Millions of NBA fans will tune in to watch Christmas Day matches this week, but they won’t be seeing Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks.
This has outraged not only Bucks fans but Antetokounmpo himself.
Speaking with The Athletic, via NBACentral, Antetokounmpo blamed an algorithm for his absence on Christmas Day.
Antetokounmpo said:
“The votes came out last year. I was the No. 1. Dame was a starter. I was a starter. Dame won the MVP. Dame won the 3-point contest. Maybe that has nothing to do with it. I believe we were one of the best teams in the East last year. Maybe not this year, OK. We don’t get a Christmas game. Why? Because we got a small market? Maybe that’s the case. Or I want to believe what I tell you, I think there’s an algorithm within the NBA that they choose which team will get the most attention, the most viewership that day.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo calls out the NBA for not scheduling him, Damian Lillard, and the Bucks to play on Christmas Day
“There’s gotta be an algorithm because if it’s — how can I say — like a popularity contest, I can give you facts. You want me to? Two of the NBA All-Star… pic.twitter.com/iWGUVvrQJm
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 23, 2024
Antetokounmpo believes that since he and his teammate Damian Lillard were All-Stars last season, they have earned their spot in the coveted Christmas Day schedule.
But the NBA feels differently, and they have chosen to go with other teams.
This Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs will take on the New York Knicks, while the Minnesota Timberwolves will play the Dallas Mavericks, the Philadelphia 76ers will battle the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers will square off against the Golden State Warriors, and the Denver Nuggets will play the Phoenix Suns.
There are only so many hours in the day, and the league can’t let all of its biggest stars shine on Christmas.
They made the choices they think will produce the most competition and, frankly, the best ratings.
Antetokounmpo and his team are doing better than several of the squads who got slots on Christmas, so it’s understandable that he’s upset.
It’s too late to change the schedule, but if Antetokounmpo and the Bucks continue to play well in 2024-25, they might have better luck next year.
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