Stephen A. Smith has managed to tick off another NBA star.
The ESPN personality Smith went viral this week over his comments about Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Antetokounmpo. Amid renewed speculation over Antetokounmpo’s future and whether or not he will pursue a trade from Milwaukee, Smith decided to speak on Antetokounmpo’s legacy.
Most notably, Smith said that Antetokounmpo would be an “underachiever” if he did not win another NBA title. Smith noted Antetokounmpo’s career accomplishments but also referenced the fact that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have not won a playoff series since 2022 (which Smith called “unacceptable”).
Stephen A. Smith says he will consider Giannis Antetokounmpo an “underachiever” if he doesn’t win another ring
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 13, 2025
(@FirstTake / h/t @ClutchPoints )
pic.twitter.com/d3doeDTE2p
In a post to his Instagram Story on Sunday, Antetokounmpo responded to Smith’s comments. Antetokounmpo reposted a message from a fan that read, “Giannis went from selling sunglasses on a beach in Greece to a multi-millionaire who won a championship without having to run to a superteam. He has over-achieved his wildest dreams and anyone who thinks otherwise is ridiculous.”
Antetokounmpo added a couple of “100” emojis as well as a fire emoji to a screenshot of the post.
Giannis Antetokounmpo response to Stephen A Smith calling him a potential “underachiever”
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 16, 2025
(h/t @BucksShowYo) pic.twitter.com/PORaweeF7A
Indeed, Antetokounmpo’s legacy is secure no matter what, especially after leading the Bucks, the team that drafted him, to the 2021 NBA title as the Finals MVP. Antetokounmpo is also a two-time league MVP, a nine-time All-Star, and a Defensive Player of the Year winner at just 30 years old.
It is also well-documented too that Antetokounmpo grew up in poverty in Greece along with his four brothers. Antetokounmpo himself has spoken about how they often went hungry during childhood, so it is safe to say The Greek Freak’s story is one of astounding success, no matter what any hot-take pundit tries to say.
