Giannis Antetokounmpo on Bucks: I want to stay in a winning organization

Even Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had made the Bucks faithful so nervous when he spoke openly about the prospect of leaving Milwaukee with the New York Times and on the “48 minutes” podcast, didn’t know that the trade was in the works. “No idea,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic recently. “No idea. But I understand why, because Jrue Holiday is my guy. And I don’t want (to be part of that process). I don’t do this. I was lifting weights (at the practice facility) with the strength and conditioning coach (Suki Hobson), and Suki said, ‘Oh!’ (as she looked at the news on her phone). And I said, ‘What’s going on?’ And then she showed me.” -via The Athletic / October 23, 2023

His trust in Jon Horst, who was part of the John Hammond-led front office that drafted Antetokounmpo as an 18-year-old in 2013, runs deep. “I’ve said many times that I don’t want to be aware of things that affect people’s lives,” Antetokounmpo said. “At the end of the day, if you trade somebody it affects his life, or if you fire somebody, it affects his life. For me, I cannot be a part of that. And I want to stay away. From the early years, 2016, 2017, with the first conversations, (Bucks officials would) say, ‘Giannis, what do you think about this?’ (He’d say), ‘Guys, I’m going to take a step back in this. What I want to know is that we always have a chance to win. I trust you guys, and you guys are going to do that. And I think Jon has done a great job doing that for years now.” -via The Athletic / October 23, 2023

In the meantime, James’ already untouchable status as one of the greatest ever to play only continues to rise — among his peers if not among the general public. “Some guys might say he is No. 2, but other guys like me, I say he is No. 1, and he’s still going,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, putting it plainly that he believes James is the best NBA player ever, ahead of Michael Jordan. -via The Athletic / October 23, 2023