Giannis reacts to altercation with Montrezl Harrell, ladder throw / News - Basketnews.com

Giannis Antetokounmpo says "he never tries to disrespect anyone, in any way shape, or form". He also referred to Montrezl Harrell and Wells Fargo Center staff: "I think it's unprofessional to kick somebody off the court or take the ball or whatever the case might be."

Credit: Screenshots Credit Screenshots

A video of Giannis Antetokounmpo shoving a large ladder on the ground following a defeat in Philadelphia went viral on basketball Twitter.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Joel Embiid Points 32 Accuracy 12-26 Rebounds 11 Assists 8

The Athletic reports that Greek Freak took action after a conflict with Montrezl Harrell, who took the ball from Giannis and refused to give it back. Then Giannis left the court and returned with two basketballs.

Only when he came back, an employee pushed the A-frame ladder in front of the hoop where Giannis was shooting. Antetokounmpo asked the man to move the ladder so he could finish his shooting, and twice the man said no.

"I never try to disrespect anyone, in any way shape, or form," Antetokounmpo told The Athletic. "I feel like today was just an unfortunate event that took place. I think people did not respect the fact that sometimes players want to get some extra work in.

"I think it's unprofessional to kick somebody off the court or take the ball or whatever the case might be. Or put the ladder in front of somebody while he's trying to do his job. We get paid to do this. They didn't just pick us. We get paid," he added.

"This isn't f***ing Milwaukee," Harrell barked at Antetokounmpo when he tried to put in some extra work, as witnessed by The Athletic. "Get that s**t out of there."

Still, Antetokounmpo continued his work at one end of the floor, while Harrell was shooting at the other.

"Yeah I took the ball, get the f**k outta here," Harrell said, as Giannis shouted from his end: "I'm doing my f***ing job."

After Giannis left the court, his brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo walked to midcourt to speak to Harrell. According to The Athletic, the Sixers' center threatened Thanasis, saying at separate times "I'll beat your a** and "you better send that s**t back to the locker room." Thanasis walked away without incident.

"We are professional athletes that try to do our job. You can go and ask [Harrell]. I offered him to shoot, let's shoot together. Meanwhile, I don't understand this because there's a basket right behind me. There was another basket behind me. And, he chose to come to take my ball, have his coach get in front of me, and kind of bully me away from the court and go to the other basket," Giannis responded about an incident with Harrell.

"I'm not going to try to fight somebody. I have kids now, I gotta save my money. But now, if you guys see that as disrespect, that's on you."

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.