“Green blood”, Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirms his loyalty to the Bucks
« Do you really think I want to leave? Do people really think I want to leave? » The answer is suggested in the rhetorical questions they ask Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Despite the rumors in the corridor, and the ever-increasing offers to return ithis loyalty to the Bucks remains the basis of his speech. In an interviewThe Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asks him what he really wants.
« You know. What I want, deep in my heart, is to stay a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career and win here », retorts the 31-year-old player, always forced to be a spectator of his team’s games, winner last night against the Bulls.
The reason: his right calf injury, which would almost alone show his commitment to the jersey. Because the Greek explains that he returned to the game too quickly after the first calf strain on December 3rd, only to be injured again on January 23rd. During this match against Denver, he was asked to leave the field early.
Without participating in discussions
But that was out of the question for him. ” I play because I have green blood. I play because I know what I did here. (…) What does this prove? Is this the behavior of a guy who doesn’t plan to stay here? Do my actions show that? I could tell you all I want, but what do my actions show? That I want to be here. I want to be here with people who know what it takes to win. »
The concern is that the Bucks are no longer winning as much as he would like. With 19 wins and 29 losses, the Milwaukee team is more than three games behind the Bulls, 10th in the East…
And there are few signs of optimism for the coming weeks. Hence this option of possibly trading a superstar, to start a long rebuilding process. The Greek assures that he does not contribute in any way – “ Zero. Zero. I don’t interfere » – to current discussions.
It seems that the person in question does not want the end of this story that we are going to talk about ” in twenty years “That 18-year-old kid who tiptoed to Wisconsin after being drafted in 2013 (15th pick).
More time in Milwaukee than at home
« I have spent more time in Milwaukee, Wisconsin than in my own country. I have made more memories in this city than in my country. The only memory I have of my country is selling things on the street, going to training, living in fear, protecting my brothers as much as I can and trying to be a good kid, a nice kid “, he recalls.
In Milwaukee, the future Hall of Famer says he learned almost everything: to be an NBA player, to be an All-Star, to be a champion, to be an MVP, but also to be a father…” I got married in Milwaukee. I had my children here. My father is buried here “, continues the Greek, proud to see the words “Wisconsin” on his children’s passports.
« So some people have the audacity to come up and say to me, ‘This guy doesn’t really like Milwaukee.’ I wouldn’t like Milwaukee? Not those who know. The people of this town know how much I love them. This city let me be me, let me be a father, let me be a husband, let me be my own true version of myself », says Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“How many chances do I have left to win the title?”
The fact remains that despite this love for the city, the turmoil of recent months has forced leaders not to rule out any scenario. In all cases, it appears they are bound to perform surgery in hopes of improving the roster and re-starting the team to aim for a “run” toward the playoffs. Or, conversely, blow everything up.
« How many chances do I have left to win the title? We need to be more careful and responsible in every decision we make for the future. That doesn’t change. I think I’ve been listening since day one and that will never change. I have tremendous respect, affection and regard for John (Horst, GM) and the owners, and always will be. It won’t change. But in the end… »
He takes a long pause before finishing his sentence: “We still have to explore the options.” He then continues with “ hypothetical scenarios ». « What if I played with LeBron (James)? What if I played with (Kevin Durant)? With (Michael) Jordan? Or with Kobe (Bryant)? Everyone is doing hypothetical scenarios. But at the end of the day, you have to commit somewhere, right? For 13 years, I have been here more than any other player. »
So Giannis Antetokounmpo has said it over and over: The 2021 NBA champion wants to wear a Bucks jersey until retirement and “ win the title here. Period. »
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | MIL | 77 | 24:38 | 41.4 | 34.7 | 68.3 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 6.8 |
| 2014-15 | MIL | 81 | 31:22 | 49.1 | 15.9 | 74.1 | 1.2 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 12.7 |
| 2015-16 | MIL | 80 | 35:17 | 50.6 | 25.7 | 72.4 | 1.4 | 6.2 | 7.7 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 16.9 |
| 2016-17 | MIL | 80 | 36:58 | 52.1 | 27.2 | 77.0 | 1.8 | 7.0 | 8.8 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 22.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIL | 75 | 36:45 | 52.9 | 30.7 | 76.0 | 2.1 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 | MIL | 72 | 10:45 p.m | 57.8 | 25.6 | 72.9 | 2.2 | 10.3 | 12.5 | 5.9 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 27.7 |
| 2019-20 | MIL | 63 | 30:26 | 55.3 | 30.4 | 63.3 | 2.2 | 11.4 | 13.6 | 5.6 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 29.5 |
| 2020-21 | MIL | 61 | 11:00 p.m | 56.9 | 30.3 | 68.5 | 1.6 | 9.4 | 11.0 | 5.9 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 28.1 |
| 2021-22 | MIL | 67 | 32:54 | 55.3 | 29.3 | 72.2 | 2.0 | 9.6 | 11.6 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 29.9 |
| 2022-23 | MIL | 63 | 32:08 | 55.3 | 27.5 | 64.5 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 5.7 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 31.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIL | 73 | 35:10 | 61.1 | 27.4 | 65.7 | 2.7 | 8.8 | 11.5 | 6.5 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 30.4 |
| 2024-25 | MIL | 67 | 34:10 | 60.1 | 22.2 | 61.7 | 2.2 | 9.7 | 11.9 | 6.5 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 30.4 |
| 2025-26 | MIL | 30 | 29:12 | 64.5 | 39.5 | 65.8 | 2.8 | 7.2 | 10.0 | 5.6 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 28.0 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-02-04 07:49:00
