Skip Bayless is infamously known as a LeBron James hater. Many would claim he’s rightfully earned that title for how he continuously minimizes LeBron’s accomplishments while harping on his shortcomings. From LeBron’s loss to Dallas in the 2011 finals to his poor free-throw shooting, Skip never passes on an opportunity to diminish his career. Even LeBron’s game-saving block in the 2016 finals has been nicknamed “the bicycle built for two” and deemed “overrated” by Skip Bayless. And much like LeBron’s block in 2016, Giannis Antetokoumpo’s block in game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals is getting similar treatment from one Skip Bayless.
In typical Skip Bayless fashion, he ran to Twitter with another horrible take calling Giannis’s block “completely overrated.”
That Giannis block of Ayton is being completely overrated. IT WAS A LOB. Giannis had plenty of time to go up and meet Ayton as he was catching the ball at its peak. He almost couldn’t help but block it.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 15, 2021
Many of the replies and quotes share a sentiment that does not agree with Skip Bayless’s take. In fact, most responses essentially revolve around calling Mr. Bayless an “old man.” Nonetheless, the consensus opinion from NBA fans is that Giannis’s block is one of, if not the best block in NBA finals history.
Unlike Skip Bayless, Portland Trailblazers superstar Damian Lillard took time to appreciate how great Giannis Antetokoumpo’s block truly was.
That block by Giannis might have won them the game
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 15, 2021
Giannis himself was very candid in his post-game press conference when discussing his game-saving block.
“I thought I was going to get dunked on, to be honest with you.”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 15, 2021
Giannis on his game-sealing block in Game 4
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/dyVdv5bU2f
Why Does Skip Hate Blocked Shots?
In the end, Skip’s reaction begs the question, why does he hate blocks so much? Granted, he did show love to Bam Adebayo’s block in the 2020 playoffs, but it was at the expense of LeBron, bringing into question his true feelings about the blocked shot.
Bam’s clutch game-saving block shamed the most overrated “clutch” block ever – LeBron’s late in Game 7 at Oakland, a chase-down after JR Smith cut off Iggy, forcing him to lay it up instead of dunk it. A bicycle built for two.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 16, 2020
LeBron James’ block in the 2016 Finals helped the Cavs secure a win in game seven versus Golden State. Giannis not only blocked a lob to seven-foot Deandre Ayton, but he kept the Suns from tying the game with under 1:20 left in the game. If the Bucks go on to win the series, the block’s mystic will only grow.
Maybe Skip Bayless is simply a harsh critic who judges every minute detail of a play, or when he’s dug in on his belief of a player being overrated, he will do whatever he can to minimize them. Two things could be true, but at the end of the day, one thing is certain. Skip Bayless hates on amazing plays for absolutely no reason.
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