Not My Narrative!

What’s the only thing worse than listening to the Boston play-by-play commentators during a Celtics game if ur not a Celtics fan? Simple, listening to a morning, sports debate show for something other than the entertainment value. I’m exaggerating a little of course. You can learn quite a bit about sports from watching these shows, as long as you keep a critical eye. Why a critical eye you ask? You’re gonna need one to avoid all those narratives they’re gonna try to shove into your psyche.

Take a look at Giannis Antetokounmpo. There has never been a nickname more apropos for an NBA player. The “Greek Freak” as they call him is very much Greek and most definitely a freak on the basketball court the likes of which the league has never seen. At 6’11’’, 222 lbs and only in his 4th season, Antetokounmpo averaged about 27 points on 53% shooting from the field to go along with 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Now during the playoffs, playing against the Boston Celtics in the first round, Antentokounmpo averaged 26 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists with a ridiculous 59% field goal percentage. Antentokounmpo for most of the series, apart from a rather pedestrian game 5, had continued to produce alongside Khris Middleton to eventually push the series to a game 7 in Boston.

Before the series began, expectations were that the Milwaukee Bucks had the upper hand over the 2nd seeded Celtics due to the overwhelming number of injuries the Celtics had suffered throughout the season. However, two games into the series, the Celtics had a 2-0 lead over the Bucks with Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford leading the way. The expectations shifted immediately to can the Bucks even take a game. It was at this point that one Giannis Antentonkounmpo began to receive heavy criticism, a lot of which was undeserving. Talks shows muttered the same remark: “If Giannis can’t get past these Celtics with all their injuries, maybe he’s not as good as once predicted.” The narrative becomes, if he’s that good, he should be able to win even under these circumstances. What baloney.

It’s one thing to criticize a player, and trust me, I’m not one to shy away from even nitpicking potentially minuscule mistakes. However, far, FAR more of the blame for the Bucks weak start in this series could’ve been attributed to lacklustre play from other teammates, non-existent coaching and the quality of Celtics basketball.

Firstly, the teammates. I think one thing everyone agrees with when it comes to the Bucks this season is that they’ve underachieved. This consensus came from the recognition of the many talented players on the roster. There’s Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker, Malcolm Brogdon and even Eric Bledsoe to pair with the Greek Freak. However, the lack of consistency from the other members of the team, combined with injuries, have killed the Bucks all year long, with this series being no different. Apart from Middleton, none of the others have demonstrated much consistency. Eric Bledsoe in particular got torched by Rozier two games in a row and then, like a true sore loser, proclaimed in a post game interview that he didn’t know who Rozier was. LMAO.

Next, the coaching. I mean, who even is the coach of the Bucks. I’m almost certain half the NBA fans don’t even know who he is. And quite frankly, you don’t even need to cause he doesn't seem to do much. I mean I understand he is simply an interim coach but cmon. The Bucks half court offense has got to be one of the all-time greatest train wrecks you will ever see on live television and to be fair to the interim coach, it was like that before he ever joined. It literally just becomes throw the ball to Giannis or someone else to try to create something out of nothing. At some point, I’m sure someone will take a 3. You know, just to stick with the theme of the modern NBA.

Finally, the Celtics. Not only are they still without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward but even after the loss of key defensive anchor Marcus Smart for a stretch, they continue to show poise in the playoffs. Whether its key role players or young studs, Celtics players continue to step up when their number is called. The Celtics continue to show that even if you change the players and change the coaches, you can't get rid of that the Celtics playoff spirit. Although, it does help to have arguably the best coach in the league.

As you can see, there are multiple different reasons for Antentonkounmpo and the Bucks struggles against the Celtics in their first round matchup. Giannis not being good enough to carry them is not one of those reasons. At least, no where near the primary one. People need to get away from narratives pushed by sports shows proclaiming that great players should be able to carry their even in the most dire situations. They don’t put in enough consideration into the circumstances these players struggle with but that shouldn’t prevent you from considering them.

Giannis is an improving beast of a player who lost a tough series to the Boston Celtics. It’s too early to judge him by such a cruel narrative. Instead, heres a better narrative: The deeper, better coached team, with under appreciated players was simply the better team. Oh wait, thats not a narrative, thats just the truth.