A 4-1 loss to the Indiana Pacers left Giannis Antetokounmpo devastated. But he wasn’t allowed to be upset at the result due to a bizarre incident. Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John, raced to the floor and began to provoke the Greek Freak. It ended up with them coming forehead to forehead, and Antetokounmpo being incensed during the post-game presser. “Coming to me and disrespecting me and cursing at me, I think it’s totally unacceptable,” he said.

The Inside the NBA crew reacted to the situation. Normally, Shaquille O’Neal sees the Bucks keystone as his own reflection in the modern game. However, while he fully admires the way Giannis Antetokounmpo competes, he didn’t support him in this situation. “I played 19 years. That happens plenty of times,” Shaq said in his response.

In fact, he even recalled an incident from the 1995 NBA Finals where he lost to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. “Kenny, when we lost to Houston, you don’t think people had brooms going to the locker room? Hitting us with freaking brooms,” he said as a way to defend his case. 

In this case, the entire Rockets arena carried brooms as their team were up 3-0. Aside from getting hit with a few brooms, the true bedlam began when the Orlando Magic tried to leave. Shaq recalled this instance during the 2002 NBA Finals. “They were hitting the buses with the brooms and throwing bricks and rioting. I was just sitting there crying, looking out. They were laughing at me,” he told the Herald Tribune.

Unfortunately, although the Jet was a part of that team, he didn’t agree with Shaq’s take. Nor did Charles Barkley. But does this prove John Haliburton had the right to do what he did? Well, the Joh Haliburton himself has had his say on the matter.

John Haliburton issues his statement

The atmosphere at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse was magnetic. The crowd went bananas as they heard the final buzzer. In the heat of that moment, a proud father who saw his son hit the game winner stormed the hardwood. He aggravated Giannis Antetokounmpo, leading to the heated altercation that would follow.

Shaq’s experience does prove that fans can be ruthless. But this was very different. Not all fans get the opportunity to just walk on the floor. John Haliburton got to do so because he is the father of Tyrese Haliburton. Additionally, kicking a competitor when down isn’t going to draw a positive reaction.

That’s exactly why the Pacers guard himself revealed he had a conversation with his father about the incident. Haliburton didn’t support his actions and admitted he was wrong. Not only that, but John Haliburton also later came out with a public apology for the disturbance he caused to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight’s game. This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again,” his apology read. So even though Shaquille O’Neal might think there was no foul play, the senior Haliburton is well aware of the scene he caused.

Guess that proves who was in the wrong. Still, it is good to see the senior Haliburton recognizing his mistake, and holding up his hand.