Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks' Season A Failure? No But They Should Be Plenty Disappointed

Giannis Antetotokounpo took exception with a question about failure after season-ending loss to Miami Heat

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was somewhat right in his explanation Wednesday night. 

A reporter asked him a legitimate question: Was this season a failure? 

Antetokounmpo got on the defensive. 

“Michael Jordan played 15 years, won 6 championships," Antetokounmpo said. "The other 9 years were a failure?"

Antetokounmpo was somewhat right. 

The Bucks' season wasn't a failure. But it was plenty disappointing. At this level, you can't just say you're happy about getting better. No team, especially a contender, is content with going from 51 to 58 wins without winning a championship and making a one-round earlier exit from the playoffs. 

"There's no failure in sports," Antetotokounmpo said. "You know, there's good days, bad days; some days you are able to be successful, some days you're not. Some days it's your turn, some days it's not your turn. And that's what sports is about. You don't always win. Some other people is going to win. And this year, somebody else is going to win. Simple as that."

Again, Antetokounmpo was somewhat right. Some days you do win, some days you do  lose. But there is failure in sports. Teams fail to make the postseason. In football, extra points and fourth-down conversions fail. The Bucks failed at the free throw line Wednesday against the Heat. Coach Mike Budenholzer failed to call timeouts at two critical stages. 

I get what Antetokounmpo, who is one of the most likeable superstars, is saying. And it's a great lesson for young athletes. But at the professional level, there is failure. 

In the past five years, the Bucks have won more games (271) than any other NBA team. They have a championship in their only Finals appearance during that span. 

Failure? No. 

But the Bucks haven't lived up to expectations, which is what I think the reporter was trying to ask. 

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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