It was a little over a year ago when two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo made the decision to re-sign with the team that drafted him — the Milwaukee Bucks — and remain loyal to the franchise and city that welcomed him with open arms.
His decision paid off in a big way, leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971 following a supermax extension in the offseason.
“I think he’s never wanted to take an easy way out,” Antetokounmpo’s agent Alex Saratsis said. “In every aspect of life. He wants to be challenged.”
It was a decision that went against the NBA grain, choosing to stay with a team even when times were tough, and has made him a fan-favorite in Milwaukee. But Antetokounmpo’s recent comments in an interview with GQ Magazine should make Milwaukee fans at least a tad concerned.
“One challenge was to bring a championship here and we did,” Antetokounmpo told GQ. “It was very hard, but we did. Very, very hard. I just love challenges. What’s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here.”
“Me and my family chose to stay in this city that we all love and has taken care of us—for now,” Giannis said. “In two years, that might change. I’m being totally honest with you. I’m always honest. I love this city. I love this community. I want to help as much as possible.”
It’s a fascinating comment, but not one that comes as a massive surprise. An NBA star staying with one team for the entirety of his career is now unheard of. Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry may be the last of his kind, and Antetokounmpo did give the city of Milwaukee everything they could dream of.
LeBron James returned to Cleveland after leaving for the Miami Heat and delivered a championship, making his second departure much easier for the city of Cleveland to swallow. Will Antetokounmpo do something similar? His agent doesn’t think Antetokounmpo’s comments mean he’s necessarily thinking of leaving Milwaukee. Instead, he says that Giannis is simply always looking for a challenge.
“I don’t think it’s, ‘I’m thinking about leaving the Bucks,’” Saratsis told GQ. “But I think he’s genuinely like: ‘Okay, I have reached the pinnacle. The next challenge is, let’s repeat.’ But what happens if you do repeat? What’s the next challenge? What is that next barrier? When you think about it from a basketball perspective, by the age of 26, this kid has accomplished everything,” Saratsis said. “So sometimes you’re going to have to manufacture what those challenges are.”
Milwaukee has struggled to start off the 2021-2022 campaign, currently sitting at 6-8, losers of seven of their last ten. It would be unfair to judge Milwaukee on their early season struggles, however. Kris Middelton has played in just six games so far this season as he recovers from COVID-19, though he’s expected to make his return Wednesday night against the LA Lakers.
“I’ve been working out the last couple of days here while guys were on the road,” Middleton said after Tuesday’s practice. “In practice, I felt good. But everybody knows game shape is a totally different ballgame. I can’t wait to see how I feel tomorrow.”
Jrue Holiday missed six games after being injured on opening night, and Brook Lopez has missed all but one game as he deals with a back injury.
There are still many challenges to conquer in Milwaukee. The city of Milwaukee hopes to have Antetokounmpo’s help in all of them.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
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Source: Dailywire
