The NBA is no stranger to debates about talent, roster decisions, and the influence of star players on team dynamics. One name that has consistently sparked controversy in recent years is Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Critics, fans, and analysts alike have pointed to Thanasis as a prime example of nepotism in the NBA, arguing that his roster spot with the Bucks is a direct result of his brother’s influence rather than his own basketball merits.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s NBA Career: clearly not good enough

Thanasis Antetokounmpo, born on July 18, 1992, in Athens, Greece, entered the NBA with high expectations as the older brother of a generational talent. Drafted 51st overall by the New York Knicks in 2014, Thanasis spent his early career bouncing between the NBA and the G League, with brief stints in Europe. Since joining the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019, he has remained on the roster, playing alongside his brother Giannis and contributing to the team’s 2021 NBA Championship. However, his on-court production has drawn significant scrutiny as nobody on the planet would claim that he can play at NBA levels of basketball.

By the Numbers: A Lackluster On-Court Impact

To understand Thanasis’s performance, let’s look at his career statistics with the Bucks (as of the 2024-25 season, based on available data):

• Minutes Played: Thanasis averages just 4.6 minutes per game across 181 games with the Bucks (through the 2023-24 season). His limited playing time reflects a bench role, often reserved for garbage time or low-stakes situations.
• Scoring: His career scoring average with the Bucks is a meager 2.4 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 52.3% and a three-point percentage of 14.3% (on very low attempts, 0.3 per game). His scoring output is negligible, and his inability to stretch the floor with outside shooting limits his offensive utility.
• Rebounds and Assists: Thanasis averages 1.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game, indicating minimal impact in playmaking or board-crashing.
• Advanced Metrics: His Player Efficiency Rating (PER) hovers around 8.0, well below the league average of 15.0. His Win Shares per 48 minutes (WS/48) is 0.048, suggesting he contributes little to team wins when on the court. His Box Plus-Minus (BPM) is consistently negative, often around -4.0, indicating that the Bucks perform worse with him on the floor.

These numbers paint a clear picture: Thanasis is, at best, a fringe NBA player whose statistical contributions are among the lowest on the Bucks roster and possibly the entire league. Videos and highlight reels circulating online often highlight his athletic dunks or hustle plays, but these moments are rare and overshadowed by inefficiencies. For instance, a YouTube video titled “How BAD is Thanasis Antetokounmpo Actually?” notes that his limited skill set—primarily athleticism and energy—doesn’t translate to consistent NBA-level production, with many calling him “the worst player in the NBA”.

Defensive and Intangible Contributions

Proponents of Thanasis argue that his value lies in his defensive effort and locker-room presence. Standing at 6’6” with a 7’0” wingspan, he has the physical tools to be a disruptive defender. He averages 0.4 steals and 0.2 blocks per game, numbers that reflect his hustle but are hardly game-changing. His defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) is around 110, which is average at best and often inflated by playing in low-leverage minutes.

Thanasis is frequently described as a high-energy player who brings enthusiasm to practices and supports his teammates. However, these intangibles are difficult to quantify, and critics argue that they don’t justify a roster spot on a contending team like the Bucks, where every slot is critical for maximising championship odds.

The Nepotism Debate: Is Thanasis on the Bucks Because of Giannis?

The heart of the controversy surrounding Thanasis Antetokounmpo is the accusation of nepotism. Critics, including NBA legend Charles Barkley and analyst Shannon Sharpe, have openly questioned why Thanasis remains on the Bucks roster, pointing to his brother Giannis’s influence as a two-time MVP and franchise cornerstone. Let’s examine the arguments for and against the nepotism claims.

Evidence of Nepotism

1. Limited NBA-Caliber Production: As outlined above, Thanasis’s statistical output is among the lowest in the league. A 2023 article from Pulse Sports reported an NBA executive branding Thanasis as a product of nepotism, stating, “The rumor circulating social media is that Thanasis is only in the NBA because of his brother”. Fans on X echo this sentiment, with one user (@Not_Guccio) quipping in 2022 that Thanasis has “the best job in the NBA” because he secures a roster spot and millions in salary due to Giannis’s presence, despite rarely playing serious minutes.
2. Bucks’ Roster Decisions: The Bucks have retained Thanasis since 2019, even waiving and re-signing his younger brother Alex Antetokounmpo within 24 hours in 2023, prompting fans to mock the team for “hearing the nepotism jokes”. The fact that Thanasis has secured multi-year contracts (e.g., a two-year, $3.6 million deal in 2021) while producing minimal on-court impact fuels speculation that the Bucks prioritize keeping Giannis happy over optimizing their roster.
3. Comparisons to Other Cases: The drafting of Bronny James by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024 reignited discussions about nepotism, with Thanasis often cited as a parallel. A Basketball Forever article noted that Bronny’s selection drew attention to Thanasis, with critics arguing that both players benefit from their famous relatives’ influence. Charles Barkley has been particularly vocal, joking during the 2022 All-Star Game about Thanasis’s job security and later calling it a “compliment” when Thanasis responded positively.
4. Giannis’s Influence: Giannis is known to value family deeply, and reports suggest he has advocated for his brothers’ inclusion on the Bucks. A 2023 New York Post article quoted Shannon Sharpe criticizing Giannis for securing roster spots for both Thanasis and Alex, implying that their presence is tied to Giannis’s leverage as a superstar. This perception is reinforced by comments like those from Kendrick Perkins, who questioned Thanasis’s roster spot in a 2023 Fadeaway World piece.

