Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has publicly expressed his disappointment over the team’s exclusion from the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule.
A Tweet read,
“Giannis says he’s ‘pissed’ the Bucks weren’t included on the Christmas Day schedule: “2 of the NBA All-Star starters… 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? 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 says he’s ‘pissed’ the Bucks weren’t included on the Christmas Day schedule:
“2 of the NBA All-Star starters… 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… pic.twitter.com/OTOTmDxVvO
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 23, 2024
The Significance of Christmas Day Games
Christmas Day games are a long-standing tradition in the NBA, featuring some of the league’s top teams and players. These games attract a large audience, making them highly coveted by players and teams alike. For Giannis and the Bucks, who have been a strong team in recent years, missing out on this opportunity is particularly disheartening.
Criteria for Selection
The selection process for Christmas Day games is not entirely transparent, leading to speculation about the factors that influence the NBA’s decisions. Giannis Antetokounmpo suggests that there might be an algorithm that prioritizes teams based on market size and potential viewership. This has sparked a debate among fans and analysts about whether smaller market teams are at a disadvantage when it comes to being featured on such a prominent day.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Achievements and the Bucks’ Performance
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s frustration is understandable given his impressive track record. He was the No. 1 vote-getter in the NBA All-Star starters, and along with Damian Lillard, he was a key player in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks have also been one of the top teams in the East, making their exclusion from the Christmas Day schedule even more surprising.
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