By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2021 NBA Finals MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named GQ Athlete of the Year, as announced on Monday. In the attached interview following on Tuesday, he talked with Zach Baron about moving to the next goal and did not exclude departing the team and the city he has called home since arriving in the NBA in 2013.
“One challenge was to bring a championship here and we did,” he pointed out regarding capturing the NBA championship in July, “It was very hard, but we did. Very, very hard. I just love challenges. What’s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here.”
On December 20, the Greek Freak penned a five-year, $228 million contract extension. The supermax extension lasts through the 2024-25 season and includes a player option for the 2025-26 season.
“Me and my family chose to stay in this city that we all love and has taken care of us—for now,” he said, “In two years, that might change. I’m being totally honest with you. I’m always honest. I love this city. I love this community. I want to help as much as possible.”
“I don’t think it’s, ‘I’m thinking about leaving the Bucks,’” added his agent Alex Saratsis on whether his client is contemplating leaving Milwaukee, “But I think he’s genuinely like: ‘Okay, I have reached the pinnacle. The next challenge is, let’s repeat.’ But what happens if you do repeat? What’s the next challenge? What is that next barrier? When you think about it from a basketball perspective, by the age of 26, this kid has accomplished everything. So sometimes you’re going to have to manufacture what those challenges are.”
Coming off the championship run, Antetokounmpo has been averaging 26.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per match over the first 13 games of the 2021-22 Regular Season. The Bucks sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 6-8 record.
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