Giannis Thread - 13th Season with the Bucks

[Coach Carter]

This is Giannis way of telling Horst that Kuzma sucks.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

He literally can't sign an extension right now. The 6-7 months thing is a throwaway comment because it's actually 12-months until he's eligible to re-sign, but the gist is the same ("we'll see" with this roster). Stop being so obtuse about it and doing everything you can to paint the most beloved franchise superstar ever as some sort of narcissistic locker room cancer.

Yeah, he's basically saying what we already knew based on the current situation. He is coming back, he is fully committed to leading this team and trying it from a different style. If it works, we are good and he signs the extension. If it doesn't, everyone is going to be looking in the mirror. Honestly, if I'm being obtuse I would be happy about the 6-7 months since if I was him it would be more of a February decision.

It never really made sense for the Bucks to even consider a Giannis trade this off-season. Next season, though, could be a different story. If we flame out in R1 again, I dont see the owners making another big splash (not even sure if they can). At that point I would ask to leave if I was Giannis and I would accommodate him if I was the owners.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

This is Giannis way of telling Horst that Kuzma sucks.

How do we pass that message along to Doc?

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Yeah you got a guaranteed contract worth 10's of million's of dollars at your gig? Apples to Oranges.

I wasn't the one that made the first comparison. I'm the one saying it's different.

In this day and age, I don't get why people think a guy like him should have some unbreakable loyalty to the Bucks* when he is just a human being. He's not from here, his family isn't from here, he didn't ask to come here. He has signed multiple contracts with us and gave us all he had that included a ring. As long as he leaves gracefully, there are no hard feelings

*Again, except for the abstract fans, who is he being loyal to? An owner, GM, coaches, teammates, training facility, stadium, workers, etc have all turned over since he has been here.

if anybody else on our team made comments like that theyd be mocked and thrown off the squad. your point is not made. if any of us were in any positions of leadership or on a team of people with specific long and short term goals and others were counting on us and we spoke this way we'd also get the side eye treatment.

no idea what kind of work youre in but obviously im referring to the types of employees that are actually important to their organizations. most arent and if thats you then thats why you might not be able to relate to my comment

Again you are comparing it to something that doesn't exist in the real world. If you really want to go down that route. Despite his high salary, he is just player. He doesn't have decision-making powers. He is trying to use any leverage he has but at the end of the day it isnt his call. I see it all the time for higher up where if their projects dont get the resources or funding, they make it clear they wont stick around to watch something fail. Hell, even my wife made a comment to her boss and peers last month where she questioned if it is worth sticking for a project that is getting phased out.

Sports are just so f-ing weird and fans have weird loyalty expectations. We trade Jrue Holiday (you know the guy that was just here for 3 years) and there was bunch of sob stories from fans how bad they felt for him but no one mentions the other guy that was starting for us a couple years that got shipped out as a stray from that trade. At the end of the day, these guys are all mercenaries. i don't think any of those guys really follow this all that much. You think Gary Trent is freaking out if we trade Giannis? Maybe a little in that a significant part of his next contract is dependent on a deep playoff run. Basically only Kuz (who will try trading in a second), Turner (who just got here) and Bobby (Who we have tried trading multiple times) are on long-term deals. BASICALLY EVERYONE ON THIS WHOLE ROSTER IS "Well I'm committed to this team this year, but I could look elsewhere in 7 months" Name me one player on the team that expects to be here next year for sure. I just don't buy this has any impact on the guys competing this year.

[Ron Swanson]

I still would have preferred having the freedom to wait until next offseason to put all our cards on the table for one last big trade. We'd have our 2026 1st, 2031 1st, 2032 pick swap, and 2033 1st plus Kuzma/Bobby/Turner salaries, and hell, if Rollins breaks out that gives you another cheap prospect/asset to throw in. Part of the reason why I thought it was so essential to flip Kuzma for another depreciated asset type guy (preferably a guard or wing) this offseason as well.

