The NBA playoffs have been a rollercoaster this season. With the Knicks making it to round two and the underdogs at Miami overthrowing the first seed, it has been intense. The Milwaukee Bucks were the favorite to represent the East. So, it came as a shocker to see Giannis Antetokounmpo and his squad slowly succumbing to a 4-1 loss to Miami Heat.
Advertisement
Top of the table to falling short of their glory- this has been familiar territory for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who has led his team to 6 championships. A dominant dynasty is F1, Mercedes had been unmatched before Red Bull came and took their throne. Further, the F1 legend has had a lesson or two in failure recently.
Thus, when Giannis passionately vocalized the true meaning of victory, it resounded with the Mercedes F1 titan.
Giannis Antetokounmpo inspires Lewis Hamilton
The Bucks’ downfall came owing to a thrilling bombshell in Jimmy Butler. Butler’s impressive charge against Antetokounmpo’s team had left everyone watching in awe. But that doesn’t go to say that the Bucks didn’t put up a fair fight. They just fell short to Butler’s frenzy.
Hamilton’s situation is very similar in F1. The bold and mighty Red Bull star Max Verstappen sprung to the top in 2021, a position he has held onto with ease ever since. Despite Mercedes’ best efforts, the last season has been in vain against the Bulls. Now, the battle to come close drones on.
However, that is the spirit of sport that Giannis so aptly puts into words. When asked if he had failed this season, the Greek legend refused to play along. “It’s not a failure, it’s steps towards success. There’s always steps to it.”
Bringing in the Greatest, Giannis asked the journalist to look at the rings on MJ’s hands. “Michael Jordan played 15 years. Won 6 championships. The other 9 years were a failure? “
View this post on Instagram
This has been a question surrounding the last two seasons Hamilton has raced: The question of whether the mighty have fallen to defeat. So, it’s no surprise Giannis’ response moved Hamilton. Sharing the Greek Freak’s perspective with his followers, he showed his support.
Giannis’ raw take on winning has been nothing short of beautiful. “It’s a wrong question. There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days, and bad days… some days it’s your turn, and somedays it’s not your turn. And that’s what sports is about. You don’t always win.”
View this post on Instagram
The NBA champion also broke down how people get back from this point, a point where their efforts are dubbed losses. Putting into perspective the historic 2021 win for the franchise, Giannis refused to accept this title.
Every word that Giannis said must hit hard for Hamilton. The driver has been kicked when already down and can’t seem to catch a break. Using Giannis’ speech as a reminder of the realities of sport, of competition- winning and losing, Hamilton isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.
