Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks enjoyed an outstanding regular season, finishing 58-24 and earned the #1 seed heading into the playoffs.
Last night, their season came to an end in the opening round of the NBA playoffs, as a scorching Miami Heat squad took the series in five games with a 128-126 overtime win, ending a season that started with high expectations for Antetokounmpo and his squad.
Since winning the NBA championship in 2021, the Bucks have now been bounced in the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs for two seasons in a row now, losing last season in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Boston Celtics, despite holding a 3-2 lead in the series.
After the game, the same reporter who asked if the season was a failure after last year's loss asked Antetokounmpo again if he viewed this season as a failure.
Antetokounmpo took the opportunity to provide a Masterclass in what sports are really all about.
"You asked me the same question last year Eric...do you get a promotion every year in your job? No, right? So every year your work is a failure, right? No? Every year you work, you're working toward a goal, which is to get a promotion, or be able to take care of your family, or provide a house for them, or take care of your parents. You work towards a goal. It is not a failure...there are steps to success."
"Michael Jordan played 15 years, won six championships, were the other nine years a failure? That's what you're telling me."
"It's the wrong question. There is no failure in sports. There's good days, and bad days. Some days you are able to be successful, some days you are not. Some days it is your turn, some days it's not your turn. That's what sports is about. You don't always win. Some other people are going to win."
"This year, someone else is going to win. Simple as that. We're going to come back next year, try to be better, try to build good habits, try to play better, and hopefully we can win a championship."
Hear more from Giannis in the clip, and show this one to your players, parents, booster club, admin, and everyone else that has an impact with your team.
Giannis is outstanding: “There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days, some days you are able to be successful, some days you are not, some days it is your turn, some days it’s not. That’s what sports is about. You don’t always win.” pic.twitter.com/aTnFpnGtdx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2023