But now, seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months. I still think you could get away with maybe a minor Kuzma or Bobby move at the deadline while preserving your picks for a bigger fish in the summer of 2026, but this organization is probably too reactionary and freaked out about these Giannis developments. Bracing for something like a Wiggins trade in January where we "split the difference" and give up a pick swap or future first, with the idea that we can save the remaining 1-2 others for another offseason trade.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I still would have preferred having the freedom to wait until next offseason to put all our cards on the table for one last big trade. We'd have our 2026 1st, 2031 1st, 2032 pick swap, and 2033 1st plus Kuzma/Bobby/Turner salaries, and hell, if Rollins breaks out that gives you another cheap prospect/asset to throw in. Part of the reason why I thought it was so essential to flip Kuzma for another depreciated asset type guy (preferably a guard or wing) this offseason as well.

But now, seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months. I still think you could get away with maybe a minor Kuzma or Bobby move at the deadline while preserving your picks for a bigger fish in the summer of 2026, but this organization is probably too reactionary and freaked out about these Giannis developments. Bracing for something like a Wiggins trade in January where we "split the difference" and give up a pick swap or future first, with the idea that we can save the remaining 1-2 others for another offseason trade.

Some of this will just be luck on who is available. Hopefully there are some cap causalities where we could get another AS level player. I just dont know who that would be.

[Licensed to Il]

I used to make a six hour drive from my childhood home to a cabin up north. Eventually your brain memorizes every landmark and turn. You get to the last section, and it triggers emotion that you are almost there and the ride is almost over. That is what this season feels like. We just got to Wausau and there is only 50 minutes of this drive, left.

[DingleJerry]

He literally can't sign an extension right now. The 6-7 months thing is a throwaway comment because it's actually 12-months until he's eligible to re-sign, but the gist is the same ("we'll see" with this roster). Stop being so obtuse about it and doing everything you can to paint the most beloved franchise superstar ever as some sort of narcissistic locker room cancer.

Yea how is it any less of a dick move to lie and blow sunshine up everyone's ass right now. Then next offseason say, "sorry, i only have a few elite years left and I don't think we can win titles anymore so I'm gonna ask for a trade to have one last chance before I retire". Basically, him being honest to me isn't being a dick. Some might remember I've been for years here to roll my eyes here at all the stars over the years that say all the BS PR lines even though we all know they're full of it. Most people say they're full of it and make fun of them for lying. Now, when a guy basically tells the truth instead of PR speak, we still bash him. Guys can't win.

[humanrefutation]

I still would have preferred having the freedom to wait until next offseason to put all our cards on the table for one last big trade. We'd have our 2026 1st, 2031 1st, 2032 pick swap, and 2033 1st plus Kuzma/Bobby/Turner salaries, and hell, if Rollins breaks out that gives you another cheap prospect/asset to throw in. Part of the reason why I thought it was so essential to flip Kuzma for another depreciated asset type guy (preferably a guard or wing) this offseason as well.

But now, seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months. I still think you could get away with maybe a minor Kuzma or Bobby move at the deadline while preserving your picks for a bigger fish in the summer of 2026, but this organization is probably too reactionary and freaked out about these Giannis developments. Bracing for something like a Wiggins trade in January where we "split the difference" and give up a pick swap or future first, with the idea that we can save the remaining 1-2 others for another offseason trade.

The worst thing they could do is kneecap their ability to make a big move next summer by trading some of their chips for a non-difference-maker this season.

Barring a finals trip, I think, we're going into next offseason with serious questions about Giannis's commitment to Milwaukee going forward. Everyone will have to sit in a room and figure it out. Horst et al will need to have a plan to sell Giannis on making one big push. Giannis will have to decide whether that's enough to stay.