Counterarguments: More Than Nepotism?

Thanasis and his supporters have pushed back against the nepotism narrative. In a 2024 interview, Thanasis responded to Charles Barkley’s jabs, saying, “That’s a compliment because that means I’m a good person”. He emphasized his work ethic, journey from the G League, and contributions to team morale. A Greek City Times article highlighted his role as a supportive teammate, noting that his presence fosters a positive locker-room environment, which is crucial for a championship-caliber team.

Additionally, some argue that Thanasis’s roster spot is not catastrophic. The Bucks won the 2021 NBA Championship with Thanasis on the roster, and his limited minutes (averaging 2.5 minutes per game in the playoffs) suggest he doesn’t detract from the team’s success. A Reddit user pointed out that if nepotism were the sole factor, the Bucks would have also retained their younger brother Kostas Antetokounmpo, who left the NBA after brief stints. This suggests that Thanasis may offer some value, even if it’s not reflected in box scores. However we have never really seen this in some concrete way. And every time someone says “yes, but it keeps Giannis happy” they are essentially admitting that a) Giannis is weak psychologically and b) that it IS indeed nepotism at its worse.

Is Thanasis’ presence catastrophic?

The perception that Thanasis’s roster spot is a “catastrophic” example of nepotism stems from several factors:

1. Opportunity Cost: NBA rosters are limited to 15 players, and every spot is valuable, especially for a contending team like the Bucks. Critics argue that Thanasis occupies a position that could be filled by a more productive player, such as a sharpshooter or defensive specialist. Maybe an experienced player that could make the difference for a few minutes in a critical playoff match up. A BroBible article from December 2024 stated, “Watch Thanasis play, and you can quickly tell he shouldn’t be anywhere close to an NBA roster”. This sentiment is amplified by the Bucks’ struggles in recent seasons, including early playoff exits in 2023 and 2024, which have heightened scrutiny of roster construction.
2. Fan and Media Backlash: Social media platforms are rife with criticism of Thanasis. A 2024 post from @TheNBACentel humorously quoted Thanasis as saying his job is to “high five the rotation players” and “stand up for Giannis,” encapsulating the perception that his role is ceremonial. YouTube videos with titles like “I’m Sorry, But Why Is Thanasis Antetokounmpo Still In The NBA???” amplify this narrative, often highlighting his mistakes or limited impact.
3. Contrast with Giannis’s Excellence: Giannis Antetokounmpo is a global superstar, a two-time MVP, and a Finals MVP. His dominance sets an impossibly high bar for his brothers, making Thanasis’s shortcomings more glaring. Fans and analysts expect players associated with Giannis to perform at a high level, and Thanasis’s inability to do so fuels the nepotism narrative.
4. They are not really that funny. Some claim that the brothers’ banter is social media worthy and entertaining. But this is really hard to support. Their presence at All Star games has always been a let down and their humour is…well…weird to put it politely. For sure it is not producing TV ratings or social media traffic in any good way.

A Balanced Perspective: Catastrophic or Overblown?

While the nepotism accusations carry weight, calling Thanasis’s presence on the Bucks roster “catastrophic” may be an overstatement. The Bucks have maintained a competitive roster, winning a championship in 2021 and remaining a top Eastern Conference team despite recent playoff disappointments. Thanasis’s limited minutes mean he rarely impacts games negatively, and his role as a locker-room leader may provide intangible benefits that outsiders cannot fully assess.

However, the opportunity cost of his roster spot cannot be ignored. In a league where marginal improvements can make or break a championship run, the Bucks’ decision to retain Thanasis over a more skilled player raises questions about priorities. The perception of nepotism is further fueled by Giannis’s undeniable influence, which likely ensures Thanasis’s job security. As one post noted, “Thanasis has had an NBA roster spot for years simply because Giannis is his brother,” a sentiment that resonates with many fans.

No excuse anymore for Thanasis in the NBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s NBA career is a polarizing case study. His statistical output is undeniably poor, with minimal contributions in scoring, rebounding, and advanced metrics. The persistent accusations of nepotism, backed by comments from figures like Charles Barkley and Shannon Sharpe, highlight the belief that his roster spot is tied to Giannis’s stardom rather than his own merit. While his energy and locker-room presence offer some value, the opportunity cost of his roster spot on a contending team like the Bucks fuels the “catastrophic” label.

Ultimately, Thanasis’s story reflects a broader tension in the NBA: balancing team chemistry and star player satisfaction with the relentless pursuit of optimal performance. Whether you view him as a nepotism beneficiary or a misunderstood role player, one thing is clear: his presence on the Bucks roster will continue to spark debate as long as Giannis remains the face of the franchise. The only positive spin you can put on it is that it is well and truly traditionally Greek to try and get your relatives a job like that!