The Milwaukee Bucks faced the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo saw some action. There were laughs when Antetokounmpo entered the game with around six minutes remaining in the third quarter. On social media, it provoked a meme frenzy mocking the 31-year-old forward.
The Cavaliers dominated the Bucks, and head coach Adrian Griffin pulled every player from the bench halfway through the third quarter. Khris Middleton was replaced by Thanasis, who played the remainder of the quarter. In that order, he ended with one block and one assist.
The former NBA champion in the clip below missed a wide-open shot to throw the ball to Bobby Portis in traffic, who made the basket. In the end, despite being behind by 40 points, Thanasis stared down Donovan Mitchell with a block. As a result, he was slow to grab a rebound, which allowed Mitchell to get an easy dunk on an outlet pass.
NBA fans flocked to social media to laud the classic Thanasis Antetokounmpo video that has been a regular feature on X recently. Some fans criticized the Bucks for continuing to play the older Antetokounmpo sibling, branding him as one of the league’s worst players.
One fan made the following quip in response to his hilarious scene against the Cleveland Cavaliers: “It should win an Emmy Award for comedy.”
“Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.”
“The Greek Geek” “impressed” one of the fans:
“Returning with no intention and arriving late at the offensive end. Simply Greek Geek items.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s elder brother was defended by one fan:
“He hustles and is the best 15th man in the league.”
Antetokounmpo Thanasis is unaffected by his detractors.
In response to questions on Thanasis Antetokounmpo back in April, three NBA officials from various teams confirmed that he is in the league because of his brother Giannis. Supporters have also made the same argument, and they even regularly make fun of the Greek international for it.
Even though the New York Knicks reportedly considered signing Thanasis in free agency, he decided to return to Milwaukee. He doesn’t care about the criticism he receives online because, as he told Donatas Urbonas of Basket News, only the truth can damage him:
“Everybody has their opinion, but the only time it hurts you is when it’s true,” Thanasis stated. If it’s true, it saddens you, but you also understand my trip, right? Bro, I ran out of food. What use does an article serve? Being an immigrant’s son, I had nothing to eat.”