Giannis Antetokounmpo re-signing with the Milwaukee Bucks could be wishful thinking
If we can take all the constructive wisdom about relationships that have been historically stated
and reaffirmed throughout the millions of relationships that have flourished and folded, and
minimized them to the single most significant takeaway from relationships in general, it would
be that breakups are very difficult.
Even the ones that claim that they’re still friendly and cordial with their former partners will not deny at least a little awkwardness when pressed on the issue.
When it comes to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s incredible development under the Milwaukee Bucks, the story has been magical but far from perfect. Although it’s not mentioned enough, the Bucks deserve a ton of credit for Giannis’ development as a player and person.
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
- NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24
It doesn’t have the glamour of Los Angeles or the historical intrigue of New York, but what Milwaukee does have, is a hardworking, family-oriented, blue-collar image to the global public; and for a superstar that is more focused on winning than any Hollywood spotlight, the Bucks have been a perfect partner to the Greek Freak.
Prior to drafting Antetokounmpo 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, you could make an argument that the Bucks hadn’t acquired a franchise star since they drafted Lew Alcindor 1st overall, in 1969 and acquired Oscar Robertson via trade in 1970.
Giannis has always been straight-forward regarding his intentions on re-signing with the Bucks;
he has expressed that his goal is to win championships, and if the Bucks do so, then he will see
no reason not to re-sign with the team.
Although that may be true, I am not buying it. Since Giannis expressed that sentiment, his brand as well as his on-court dominance has sky-rocketed. Antetokounmpo has become a perennial MVP and league-recognized boogeyman of the Eastern Conference. It’s also evident that the Bucks have reached the completion of their “build around Giannis” plan so if it fails, there really doesn’t seem like there’s a back-up plan.
Nobody is joining the Greek Freak in Milwaukee via free agency or trade, therefore if Antetokounmpo wins with the Bucks, it’ll be with Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe. The Bucks were the perfect destination for a young and unknown 18-year-old from Greece but it
appears the student has become the master and the time for his departure could almost upon us.
Giannis’ unbelievable brand potential in a larger market is too massive to ignore; he’s also never
played with another superstar, which could possibly unlock the very best Greek Freak we’ve
ever seen, and if you don’t think he has thought about that, you’re kidding yourself. He’s doing
almost everything on both ends of the court for a team that would barely be a playoff team
without him, and he is doing it while leading the Bucks to the best record in the league.
Just imagine how efficiently dominant Giannis would be if he was paired with another superstar.
Milwaukee treats their basketball stars like royalty. They welcome them with open arms and do
everything they can from day one to maintain a powerful affection that overtakes all the
negatives that come with playing for a small-market team in the Midwest.
Sadly, however, the stars rarely stay. From Marques Johnson to Ray Allen, the Bucks haven’t had the best luck with star players. Even after winning multiple MVPs, scoring titles, and even a championship, Bucks legend Lew Alcindor asked for a trade to the Lakers or Knicks after September 1974, claiming the Midwest did not fit his “cultural needs.”
Time will tell if either history repeats itself with Giannis’ departure or if the Bucks proudly prove that a small-market club can keep its MVP via astute planning and team-building. I don’t buy that a championship victory will keep Giannis in Milwaukee just as it didn’t keep Kawhi Leonard in Toronto.
If anything, it may justify his burning desire to move-on to a larger market that is a better fit for his cultural needs too.