At that point, we'll have a sense of what the future of the conference looks like. Hali and Tatum will be on the way back. A post-Thibs Knicks will have season under their belt and a sense of whether they want to blow it up for Giannis. A Cavs team that disappointed last playoffs will have another run under their belt. Then you've got teams like Philly, Orlando, Detroit, and Atlanta that could go either way.

Giannis will be paying attention to all of that to gauge our chances, as will we when looking at potential suitors.

It'll be a hell of a ride.

[raferfenix]

seems like we're on a collision course for a big deadline move and we just have to hope that a really good fit develops on the trade market in the next 4-months.

Yes unless this team is wildly exceeding expectations (or is seriously awful and it's moot) it'll be tough to sit on our hands at the deadline waiting for our picks to accumulate on draft day.

I don't think Giannis is eyeing a particular asset like the 2031 first for a win now trade (whether it actually moves the needle or not) like LeBron does.

But the Bucks also ducked the tax this year. Very smart for the long run!

However, Giannis is obviously entirely opposed to this being any semblance of the "gap year" that had been floated earlier in the offseason, especially if he'd see a trade he thinks would put us over the top that we'd pass on.

[Ron Swanson]

I'll continue to push back on this notion that Giannis even remotely cares about playing GM, and all this stuff coming out only reinforces that idea. The organization is just doing what they think is gonna make Giannis content here, and always has. Sometimes shrewdly/aggressively (Jrue, Dame, Turner acquisitions), and sometimes stubbornly/idiotically (hiring Griffin, sticking with Doc based on some dumb reasoning that he actually helps their chances in getting Giannis to re-sign).

If the organizational brain trust simply made every move through the lens of what makes the team better basketball wise, and less focused on roster/coaching politics and freaking out over whatever perceived whim they think Giannis has, we're in a much better situation to contend for a championship right now.

[fan230]

I love Giannis and would be very sad if he leaves.
But Giannis is being realistic. He knows his athleticism will gradually reduce in the coming years. He is craving to be a long term Bucks if feasible. That is one reason why he and the Buckss too are buying into a point forward role for him a la a bit like Pippen. Because he wants to be a long term Bucks, he is trying to push the Bucks to build a good, young team around him. I wish the Bucks provide him all the support possible by building a good team around him. The Bucks are trying.


We are not going to get a player as good as Giannis in maybe 50 years. Let’s enjoy his years, hopefully multiple years, in Milwaukee. The greatest Bucks player ever. I look forward to seeing his statue a la Jordan, and tell youngsters of the future, I saw Giannis play for the Bucks and his incredible innate talent.

[pifhluk23]

No one else finds it concerning that Giannis Wife, kids & Mom will be in Athens while he's here playing basketball? Not from a he's going to demand to be traded standpoint but just being away from your family 8+ months. Something smells off about this or the fam just really hates Milwaukee.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

However, Giannis is obviously entirely opposed to this being any semblance of the "gap year" that had been floated earlier in the offseason, especially if he'd see a trade he thinks would put us over the top that we'd pass on.

It would be kind of insane for him to accept a gap year. I think he will have an earlier peak based on his style of play and injury history. i don't think it is crazy to say he only has 2 more years realistically as a Top 5 player, especially with some of the younger talent (Wemby-21, Jokic-I think he maintains his level of play better, Luka-26, SGA-26 are solid bets being better than Giannis in 2 years. Add in Tatum - 26, AntMan-23, Mitchell-28, Cade-24, Paolo-22).

