"ESPN’s basketball coverage must die": Fans lash out as Stephen A. Smith sparks backlash with ‘underachiever’ Giannis Antetokounmpo claim

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship in 2021. However, the Bucks have struggled to contend for a title since. In the last three seasons, they have been eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Milwaukee has tried to address the situation by adding Damian Lillard. They replaced Jrue Holiday, a fan favorite in the organization, with an All-Star guard. And when that wasn't enough, the front office dealt Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards in the 2024-25 NBA season.

On Friday, analyst Stephen A. Smith had a controversial take about Antetokounmpo's title bid on ESPN's "First Take." Smith's co-host, Molly Qerim, asked the TV personality how he would describe the Greek Freak's career if he fails to win another championship.

"Underachiever," Smith said about Antetokounmpo.

"You don't look at somebody that dominant, that fantastic, with that kind of fire in his belly to compete on a night-in, night-out basis and all you have is one championship to show for."

Fans expressed their thoughts on the ESPN analyst's comments on the Bucks star.

"ESPN’s basketball coverage must die and be born anew," a fan said.

"This is coming from a guy that scored 1 PPG in college," another fan commented.

"A day doesn’t go by without more hot, uninformed takes from Stephen A and his cast of clowns," a comment read.

Others defended Giannis Antetokounmpo and his lone championship.

"Giannis already cemented his legacy by being one of the most dominant two-way forces the game’s ever seen," one fan said.

"KG and Dirk are better than Giannis and they only have 1 ring. Neither were under achievers," another fan posted.

"A 15th Pick that won 2 MVPs, A DPOY, and Finals MVP is underachieving????" a fan questioned the take.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to stay in Milwaukee

There have been speculations that Giannis Antetokounmpo will leave the Bucks this offseason. However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst talked about Antetokounmpo's future on "Get Up." According to Windhorst, the Bucks will try to keep their franchise star.

“There’s not going to be a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in the short-term future,” Windhorst said (11:35). “The league has come to terms with the realization that the Bucks are going to keep him and Giannis is not going to ask for a trade. I can’t speak for what might happen in August.”

The Bucks are willing to keep the nine-time All-Star and build a contending team around him.