Perplexed Giannis Antetokounmpo delivers fiery response to Bucks' Christmas Day schedule snub

For years, the Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the toughest teams in the entire league. They were the NBA champions just three years ago, and most of that core is still there.

That's why it was surprising that we wouldn't be able to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo play on Christmas Day.

Moreover, the former 2x MVP admitted to being upset about it, questioning the league's methods for picking the teams that would get to play:

“I’m a little bit upset or kind of questioning it,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic in an interview posted on Monday. “But I really believe there’s probably an algorithm that takes place within the NBA that shows who is the most attractive team or which team gets the most attention for them to be able to play in the Christmas game.”

“There’s gotta be an algorithm because if it’s — how can I say — like a popularity contest, I can give you facts,” Antetokounmpo continued. “You want me to? Two of the NBA All-Star starters, Dame (Lillard) and Giannis, and the All-Star MVP, right? And the No. 1 vote-getter — not in the East, in the whole NBA — is not in the Christmas game? What? No, it’s a fact.”

Antetokounmpo continued his statement by calling out the league, hinting at their small market as the reason why they weren't chosen to play in one of the most iconic days of the slate:

“The votes came out last year. I was the No. 1. Dame was a starter. I was a starter. Dame won the MVP. Dame won the 3-point contest. Maybe that has nothing to do with it. I believe we were one of the best teams in the East last year. Maybe not this year, OK. We don’t get a Christmas game. Why? Because we got a small market? Maybe that’s the case. Or I want to believe what I tell you, I think there’s an algorithm within the NBA that they choose which team will get the most attention, the most viewership that day.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are hitting their stride

The Bucks got off to a slow start to the season, but they've picked things up over the past couple of weeks.

Doc Rivers' team has now won seven of their last 10 games, along with winning the Emirates NBA Cup final on Dec. 17.

The Bucks are 15-12 and in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. While that's not as good as they're used to being, it's been a remarkable turnaround after a 2-8 start to the campaign.

They won't be playing on Christmas, but if they keep things up, they will be a dangerous team come playoff time and that's even more important.