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Giannis Antetokounmpo Left Feeling A Little Confused After Shaquille O’Neal Tried To Congratulate Him In Greek

Giannis Antetokounmpo Left Feeling A Little Confused After Shaquille O’Neal Tried To Congratulate Him In Greek

The 'Greek Freak' had just been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year when Shaq stole the show live on air.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Fans are in hysterics after Shaquille O'Neal tried speaking Greek to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo live on air.

Athens-born Giannis had just been named Defensive Player of the Year when Shaq tried to congratulate him in his native tongue - a move that backfired massively on the NBA on TNT host.

The man dubbed the 'Greek Freak' was left scratching his head and looking awkwardly into the camera when four-time NBA champ Shaq finished his introductory sentence.

When translated, O'Neal basically congratulated Giannis for his achievements.

But even Greek-speaking Giannis was struggling to make out what the larger-than-life personality was trying to say.

With the other members of the panel laughed, Shaq said: "Did you understand my Greek, brother?"

To which Giannis responded: "Umm, I did a little bit."

Giannis Antetokounmpo.
PA

While Shaq's execution was a bit off, it's the initial thought that counts. Right?

Either way, the brilliant moment and priceless reaction left viewers watching from home chuckling to themselves.

Shaq's NBA on TNT co-host Charles Barkley then challenged him to pronounce Giannis' full name correctly - offering $10,000 to charity if he could do it successfully.

And the big man wasted no time in shutting his co-host up.

"Giannis Antetokounmpo," Shaq said without hesitation.

"Now that Giannis is Defensive Player of the Year I've got to start showing him some respect."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Basketball, NBA, Australia

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

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@maxysherry