Giannis Antetokounmpo’s arrival at the Miami Heat was seen as the fresh start the 10-time All-Star needed to have a shot at another championship. However, despite the hype surrounding the roster, the team has begun the 2026-27 season on a dismal note, dropping to 0-3 following their defeat to the Charlotte Hornets.

As criticism and questions about Erik Spoelstra’s team mounted, a video of Antetokounmpo looking dejected on the bench during Saturday’s loss sparked plenty of reactions across social media.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Heat Move Faces Early Questions

Giannis spent 13 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the franchise to the 2021 NBA championship and becoming its all-time leading scorer. But after the team’s tumultuous last season, concerns arose about the franchise’s ability to compete and the deteriorating relationship with its franchise cornerstone.

The Bucks eventually traded Antetokounmpo, along with Bobby Portis Jr., to Miami in July 2026 in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, and a package of draft picks.

The move has not produced the start the Greek Freak has hoped for. Miami lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons before falling 115-110 to Charlotte on Saturday, leaving the team at 0-3.

A clip of Giannis looking downcast on the bench quickly drew reactions from fans who believe he may regret the move, as one critic wrote: “I know regret when I see it.”

While another user joked that the forward “can’t wait to get outta there lol.”

Others were less sympathetic, as one fan argued: “Giannis really sacrificed his career for one Shams bomb and some cool media day pics with Bam. Now he’s sitting on the bench dealing with how [expletive] this team is… Horrific business decision.”

Another wrote, “This [expletive] funny because we literally ALL predicted this happening but Heat fans.”

The criticism also reflects frustration over the years of trade speculation surrounding him in Milwaukee. One fan wrote: “I genuinely do not feel bad. spent the last 2-3 years teasing leaving milwaukee. we’re not falling for the gimmick anymore.”

Antetokounmpo opened the season with 35 points against Minnesota and 36 against Detroit. However, the production was in vain, as Miami’s roster failed to provide him with the support to push the team across the line in both matchups.

His scoring dropped against Charlotte, where he finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He shot 4-for-11 from the field before being fouled out while also recording a team-worst minus-20 plus-minus.

The Heat had more scoring support in that game. Bam Adebayo finished with 20 points, while Davion Mitchell added 22 points and 10 assists.

Miami fought back after falling 23 points behind, but the comeback fell short in a 115-110 loss. Three games are too early to judge the trade, but the pressure is already building.

The 31-year-old joined Miami to improve his chances of winning another championship, but the 0-3 start and his crestfallen reaction have given fresh reasons to question whether the move will work out.