with Harrell was additionally captured on video, too. Giannis regarded confused as to why Harrell stole his basketball and wouldn’t give it again.

“Yeah, I took the ball, get the f— outta here,” Harrell stated, in accordance with The Athletic. Giannis responded with “I’m doing my f—— job.” Watch it play out right here:

Giannis finally went again to the locker room, and his brother Thanasis, a reserve ahead on the Bucks, got here out and talked to Harrell. The two gamers obtained right into a verbal altercation, with Harrell reportedly says “I’ll beat your a–” earlier than Thanasis walked away.

Giannis spoke concerning the scenario after the sport. Via ESPN:

“I don’t know if I ought to apologize as a result of I don’t really feel like I did something mistaken, besides the ladder simply fell. I really feel prefer it’s my proper for me to work on my abilities after a horrible evening on the free throw line. I believe anyone in my place that had an evening like me would exit and work on his free throws.

And through The Athletic:

“I never try to disrespect anyone, in any way shape or form,” Antetokounmpo stated, an hour after the incident. “I feel like today was just unfortunate event that took place. I think people did not respect the fact that sometimes players want to get some extra work in. I think it’s unprofessional to kick somebody off the court or take the ball or whatever the case might be. Or put the ladder in front of somebody while he’s trying to do his job. We get paid to do this. They didn’t just pick us. We get paid.”

Antetokounmpo stated: “You can go and ask (Harrell). I offered him to shoot, let’s shoot together.” He continued speaking concerning the incident, through The Athletic:

“Meanwhile, I don’t perceive this as a result of there’s a basket proper behind me. There was one other basket behind me. And, he selected to come back to take my ball, have his coach get in entrance of me, and type of bully me away from the courtroom and go to the opposite basket.

“I’m not going to try to fight somebody. I have kids now, I gotta save my money. But now, if you guys see that as disrespect, that’s on you.”

Harrell despatched out this tweet after the sport:

According to Reddit, the Sixers had been holding a post-game occasion for season ticket holders, which is seemingly why there have been movies of the incident.

Is it unusual for opposing gamers to follow taking pictures in an opposing enviornment after the sport? Sort of, nevertheless it does occur at occasions. Twitter instantly dug up this video of Embiid taking pictures within the Pelicans’ enviornment after a tough evening, and nobody got here to interrupt him.

Antetokounmpo has a popularity of being the NBA’s most healthful famous person. He tells dad jokes and loves Oreos and tweets about smoothies. He has by no means actually had an off-court controversy earlier than.

Is Giannis within the mistaken on this occasion? I believe so, type of. The enviornment staff try to do their jobs and Giannis emotionally shoved the ladder over after a nasty recreation. It’s not the worst factor on this planet, however he ought to in all probability sit back.

Ultimately, this incident will function extra gas for each the Antetokounmpo vs. Embiid rivalry and the Bucks and Sixers combat for Eastern Conference supremacy. We want a Bucks vs. Sixers playoff sequence so badly. It can be so enjoyable to observe two of the top-five gamers on this planet going at it with big stakes.