He could rightly see this being his last 2 years as an Alpha dog. After that, he probably will need a lot of help like the 32-34 aged Miami Shaq with Wade. At this point, the only thing keeping Giannis from being considered a top 15 player is rings. If he gets 1-2 more, he passes clearly all the one-time wonders (KG, Dirk, KD (counting as 1), Oscar, West, Dr. J, Moses). Just depends on what is more important to Giannis: Being a local legend like Dirk or climbing up the ladder and getting rings like Shaq.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

He literally can't sign an extension right now. The 6-7 months thing is a throwaway comment because it's actually 12-months until he's eligible to re-sign, but the gist is the same ("we'll see" with this roster). Stop being so obtuse about it and doing everything you can to paint the most beloved franchise superstar ever as some sort of narcissistic locker room cancer.

saying **** like this out loud while the lockerroom is coming together is bull. defending it is whats obtuse. obviously KPJ, AJ and GTJ are probably thinking the exact same things with their contract situations..... but if they all came out and said that **** you wouldnt have a problem? our lockerroom would be a joke if everybody was saying that **** out loud to the media. its impossible youre even trying to defend it!

what if horst came out and said for now were committed to Giannis or any other player but we may change our mninds with how they play. like literally said that out loud in an interview. told the media that were gonna keep an eye on kuzma and maybe trade him if he doesnt play good.

the premise your defending is garbage for anybody but giannis why does he get a pass? he can talk this way but it would be conduct detrimental to the team if anybody else did? or as im suggesting shouldnt he should be the one setting the entire tone with something completely different lighting a fire up everybodys ass that this is it right here right now lets go back to back to back?

bottom line the most beloved franschise superstar needs to be like milwaukee ride or die....period. not im here, im locked in for now with this group but maybe in 6-7 months ill change my mind..... maybe what then? go be the next kareem?

if hes gonna do it then do it. dont say it now.... buy in, play under contract, keep your mouth shut....quit whenever you quit but whatever with this media ****.

i get theres the greek langauge thing and maybe theres stuff lost in translation but he adds just as much fuel to the fire with the way he talks as anybody out there. why cant we just have a guy coming in whose still under contract for TWO YEARS and be a badass leader that get a 100% buy in from everybody in the organization with what he says. i just dont get it

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

No one else finds it concerning that Giannis Wife, kids & Mom will be in Athens while he's here playing basketball? Not from a he's going to demand to be traded standpoint but just being away from your family 8+ months. Something smells off about this or the fam just really hates Milwaukee.

lots of us get it and some are in complete denial. its insanely bad news and not just for the longterm but for the immediate as well

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

I wasn't the one that made the first comparison. I'm the one saying it's different.

In this day and age, I don't get why people think a guy like him should have some unbreakable loyalty to the Bucks* when he is just a human being. He's not from here, his family isn't from here, he didn't ask to come here. He has signed multiple contracts with us and gave us all he had that included a ring. As long as he leaves gracefully, there are no hard feelings

*Again, except for the abstract fans, who is he being loyal to? An owner, GM, coaches, teammates, training facility, stadium, workers, etc have all turned over since he has been here.

if anybody else on our team made comments like that theyd be mocked and thrown off the squad. your point is not made. if any of us were in any positions of leadership or on a team of people with specific long and short term goals and others were counting on us and we spoke this way we'd also get the side eye treatment.

no idea what kind of work youre in but obviously im referring to the types of employees that are actually important to their organizations. most arent and if thats you then thats why you might not be able to relate to my comment

Again you are comparing it to something that doesn't exist in the real world. If you really want to go down that route. Despite his high salary, he is just player. He doesn't have decision-making powers. He is trying to use any leverage he has but at the end of the day it isnt his call. I see it all the time for higher up where if their projects dont get the resources or funding, they make it clear they wont stick around to watch something fail. Hell, even my wife made a comment to her boss and peers last month where she questioned if it is worth sticking for a project that is getting phased out.

