After the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks experienced an unexpected loss to the 8th seeded Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked if the team’s 2022-23 NBA season was a failure. In response, he emotionally stated that it was not a failure. The Kings, who made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, also lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in a Northern California showdown that lasted through Game 7.
Kings sniper manager Kevin Hürter shared his viewpoint on Antetokounmpo’s comments and whether it applies to Sacramento’s season. Hürter explained that he respects Giannis’s comments and believes that things are different for both teams. He stated that the Kings made the playoffs after a long time, and it was a new feeling for the team and organization. Thus, expectations were low, and everything was going well. However, they had higher goals and thought they were a better team in the series, but they fell short.
Hürter noted that they are focused on looking forward to the future and building their chemistry. On the other hand, Milwaukee has been in the playoffs eight times since Antetokounmpo joined the team. They have reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice, won it once in 2020-21, and Antetokounmpo himself is a seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA MVP and Finals MVP.
Antetokounmpo emphasized that there are no failures in sports but rather good and bad days. He clarified that Michael Jordan played 15 years, won six championships, and that it is not fair to only focus on his championships and call the other nine years a failure. He expressed that sometimes other people win, and this year, someone else will win.
The Kings entered the 2022-23 season with little expectations, and despite their loss in the playoffs, it has opened the door to a bright and promising future for Sacramento.