Giannis Antetokounmpo: ‘Miami was built to be an NBA bubble team’

[Pennebaker]

According to the players, living in the bubble was difficult, so only the most mentally tough advanced.

Giannis is basically saying that he couldn't win without his usual routine and usual comforts and that he is not built for that type of situation where mental toughness and mental focus is key.

I think most people would agree that Jimmy is more mentally tough than Giannis. Giannis is kind of known as a crumbler now.

[Eagle4]

2021 was indeed the FLUKE.
A friendly reminder that Jimmy was heavily hampered by a severe back injury but still opted to play through it like the competitor that he is

https://www.si.com/nba/pacers/news/nba-playoffs-heats-jimmy-butler-status-for-game-1-with-bucks

That whole playoff run Giannis/Bucks faced injury plagued teams (Nets say hi). So one can conclude that it wasn't Miami that were the frauds but Giannis/Bucks.

[carlquincy]

Man, even the mod joins the trolling. Good stuff.

[Jfh20]

According to the players, living in the bubble was difficult, so only the most mentally tough advanced.

Giannis is basically saying that he couldn't win without his usual routine and usual comforts and that he is not built for that type of situation where mental toughness and mental focus is key.

I think most people would agree that Jimmy is more mentally tough than Giannis. Giannis is kind of known as a crumbler now.

What does mentally tough have to do with jimmy dropping 40 point on theem in bubble almost every gym in the bubble? Or dropping nearly 60 in 2023 on them??

[rate_]

Umm…

[CIN-C-STAR]

The NBA Bubble... wasn't that where they played all those playoff games?
Then yeah, I'd say they were built for the bubble

[QingJames]

Heat own the Bucks. They have not just beat them twice, but utterly squashed them both times.

[fishfuego.]

I kinda think that while a dumb thing to say, ye was right.
The Heat aren't a regular season juggernaut and the bubble eliminated HC advantage. Check.
The Heat also emphasize fitness and training more than nearly any other team, which was an advantage after resuming play after an extended break.
Check.
Dumb thing to say out loud and he deserves to be raked for it, but I don't think he's wrong tbh.

Well obviously he was wrong don’t you think, or at least he should admit he was wrong to at least save face after this year’s beat down.

[CIN-C-STAR]

I kinda think that while a dumb thing to say, ye was right.
The Heat aren't a regular season juggernaut and the bubble eliminated HC advantage. Check.
The Heat also emphasize fitness and training more than nearly any other team, which was an advantage after resuming play after an extended break.
Check.
Dumb thing to say out loud and he deserves to be raked for it, but I don't think he's wrong tbh.

Well obviously he was wrong don’t you think, or at least he should admit he was wrong to at least save face after this year’s beat down.

Well like I said it was definitely a dumb thing to say.
That said I think both things can be true: The Heat culture might have given them an advantage in the bubble, and it was an advantage to lower seeds in general, but that doesn't mean they are trash outside the bubble.
The Heat are obviously still a playoff threat in any environment, playoff Jimmy and a battle-tested coach and all that, which is why he should have never said it.
The only proper response to losing is to give credit to your opponent and then work to get better.

[VanWest82]

Heat own the Bucks. They have not just beat them twice, but utterly squashed them both times.

Bucks showed up to bubble out of shape from the lockdown and Giannis played hurt this time around. Bucks also swept Heat in 2021.

I agree that Heat give them problems, Jimmy specifically, but some of their success against Bucks is circumstantial.

[Ballerhogger]

He ain’t talking now is he?

[3ammy3uck3ts]

What’s he been saying from his couch now?

[GreatWhiteStiff]

Man, even the mod joins the trolling. Good stuff.

Mods can voice their opinion. I'll just redact the rest of what I would've said.

[Memories]

Well the Bucks were built to be a short off-season, shorten regular season team.

…I uhh…guess it doesn’t roll off the tongue as well does it?

[meekrab]

And Giannis was kind of built to get gifted FTs by a soft league.

[BBallFreak]

I actually think Giannis is right. Miami was perfect for the bubble. They just happened to translate that to outside the bubble, too.

He meant it to minimize what they did in 2020 but it's really indicative of Heat culture - focus on the game, physical fitness, and teamwork. They're going to out work you and stay fundamentally sound. Stick to their game plan. That's all Heat culture is. No big secret or anything...

[lamscott]

I can't believe its Lakers, Nuggests, Heat and tbd for Celtics and 76ers.

[GiannisAnte34]

Impressive results but ultimately never a real threat of winning a ring. Idk most fans would definitely be happy with that

[baldur]

I am never sure this giannis guy is either so humble, articulated and good or evil, dirty, envious player/person.

[akula1488]

All the disrespect for the freak. He is coming