Giannis Antetokounmpo on ladder incident

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There was a strange scene following Milwaukee's loss to Philadelphia at Wells Fargo Center on Friday night.

After the game, Antetokounmpo said he had never tried to disrespect anyone. Today is an unfortunate event that took place.

On Friday, Antetokounmpo went 4-for-15 from the charity stripe, his second game in a row in which he failed to convert from the stripe. This came after a 4-for-11 night at the line.

After the game, Antetokounmpo went back to the locker room and practiced some free throws.

Things took a strange turn at that point.

After Antetokounmpo made seven free throws in a row, he took the ball away and wouldn't give it back. He was upset that Antetokounmpo was preventing him from working on his own before Philadelphia played the second half of a back-to-back against Minnesota on Saturday night.

Antetokounmpo said he respected every player. Some players don't play anymore, they want to work on their skills, and I told them we could shoot together. I was told that this is their court and I should leave. I wanted to make 10 in a row and I had three more free throws. I have shot eight ones. I was surprised when the ball was taken away from me. I don't think it's very professional. I wouldn't take the ball away from an athlete who is trying to do his job.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo tried to talk to Harrell at the other end of the court, but he left with the ball. When reporters were aware of what had happened, he had left the locker room. The 76ers organization wouldn't say anything about what happened.

His explanation of what happened was posted on his account.

Make sure you get the full story. I asked the man if he could get off the court so I could work out, but he ignored me, so they changed the court over. It's a good thing that respect is a thing. Thank you for the good night!

After getting two more balls from Philadelphia's locker room, Antetokounmpo returned to the court to finish his routine. There was a ladder in front of the basket by that time.

There was a ladder in front of Antetokounmpo as he went back to shoot. I asked if he could move the ladder. They denied it. I asked if they could move the ladder. They didn't say yes. I asked if he could move the ladder because I had two more free throws. They denied it.

Antetokounmpo moved the ladder out of the way as he walked to the basket. Antetokounmpo pushed the ladder out of the way when the arena workers moved it again. The ladder tipped over and fell on its side.

After finishing his routine, Antetokounmpo went back to Milwaukee's locker room and was upset. Later, he spoke to reporters.

"I don't know if I should apologize because I don't feel like I did anything wrong, except the ladder just fell. I feel like it's my right for me to work on my skills after a horrible night at the free throw line. I think anybody in my position that had a night like me would go out and work on his free throws. And if they didn't, they don't really care about their game." Giannis Antetokounmpo

Antetokounmpo said that people will make things look the way they want them to look. I don't know if I meant to push the ladder down. I didn't. I tried to push it and it fell. People will make it look like they want it to look.

I am aware of what occurred. There are cameras all over this court. People getting in my face can be shown in the video. I want to stay out of those things.

I don't know if I should apologize because I don't think I did anything wrong, but the ladder just fell. I want to work on my skills after a bad night at the free throw line. If I had a night like that, I would work on my free throws.

They don't care about their game if they didn't.

He said that he wouldn't disrespect anyone in the league and that he believed his reputation precedes him.

He thinks that everyone knows his character. I never try to disrespect anyone within the NBA, within my coaching staff, or within the opposing team. Whenever I've been asked about a player, I've always respected their words. I haven't disrespected an opponent coach or a staff. I always shake the hand of the ball boys when I shoot and finish my routine because I know it's hard for them to chase balls over and over again. My ball boys and ball girls live in Milwaukee. They help us when we shoot and I try to do it as well. I'm known for this.

Antetokounmpo had a simple answer when he was asked what was causing his poor free throw shooting.

He shrugged and said he wasn't making them. It's simple as that. I don't think there is a problem. The ball is not hitting the ground.