“Thats Your Job”: Former NBA Players Rip into DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo for Lack of Initiative Against Miami Heat

Published 09/02/2020, 7:44 AM EDT

Jimmy Butler was the star during Game 1 of the Miami Heat versus the Milwaukee Bucks Conference Semifinal. The Heat star scored 40 points while shooting 13/20 from the field. Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo stayed away from guarding Butler, despite him going ballistic.

What made matters worse was when Giannis was asked whether he thought about switching onto Butler.

Article continues below this ad

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on whether he asked to switch onto Heat’s Jimmy Butler during late-game explosion: “To guard him? No, I didn’t. Why would you ask that? I’ll do whatever coach wants me to do.” pic.twitter.com/IFpR5pk1s1
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) September 1, 2020

Former Celtics star Isaiah Thomas replied to the video saying, “As a competitor and DPOY that’s your job to take that assignment. I know Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Kawhi woulda been like FOH I’m guarding him.”

Should Giannis Antetokounmpo have made the switch onto Butler?

Article continues below this ad

Former NBA champion Richard Jefferson also criticized Giannis, saying, “He asked that cuz you are the Defensive player of the year and Jimmy just had a career-high 40. My question is why did YOU ask him why did he ask that question.”

Fellow champion and former teammate Channing Frye replied to Jefferson saying, “Rich I was asking this all night, why if you are the best player on the court and Defensive player of the year would you not want to guard the guy BBQing the rest of your team?

As a DPOY, it is his duty to guard the best player on the opposing team. He cannot be asked to defend a point guard, but since Butler is a forward like him, Giannis should have guarded him. Especially since Butler was having his best-ever playoff game, and the Bucks were getting cooked by him.

In Game 2, Giannis cannot afford to give any room for Butler to repeat what he did. The Bucks need to level the series before it gets too late for them to come back. Giannis has to step up and carry the Bucks as he did in the series against the Magic. Otherwise, they risk an early elimination.

Article continues below this ad

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Aaron Mathew is a sports analyst at EssentiallySports. A graduate in Mass Media from Xavier’s College, Aaron has been a part of EssentiallySports since May 2020 where he covers both NBA and NCAA basketball news, and has also covered NBA 2K. In the past, Aaron has worked at the Sports Desk of Mumbai Mirror.

“Thats Your Job”: Former NBA Players Rip into DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo for Lack of Initiative Against Miami Heat

Should Giannis Antetokounmpo have made the switch onto Butler?

Trending

Shaq Makes Big Claim That Can End LeBron James’ Future With Lakers After Nuggets Series

Why Is Gabbie Marshall Not Invited to the 2024 WNBA Draft Despite Graduating From Iowa?

Is Dawn Staley Married? Details on South Carolina Coach’s Love Life and Special Bond With Lisa Boyer

Possible Shohei Ohtani Ban From MLB Has Shaq Questioning $700 Million Contract

Nate Robinson’s Tragic Situation Receives Genuine Moment of Empathy from Stephen A. Smith