Beacons ready for next steps toward success

SOC: Valparaiso wraps up spring season with win over DePaul

Giannis Antetokounmpo went viral earlier this week.

Fresh off one of the most monumental upsets in NBA history, the Milwaukee Bucks star was asked if he viewed the 2022-23 season as a failure. The Bucks had the best record in the regular-season and were considered the favorites to win their second NBA title in three years.

Instead, the upstart Miami Heat, led by Jimmy Butler, eliminated the Bucks in five games. Antetokounmpo, who has been known to get a little deep in press conferences, didn’t hold back when The Athletic’s Eric Nehm asked about failure.

“It’s not a failure,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s steps to success. Michael Jordan played 15 years. Won six championships. The other nine years was a failure? That’s what you’re telling me.”

“There’s no failure in sports. You know, there are good days, bad days, some days you are able to be successful. Some days you’re not. Some days it’s your turn, some days it’s not your turn. And that’s what sports is about. You don’t always win. Some other people (are) going to win. And this year, somebody else is going win. Simple as that. We’re going to come back next year, try to be better, try to build good habits, try to play better…hopefully we can win a championship.”

The words might have hit close to home for the Valparaiso women’s soccer program.