Giannis Antetokounmpo has been with the Milwaukee Bucks since being drafted with the fifteenth total choose in 2013. Over the previous 12 years, he has turn into one of the vital dominant gamers within the NBA, profitable two MVPs within the course of.
Antetokounmpo is an unstoppable pressure within the open courtroom and one of the vital underrated drive-and-dish playmakers on this planet. When surrounded by high-level expertise, he is the kind of participant who can lead you to a championship.
Sadly for Milwaukee and Antetokounmpo, that hasn’t been the case in recent times. Since being topped champions in 2021, the Bucks have stagnated. They failed to deal with their growing older roster, waited too lengthy to maneuver on from Khris Middleton and completely missed their swing on Damian Lillard.
Now, for the primary time in his profession, Antetokounmpo’s future appears to be like likely to be away from Milwaukee.
“The 2-time NBA MVP has not made any agency choices on his Bucks future after the franchise’s third consecutive postseason exit within the first spherical, however, for the primary time in his profession, Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring whether or not his greatest long-term match is remaining in Milwaukee or enjoying elsewhere, league sources instructed ESPN,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday.
“Legacy” is a buzzword within the NBA. Each high-level participant is targeted on how we keep in mind their title or their accolades as soon as they retire. Nevertheless, the idea of what a legacy is, in NBA phrases, is seldom mentioned.
The reality is, there are two sorts of legacy. The primary is a legacy inside a franchise, often reserved for lifers who caught issues out by thick and skinny. And the second relies on championships, gamers who received in any respect prices, no matter what it took to get there.
You’ll be able to argue that Antetokounmpo already holds franchise-legacy standing with Milwaukee. And when you could be proper, if he decides to leave the Bucks this summer season, he’ll undoubtedly dilute that legacy among the many fanbase. At that time, he is chasing a legacy constructed on championships.
Only a few gamers get to stake a declare for outright legacy within the NBA, the type of legacy the place the participant received a number of rings whereas being a lifer with one staff. Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan have been the final gamers to take action. Stephen Curry is up subsequent. Till Monday, it appeared like Antetokounmpo could be subsequent in line, too. He nonetheless might be.
Antetokounmpo must determine which kind of legacy he is chasing. He should make peace with how he desires to be remembered and what’s most vital to him and his profession. Proper now, he is on a path reserved for a few of the largest stars in historical past. Leaping ship now will alter that course.
Nobody will begrudge Antetokounmpo if he chooses to leap ship. Nevertheless, earlier than making the choice, he have to be positive it is one he can dwell with as a result of it can observe his profession for the remainder of time.
