Left image via thewest.com.au / right image via David Sherman/ NBAE/ Getty //
He tried his best…
The NBA is full of various names, numerous monikers ranging from short, long, simple and complex. There’s plenty of variety, and no doubt that makes for the occasional blunder here and there, but none quite as bad (or hilarious) as Channel Seven newsreader Basil Zempilas.
The reporter was talking about NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo being in trouble after an infamous headbutt during a game the other day. But however, Zempilas became the subject of controversy himself, after straight up butchering Antetokounmpo’s name live on air, but pushing forward nonetheless.
“One of the NBA’s biggest star’s is in hot water on the eve of the playoffs, Giannis An-te-toka-toma-too was ejected for headbutting during the Bucks penultimate regular season game against the Wizards.” As you’d expect, the hate came from all directions, with various voices in Aussie media having a laugh at the blunder.
“This man really called him Giannis AN-te-TOKA-toma-TOO … and then made Dame a French man. Heaven help us,” Aussie ESPN writer Olgun Uluc wrote, while others like basketball analyst Josh Lloyd simply tweeted “embarrassing” and “on behalf of all Australian NBA fans, I’m sorry”.
Hahahaha probably the most butchered pronunciation of Antetokounmpo followed by Damian LILLIARD. Thanks Basil. pic.twitter.com/DnBbCt9QjQ
— Matthew Giorgi (@Mattgiorgi9) August 12, 2020
Zempilas isn’t alone however, with countless NBA fans and high profile figures (even Barack Obama) messing up the name themselves. So many have gotten it wrong that Antetokounmpo himself had to release a video way back in 2017, explaining how to pronounce it (the video has since clocked over a million views). Check it out below to avoid making the same mistake as old mate Bas the next time the NBA comes up in conversation.
