(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is widely viewed as one of the best players in the NBA.
He has been a crucial member of the Milwaukee Bucks for the past several years, a reason they have found so much recent success.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks seem to be in prime form to begin the year, as they have started the season with a 5-2 record.
They recently beat the Detroit Pistons in a close battle, but they had to do so without Antetokounmpo for the majority of the second half.
Antetokounmpo was ejected in the third quarter after staring down a Pistons player.
Giannis given his second technical and ejected for this pic.twitter.com/16NsuNXrSg
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 9, 2023
This was only the fifth time Antetokounmpo has been ejected in his career, a rare occurrence for the superstar talent.
While this was Antetokounmpo’s second technical foul of the game, many fans have responded to Rob Perez’s above clip, outraged by this ejection.
That ref has no respect. Wouldn’t even give me an explanation
— Brandon Blanco (@BrandonBlancoFF) November 9, 2023
I hate how refs in all sports are penalizing players for showing the smallest bit of emotion
— (@wezzyupnext) November 9, 2023
The @NBAOfficial doesn’t want the players to show their personalities!
— $ir Auda¢ity (@JoMarcusCrum) November 9, 2023
What did he do?
— Ensign Hoops (@EnsignHoops) November 9, 2023
He can’t even look Giannis in the eye to defend his decision. Dude bringing his off court frustrations to the game
— enitandev (@enitandev) November 9, 2023
The fan response has been overwhelmingly in favor of Antetokounmpo thus far.
Fans believe the referee either had a personal vendetta against him, or there was something suspicious going on.
In their eyes, Antetokounmpo’s actions didn’t warrant a technical foul, much less an ejection.
It remains to be seen whether the NBA will take action against this referee.
If it were up to these fans, they would have him suspended, fined, and even removed from officiating all together.
Antetokounmpo is a fan-favorite throughout the league, and not having him on the floor is not only bad for the Bucks, but it is bad for the league as a whole.
The post Fans React To Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Ejection Against Pistons appeared first on The Cold Wire.