Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has a new intriguing statement about playing alongside both of his brothers – Thanasis, who’s already with him in Milwaukee, and Kostas, who’s with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here’s what The Greek Freak told USA Today Sports earlier this week:
“I think [playing with my brothers] would be amazing… I’m 100% sure my Mom would love that… If we could team-up in a team – Milwaukee or L.A. – that would be amazing”
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The key part there is Giannis mentioning L.A., something that he hasn’t exactly done before. He has always professed his love for Milwaukee and the minimal media attention the city gets.
As the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player and leader of arguably the best team in the league, be it record, offense, or defense-wise, jumping ship to LA would send shockwaves around the basketball world. It would set the small-market Bucks tumbling down yet again and bring another imbalance in the league, because as you know, the Lakers already have the firepower of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. You might’ve heard of them.
How will the Bucks and Lakers fight for Giannis?
It’s all about snagging Thanasis and Kostas more than anything. Whoever gets the two other Antetokounmpos should be able to lure the big fish.
With the contracts of Giannis and Thanasis both expiring after the 2020-21 campaign, the battle could begin around Kostas this coming off-season, when his two-way deal with L.A. is due to end. The Lakers are likely to bring the youngster back to keep the pursuit alive, and the Bucks would be there, breathing down their necks.
Is Giannis someone who would form a super team?
Today’s stars are probably shying away from building super teams after witnessing the massive backlash that came across LeBron James in 2010 and Kevin Durant in 2016, which is still in effect to this day. Also, Giannis is one of the many that look up to the late great Kobe Bryant, who, more than ever before, has become a symbol of competitiveness and is seen as the anti-super team. While Bryant almost went to Chicago twice, during his 2004 feud with Shaquille O’Neal and again in 2007, he eventually went on to remain a Laker for life and bring two more titles to the storied franchise after O’Neal moved to the Miami Heat.
Then again…
The boom of social media has allowed fans to constantly remind players, particularly superstars, that the game is championship or bust. When they keep falling short of the goal, like LeBron and KD did, the pressure from everyone will inevitably pile up, and that’s when the idea of a having a super team starts to become more and more desirable.
The postseason fate of Giannis and the Bucks for the next two years will be telling. If they fail to win a title, be concerned Bucks Nation, be very concerned.
