By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
It has been a crazy ride for both Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks since the 2013 NBA draft. Everything from the early developing struggles to the back-to-back MVP distinctions has led to the 2021 NBA Finals. The Bucks are down 1-0 to the Phoenix Suns in the best-of-seven series.
“It’s a goal of mine,” said Antetokounmpo replying to a question about winning the NBA championship in Milwaukee, “Obviously you see a lot of people having different routes. You can never judge anybody for the way he chooses to win a championship. But at the end of the day, doing it in the team you started, I feel like it means more.”
The Bucks had selected him 15th overall back in 2013. It did not look great from the start, but a calculated risk in a player coming from obscurity has paid off spectacularly, to say the least. The Greek Freak has since evolved into a top player of the NBA with a couple of MVP honors and five All-Star Game berths to his name hoping to combine those with an NBA championship.
“For me, it’s a dream,” he added, “Every player in the NBA wants to win a championship. But doing it with the team that drafted you, the city that embraced you, the organization that helped you, it means a lot.”
The Bucks and Suns square off again on Thursday evening in Phoenix. Game 3 and Game 4 are planned to be held in Milwaukee on Sunday and Wednesday.
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