Sports are just so f-ing weird and fans have weird loyalty expectations. We trade Jrue Holiday (you know the guy that was just here for 3 years) and there was bunch of sob stories from fans how bad they felt for him but no one mentions the other guy that was starting for us a couple years that got shipped out as a stray from that trade. At the end of the day, these guys are all mercenaries. i don't think any of those guys really follow this all that much. You think Gary Trent is freaking out if we trade Giannis? Maybe a little in that a significant part of his next contract is dependent on a deep playoff run. Basically only Kuz (who will try trading in a second), Turner (who just got here) and Bobby (Who we have tried trading multiple times) are on long-term deals. BASICALLY EVERYONE ON THIS WHOLE ROSTER IS "Well I'm committed to this team this year, but I could look elsewhere in 7 months" Name me one player on the team that expects to be here next year for sure. I just don't buy this has any impact on the guys competing this year.

if anybody anywhere is in a leadership position taking money for an organization talking about how they arent going to stick around while it fails then they are a crap employee. that includes your wife if shes still cashing her check and talking that way out loud to those around her. if its just you thats different

if you want to use the term mercenary and make this more like a military example that makes my case stronger. there have been many leaders thru mankinds history that took mercenary armies against incredible odds where they literally gave their life to a cause and ....for money. id like to think for 120 million the next two years that giannis would be that kind of leader for this team. not this other thing hes prancing out. he literally thru the guy signing his checks directly under the bus. the owner says giannis is committed and giannis says he doesnt recall ever saying that? its gross. its literally **** gross

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

if anybody anywhere is in a leadership position taking money for an organization talking about how they arent going to stick around while it fails then they are a crap employee. that includes your wife if shes still cashing her check and talking that way out loud to those around her. if its just you thats different

if you want to use the term mercenary and make this more like a military example that makes my case stronger. there have been many leaders thru mankinds history that took mercenary armies against incredible odds where they literally gave their life to a cause and ....for money. id like to think for 120 million the next two years that giannis would be that kind of leader for this team. not this other thing hes prancing out. he literally thru the guy signing his checks directly under the bus. the owner says giannis is committed and giannis says he doesnt recall ever saying that? its gross. its literally **** gross

Its gross the owners lied about it.

Again, maybe Giannis is in a "leadership position" but to me, it seems like he's just an employee. Dame was immediately cut out of no where and he was making $60m. Giannis really has no authority to make changes. He's literally a contracted employee. If Giannis takes plays off or tanks, sure its gross. But if he busts his ass and comes out as a Top 3 player, do you really think anyone at the Bucks or on the roster really cares that he said out loud that he's committed this year but keeping options open in the future? Hell no. KPj just wants to win and earn his next paycheck. Same with every guy on the roster. They also know that 2-6 of them won't be here in April whether Giannis stays or not.

You are drastically overrating the importance of players needing a leader to say "I want to be a Buck forever!". Most of these guys in a "Leadership Position" last year ... Dame, Midds, Brook, Pat ...arent on the roster today. All these players know they can be traded at any minute, and that includes Giannis (re: Luka). Today's NBA is a revolving door.

Here is the Bucks Opening Day Roster Last Year:
Still Here:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
A.J. Green
Andre Jackson, Jr. (Probably will be cut)
Chris Livingston
Bobby Portis
Ryan Rollins
Tyler Smith
Gary Trent, Jr.
Taurean Prince

Gone during the Season:
MarJon Beauchamp
A.J. Johnson
Khris Middleton
Delon Wright

Gone at End of Season:
Pat Connaughton
Damian Lillard
Brook Lopez
Liam Robbins
Stanley Umude

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Employees (or mercenaries) need to be laid off when they lose sight of their position.

All employees (or mercenaries) fall into 3 categories and its all based on time served....
1. They work for the organization....good
2.Theyre partnered with the organization...keep an eye on them
3. The organization works for me.... stick it inside a hole

This is the cycle of all. I am a MILWAUKEE BUCKS fan. I have been a MILWUAKEE BUCKS fan since before the antekounbros were ever born. My children and their children will be MILWAUKEE BUCKS fans long after he or more likely his children will ever remember the city they were born in let alone the bucks.

When a player, eapecially an injury prone prima donna, puts his career in front of my 40 year ibsession then its important as a fan to speak in terms of...."go **** yourself" and "what young guy comes next" and " dicks can eat dicks" and so forth....

