Giannis Antetokounmpo hauled down a missed 3 from Gabe Vincent, a man with the meanest of intentions to put the Milwaukee Bucks away for good.
Vincent and the Heat were hanging on to a two-point lead with nine seconds left in overtime of Game 5. If they win, the Bucks go home.
But Giannis still had time. In his usual big strides, he was past halfcourt with three dribbles, veering left in an attempt to power his way inside. Jimmy Butler wouldn’t let him. Giannis had to give up the ball—and with that, he said goodbye to the Bucks’ shot at another championship run.
It was an anti-climatic, confusing end to the Bucks’ season, which at one point felt, looked, and built like a lock to make it back to the top of the East. The Bucks, after all, are the No. 1 seed, leaping over the Celtics and the Sixers—despite struggling with health and injuries throughout the season.
What was once a run highlighted by the familiar, sheer dominance of Giannis, the return of a healthy Khris Middleton, the genius of Jrue Holiday, and the resurgence of Brook Lopez ended in a last-second desperation try by Grayson Allen (that wouldn’t have counted anyway).
After winning the title two years ago, the Bucks have been ousted from the playoffs in a collapsing fashion—twice. First, against the Celtics in 2022, when they lost despite being up 3-2.
Then, against the Heat days ago, when they lost despite being up big in a must-win game. The Bucks crumbled when they needed to be firm; lost when they needed a W.
But for Giannis, the season wasn’t a failure.
After being eliminated by the Heat, the former MVP was asked by The Athletic’s Eric Nehm if he viewed it as such. An exasperated Giannis covered his face with his hands and started with a deep breath, then a frustrated, “Oh my God.”
It was a fair question, one lobbed by a journalist seeking for an assessment from one of the league’s most competitive and gifted athletes; one of the most inspiring stories of success and grit.
Giannis’ reply proved just that, that his level of success—of being an NBA champion—has awarded him the privilege of perspective and wisdom.
“There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days, some days you are able to be successful, some days you are not, some days it is your turn, some days it’s not. That’s what sports is about. You don’t always win,” he said.
Giannis, who just minutes before scored 38 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, should’ve been angry, tired, frustrated, senseless. He could’ve replied with a short and bitter “yes” then went on his way.
Instead, he chose to educate and be insightful. Giannis offered a different view on how a franchise player from the losing top-seeded team looks at a 1-4 series loss.
He served up a highlight that should be passed on to generations and replayed more than his two-handed dunks and:
“It's not a failure. It's steps to success.”
