Undisputed King of the Airball. Yes, you read that right. Giannis has a knack for missing shots in the most spectacular way possible—by launching the ball into the abyss, nowhere near the rim. It’s a trait that’s become a meme, a talking point, and, oddly enough, a testament to why fans adore him.
The Airball Chronicles: A Highlight Reel of Misses
Giannis’ airball moments aren’t just occasional slip-ups—they’re events. They’ve been immortalized in viral clips, dissected by analysts, and roasted by fans on social media. One of the most infamous examples came during a 2021 game against the Charlotte Hornets. With the Bucks in transition, Giannis pulled up from beyond the arc, unleashed his signature form—a wind-up that looks more like a catapult than a jump shot—and… nothing. The ball sailed over the backboard, barely grazing the air molecules near the rim. The crowd groaned, Twitter erupted, and somewhere, a Bucks fan laughed through the pain.
Then there’s the free-throw line, where Giannis’ airball antics have reached peak comedy. His prolonged free-throw routine—sometimes pushing the 10-second limit—builds anticipation, only for the ball to occasionally miss everything. Last night against the Warriors after delaying as usual his air ball was extra funny. In a 2023 playoff game against the Miami Heat, Giannis airballed a free throw so badly that it became a rallying cry for Heat fans, who chanted “Air-ball! Air-ball!” every time he stepped to the line thereafter. Even in high-stakes moments, Giannis delivers unintentional entertainment.
Why Does It Happen? Breaking Down the Mechanics
So, how does a player with Giannis’ talent end up with such a prolific airball resume? It’s a mix of mechanics, mentality, and his unique journey as a basketball player.
First, let’s talk about his shooting form. Giannis didn’t grow up with the polished jumpers of a Steph Curry or a Kevin Durant. He honed his game on the streets of Athens, Greece, where raw athleticism and hustle trumped finesse. His jumper has always been a work in progress—awkward, stiff, and reliant on a slow release that leaves little margin for error. When he’s off, he’s off, and the ball can end up anywhere but the hoop.
Second, Giannis isn’t afraid to shoot. Unlike some stars who shy away from their weaknesses, he embraces the challenge. He’s taken more three-pointers each season, going from 0.5 attempts per game in his rookie year (2013-14) to 4.7 attempts in the 2023-24 season. Only this season has he stopped taking many and now he is having the worse 3point percentage in a season in NBA history! That fearlessness is part of what makes him so bad for his team—but it also means more opportunities for airballs. He’s not content to stay in his lane as a paint-bound big man; he wants to evolve, even if it means occasionally looking foolish. Problem is he isn’t improving. And to those in the know he looks extra foolish after more than a decade in the NBA.
Finally, there’s the free-throw factor. Giannis’ elongated routine—deep breaths, multiple dribbles, a pause that feels like an eternity—seems to throw off his rhythm at times. Add in playoff pressure or hostile crowds, and the result is a shot that sometimes doesn’t even threaten the rim.
The Stats: How Bad Is It, Really?
Quantifying airballs isn’t an official NBA stat, but Giannis’ misses are so memorable that they’ve fueled endless debates. In the 2022-23 season, he shot a career-high 64.5% from the free-throw line—not terrible, but a far cry from elite. His three-point percentage hovered at 27.5%, meaning plenty of his long-range attempts didn’t find the mark. Anecdotally, fans and analysts have noted that Giannis’ airballs tend to come in clusters—once he flubs one, another might follow, as if the basketball gods are testing his resolve. But since the last season he has become much much worse. Giannis fans like talking about triple doubles but they are not calculating the cost. His shooting ft% is worse than ever. And his mid range collapses into airballs and clunkers in games against tougher opponents. Talk about selective perception!
Why some Love It: The Human Side of a Superstar
Here’s the thing: Giannis’ airballs don’t detract from his legacy—they enhance it for his blinded fans. In an era of polished athletes with curated images, Giannis is refreshingly unpolished. He laughs at himself, shrugs off the misses, and keeps attacking. After airballing that free throw against Miami, he didn’t sulk—he smiled, jogged back on defence, and later dropped 38 points to remind everyone who he is. Who cares if his team lost?
That relatability is rare for a player of his stature. Most of us will never dunk on LeBron James or block a shot into the third row, but we’ve all had moments of abject failure—tripping in public, missing an easy layup in pickup, or botching a presentation at work. Giannis’ airballs are his version of that, a reminder that even the best stumble. And yet, he doesn’t let it define him. He keeps shooting, keeps grinding, and despite the fact that he is clearly past his prime he continues as if he can’t see it.
Crowning the King
So, is Giannis truly the King of the Airball? In the court of public opinion, absolutely. No one combines jaw-dropping highlights with laugh-out-loud misses quite like he does. Shaquille O’Neal might have been the original free-throw clanker, and Nick Young might have celebrated his own airballs with swagger, but Giannis wears the crown with a unique blend of dominance and humility.
As the 2024-25 season unfolds, expect more airball moments to join the highlight reel. Maybe he’ll brick a three in a clutch moment, or maybe he’ll airball a free throw only to follow it with a game-winning dunk. Either way, it’s all part of the Giannis experience—a rollercoaster of brilliance and blunders that keeps us watching.
Long live the King of the Airball. May his reign be as entertaining as it is pointless.
