THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Jun 19, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
NY Post
New York Post
21 Sep 2023


NextImg:Shannon Sharpe rips Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo for nepotism

Shannon Sharpe didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks reality.

The ESPN personality called out the two-time NBA MVP — who’s been vocal about potentially leaving Milwaukee for a better situation to win — and accused him of nepotism by securing roster spots for his brothers, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo.

“You got your brothers occupying two roster spots,” Sharpe said during Wednesday’s installment of “First Take,” before asking: “Are we gonna talk about that?

“You know good and well, Giannis, your brothers probably not going to be playing for any other team in the NBA except Milwaukee, and that’s only because of you.

“So you keep talking about surrounding yourself with talent — there’s two spots being occupied by your brothers.”

Meanwhile, “First Take” star Stephen A. Smith couldn’t contain his laughter over Sharpe’s comments.

However, some on X took issue with Sharpe due to the fact that only one of the Antetokounmpo brothers, 31-year-old Thanasis, actually occupies a roster spot in Milwaukee.

Shannon Sharpe talking about Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers on ESPN’s “First Take” on September 20, 2023.
X/BasketballOnX

Alex, who is the youngest Antetokounmpo, was signed and waived by Milwaukee in September and then again last month.

Thanasis — a 6-foot-7 small forward, who was a second-round pick by the Knicks in the 2014 NBA Draft — spends most of his time on the bench.

He averaged 1.4 points and 1.2 rebounds, while shooting 43.5 percent last season.

He was part of the Bucks’ roster that won a championship in the 2021, when Giannis was named Finals MVP.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the game against the Miami Heat during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during a playoffs game against the Miami Heat in 2023.
NBAE via Getty Images

Alex Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo #43 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks pose for a portrait during 2023 NBA All Star Saturday Night as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on February 18, 2023 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alex Antetokounmpo (l), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (c) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (r).
NBAE via Getty Images

Sharpe was reacting to recent comments made by Giannis on the “48 Minutes” Bleav podcast, during which the NBA star called himself a winner — and explained he is prepared to leave Milwaukee for a better situation if he doesn’t see a commitment to winning from his current team.

“As long as we play and we approach the game every single day the right way and we all sacrifice for a common goal, I can see myself being with the Milwaukee Bucks for the rest of my career,” the 28-year-old said. 

“But the moment I feel like people are not committed as I am to get that golden thing in the back … I am a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly, I am a winner. I want to win.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks warms up before Round, Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo runs onto the court in front of this brother Giannis during the playoffs.
NBAE via Getty Images

“I have to do whatever it takes for me to win, and if there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien [championship trophy] I have to take that better situation.”

During Wednesday’s “First Take,” Sharpe advocated on behalf of the Bucks new head coach, Adrian Griffin, who took over after Mike Budenholzer was fired in May.

“You got a new coach, Adrian Griffin, give him a chance,” Sharpe said. “You gave Mike Budenholzer a chance.”

The Bucks play their first preseason game Oct. 8 when they host the Chicago Bulls.