Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a superstar for a small-market team, yet the bright lights of a big city don’t appeal to the Milwaukee Bucks forward right now.
In an interview with Marc Stein of The New York Times, Antetokounmpo said he thinks he’d be a different player elsewhere.
I’m a low-profile guy. I don’t like all these flashy cities like L.A. or Miami. I don’t know if I could be the same player if I played in those cities.”
That must be relieving news for Bucks fans, who have experienced the difficulty the franchise has battled in attracting marquee free agents. Antetokounmpo clearly has MVP ability, and Milwaukee wants to enjoy his career as long as possible.
Fortunately for the organization, he’s already locked up through the 2020-21 season, per Basketball Insiders.
But it’s safe to say Antetokounmpo is already on the radar of franchises looking ahead. Superstars only come around so often, and his combination of talent and size is particularly unique.
Antetokounmpo is still improving as a shooter, yet he’s racked up 31.3 points per game on 60.0 percent shooting. The 22-year-old is tremendous at attacking the rim and excels in transition, using his long strides and budding physicality to create favorable looks.
And on defense, he’s a monster. Antetokounmpo — who cruised to the Most Improved Player Award last season — averaged 3.5 combined blocks and steals in 2016-17 and has notched 2.9 this year.
Antetokounmpo has also grabbed 10.6 rebounds and dished 5.1 assists through eight 2017-18 games, rounding out the evidence for his elite, versatile skills.
The scariest part? He’s still learning this NBA thing. Antetokounmpo is a legend in the making, and Milwaukee figures to throw every dollar possible at him to keep him away from a flashy city.
Best of all for the Bucks, though, he might not want to leave anyway.