“Can’t Imagine If LeBron James or Stephen Curry…”: Giannis Antetokounmpo Clears the Air About 10-Month-Old ‘Infamous’ Ladder Incident

Giannis Antetokounmpo cleared the air regarding his infamous ‘ladder incident’ 10 months after it took place. In his debut podcast appearance on ’48 minutes,’ the Greek Freak could not understand the joke cracked by the host about the ladder incident. However, upon understanding, Giannis shed further light, giving his own perspective on this infamous incident.

In a 2022 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis shot under 50% from the field and had an abysmal 4-15 from free throws. After the defeat, the Greek Freak chose to remain on the hardwood and practice some free throws.

However, when some Wells Fargo employees started obstructing the rim with a ladder, Giannis went into a fit of rage and knocked the ladder down. This attracted much criticism and outcry, with many calling Antetokounmpo’s chill and fun side to be a ‘facade.’

Giannis Antetokounmpo clears the air about the infamous ladder incident at Philadelphia

Ten months since Giannis’ infamous ladder incident, the Milwaukee Bucks star has offered some more perspective and clarity on that incident in his debut podcast appearance. As we all know of the incident, Giannis was accused of showing his fits of rage against the Sixers employees when he was denied of shooting hoops at Philadelphia. However, Giannis’ version of this story is completely different, which shows how he was wrongly portrayed and villainized by the media and the Sixers fans.

Reacting to a joke related to that incident, Giannis cleared the air by narrating what exactly conspired during that day. Antetokounmpo was deeply disappointed with the negative publicity that he received following that incident. According to Giannis, he was denied by players, coaches, and even Sixers employees from shooting on his side of the court. Adding further on this, Giannis said,

“I cannot imagine if LeBron James or Steph Curry, or Hakeem Olajuwon, or, I don’t know, Trey Young, or Luka Doncic, or Jokic would be shooting free-throw, and a guy, or a coach of the other team [would] come and take the ball, and say, ‘Hey, you’re not shooting!'” 

Giannis also reiterated how he requested the employees politely to move the ladder twice. However, it seemed like the Sixers staff were trying to test the patience of Giannis after a tough loss. Perhaps, the frustration of a loss and disrespectful treatment provoked the Greek Freak into a fit of rage.

Though Sixers coach Doc Rivers apologized to Giannis, perhaps the Bucks superstar would never really forget this harrowing incident he had to face on-court as a professional basketball player.

Shaquille O’Neal was critical of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ladder incident

Giannis’ intentions for shooting hoops after the game were seen as ‘overcompensatory’ by the NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The Big Man thought that it was unnecessary of Giannis to shoot in an away team’s court after losing a game. Instead, the 2021 FMVP could rather put in the same work on his free throws in training. Speaking in an episode of the Big Podcast, Shaq said,

“My question is why are you shooting after the game? What’s that gonna prove? The game is over man, let it go. If you’re two for ten in the game and you lose and then you go after the game and shoot eight for ten, what does that prove? It don’t prove nothing. So, that’s my question.”

Perhaps, the Diesel needed to hear Giannis’ side of the story as he unveiled it now. Maybe that might help Shaq understand the Greek Freak’s logic behind staying back after games and shooting free throws to perfect himself.