We have a fun young team that plays the right way whether he suita up or not. Were FTD 2.0 and i love it. Myles is our Bogut.

I could give two **** about what giannis fan boys have to say about giannis. Im a MILWAUKKEE BUCKS fan who cried on the steps of my home when we traded for Jack sikma before social media and my father greeted me with the news after school ffs. I have no energy for dudes that throw owners under the bus because their effort and own skill and injury and age undermines the legacy they dream they should have when thir run just wasnt good enough.

im a fan of the MILWAUKEE BUCKS.......im no **** fan boy. Theres ALWAYS the guys who come next and we'll be no different

if you are a giannis fan boy then acknowledge the truth. getb a hold of yourself. dont target MILWAUKEE BUCKS fans as your enemy

[emunney]

if anybody else on our team made comments like that theyd be mocked and thrown off the squad. your point is not made. if any of us were in any positions of leadership or on a team of people with specific long and short term goals and others were counting on us and we spoke this way we'd also get the side eye treatment.

no idea what kind of work youre in but obviously im referring to the types of employees that are actually important to their organizations. most arent and if thats you then thats why you might not be able to relate to my comment

Again you are comparing it to something that doesn't exist in the real world. If you really want to go down that route. Despite his high salary, he is just player. He doesn't have decision-making powers. He is trying to use any leverage he has but at the end of the day it isnt his call. I see it all the time for higher up where if their projects dont get the resources or funding, they make it clear they wont stick around to watch something fail. Hell, even my wife made a comment to her boss and peers last month where she questioned if it is worth sticking for a project that is getting phased out.

Sports are just so f-ing weird and fans have weird loyalty expectations. We trade Jrue Holiday (you know the guy that was just here for 3 years) and there was bunch of sob stories from fans how bad they felt for him but no one mentions the other guy that was starting for us a couple years that got shipped out as a stray from that trade. At the end of the day, these guys are all mercenaries. i don't think any of those guys really follow this all that much. You think Gary Trent is freaking out if we trade Giannis? Maybe a little in that a significant part of his next contract is dependent on a deep playoff run. Basically only Kuz (who will try trading in a second), Turner (who just got here) and Bobby (Who we have tried trading multiple times) are on long-term deals. BASICALLY EVERYONE ON THIS WHOLE ROSTER IS "Well I'm committed to this team this year, but I could look elsewhere in 7 months" Name me one player on the team that expects to be here next year for sure. I just don't buy this has any impact on the guys competing this year.

if anybody anywhere is in a leadership position taking money for an organization talking about how they arent going to stick around while it fails then they are a crap employee. that includes your wife if shes still cashing her check and talking that way out loud to those around her. if its just you thats different

if you want to use the term mercenary and make this more like a military example that makes my case stronger. there have been many leaders thru mankinds history that took mercenary armies against incredible odds where they literally gave their life to a cause and ....for money. id like to think for 120 million the next two years that giannis would be that kind of leader for this team. not this other thing hes prancing out. he literally thru the guy signing his checks directly under the bus. the owner says giannis is committed and giannis says he doesnt recall ever saying that? its gross. its literally **** gross

I'm not sure if your premise is accurate or not here, but I do know that nobody's sticking a dozen microphones in front of a Triple Canopy guy's face every day asking him about the Navy. If they did, you might get some musing from time to time.

I think people are reading way too much into the specifics of everything Giannis said here. He said he's here and he's locked in, and he said he doesn't know how he's going to feel in the future. The first part is good to hear and the second part is true for literally anybody who's honest with themselves, if a bit impolitic to say out loud. Like you don't start your wedding vows with, "So here's how I feel RIGHT NOW..."

But that's kind of the point. This isn't a union for life and that's by design. It's a union for as long as it's working. We want him to say he's here forever but saying that wouldn't make it true. So we're left with the same situation we had before: we hope it keeps working.