Giannis Thread - 13th Season with the Bucks

[midranger]

I’m not going to claim that Shams has unimpeachable journalistic integrity but if you asked me what is more likely…

1. He’s invented every rumor and innuendo about Giannis on his own from whole cloth.

Or

2. Everything he’s reported is basically what he’s been told from someone in Giannis’s camp (with the standard 2025 15% sensationalism to generate clicks).


… it’s obviously 2.

That said his agent could’ve told shams something like’ “Giannis better be feeling better about the direction of the team by the time Horst visits him in Greece in late July or decisions will need to be made,” and Shams runs with it a “Late summer deadline”. Who knows it there’s ulterior motives on behalf of the agent as well, ie pressure Bucks into doing something (signing Thanasis or making a big swing).

Who knows? The thought that all of it is just a Shams fever dream feels delusional.

[Ron Swanson]

Shams is full of **** and always has been. That also doesn't mean that we can't read the tea leaves and see the writing on the wall if things go badly this season. There've been red flags all around that point to this season being a real inflection point for Giannis that past seasons/summers simply haven't.

He extended shortly after we made the Jrue trade in 2020. He didn't extend in 2023 because we hired "his guy" to coach. He extended the second after we pulled off the Dame trade. Dude's always committed when he sees the team is serious about upgrading the roster, so again, Horst better have his best Kuzma and/or Bobby plus picks/swaps trade lined up at the trade deadline.

[emunney]

Shams is full of **** and always has been. That also doesn't mean that we can't read the tea leaves and see the writing on the wall if things go badly this season. There've been red flags all around that point to this season being a real inflection point for Giannis that past seasons/summers simply haven't.

He extended shortly after we made the Jrue trade in 2020. He didn't extend in 2023 because we hired "his guy" to coach. He extended the second after we pulled off the Dame trade. Dude's always committed when he sees the team is serious about upgrading the roster, so again, Horst better have his best Kuzma and/or Bobby plus picks/swaps trade lined up at the trade deadline.

Yeah, it's easy to understand Giannis' skepticism entering this offseason and if he's leaving the door cracked now, I also get that. This is the first time since he's established himself as a basketball god that his team is full of unestablished players. Also this is not all on Shams and his painfully clumsy language, as a lot of the fuss around this is based on other peoples' interpolations into his reporting (took a surprising amount of willpower to not put "reporting" in quotes) -- see Barkley's recent comments as one small example of this. If anything the fact that he's still here testifies to the fact that he views leaving Milwaukee for another team as a last resort and is happy to find reasons to stay.

[jakecronus8]

Does anyone have a direct quote from Giannis himself refuting the Mariah/family greece stuff? Not something cagey and open ended. A direct "No, my family is in Milwaukee." If not I'm inclined to believe it.

[Dick Tate]

2. Everything he’s reported is basically what he’s been told from someone in Giannis’s camp (with the standard 2025 15% sensationalism to generate clicks).

I think Shams was pushing that 15% mark when Giannis put out the "Does anyone miss Woj?" tweet.

[midranger]

I’m in Cyclades currently. I can see the appeal.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Shams is full of **** and always has been.

just curious but did everybody here see Giannis quote about there being truth to every rumor and how he spends his summers "exploring options". Like have you guys read his actual words?

i dont understand some of these posts yall are making since giannis went on record himself. im not trying to start **** but its almost like folks here just arent up to speed on what is out there now about this situation

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

I’m not going to claim that Shams has unimpeachable journalistic integrity but if you asked me what is more likely…

1. He’s invented every rumor and innuendo about Giannis on his own from whole cloth.

Or

2. Everything he’s reported is basically what he’s been told from someone in Giannis’s camp (with the standard 2025 15% sensationalism to generate clicks).


… it’s obviously 2.

That said his agent could’ve told shams something like’ “Giannis better be feeling better about the direction of the team by the time Horst visits him in Greece in late July or decisions will need to be made,” and Shams runs with it a “Late summer deadline”. Who knows it there’s ulterior motives on behalf of the agent as well, ie pressure Bucks into doing something (signing Thanasis or making a big swing).

Who knows? The thought that all of it is just a Shams fever dream feels delusional.

obviously im not talking about you. obviously you can read. good post

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

2. Everything he’s reported is basically what he’s been told from someone in Giannis’s camp (with the standard 2025 15% sensationalism to generate clicks).

I think Shams was pushing that 15% mark when Giannis put out the "Does anyone miss Woj?" tweet.

giannis literally threw our owner under the bus with the same bull ****. midranger nailed it

[Shaffty]

I’m not going to claim that Shams has unimpeachable journalistic integrity but if you asked me what is more likely…

1. He’s invented every rumor and innuendo about Giannis on his own from whole cloth.

Or

2. Everything he’s reported is basically what he’s been told from someone in Giannis’s camp (with the standard 2025 15% sensationalism to generate clicks).


… it’s obviously 2.

That said his agent could’ve told shams something like’ “Giannis better be feeling better about the direction of the team by the time Horst visits him in Greece in late July or decisions will need to be made,” and Shams runs with it a “Late summer deadline”. Who knows it there’s ulterior motives on behalf of the agent as well, ie pressure Bucks into doing something (signing Thanasis or making a big swing).

Who knows? The thought that all of it is just a Shams fever dream feels delusional.

even in your fantasy scenario where shams comes off as a good guy hes still pushing the giannis trade rumors well into early September, when its been confirmed giannis committed to the team in July when Horst and Doc went over there and talked to him + signed thanasis

[raferfenix]

giannis literally threw our owner under the bus

I'm stuck on this too.

What the hell happened where Edens pulled that?

Did he knowingly dare Giannis to not go along with the team-friendly story, or why was he so misinformed?

And Giannis literally going with an "I cannot recall that meeting" instead of just a soft peddled or misdirected response...not to mention indicating Shams' reports are true before leaking the Knicks story, wow.

Surprised he did Edens so dirty even in the context of the Bucks top down trying to force a "Shams is 100% full of it" narrative.

[midranger]

I’m not going to claim that Shams has unimpeachable journalistic integrity but if you asked me what is more likely…

1. He’s invented every rumor and innuendo about Giannis on his own from whole cloth.

Or

2. Everything he’s reported is basically what he’s been told from someone in Giannis’s camp (with the standard 2025 15% sensationalism to generate clicks).


… it’s obviously 2.

That said his agent could’ve told shams something like’ “Giannis better be feeling better about the direction of the team by the time Horst visits him in Greece in late July or decisions will need to be made,” and Shams runs with it a “Late summer deadline”. Who knows it there’s ulterior motives on behalf of the agent as well, ie pressure Bucks into doing something (signing Thanasis or making a big swing).

Who knows? The thought that all of it is just a Shams fever dream feels delusional.

even in your fantasy scenario where shams comes off as a good guy hes still pushing the giannis trade rumors well into early September, when its been confirmed giannis committed to the team in July when Horst and Doc went over there and talked to him + signed thanasis

I don’t think anyone is a “good guy” or a “bad guy” in this situation. Everyone has their own agendas. It’s clear that Shams reporting on “late summer deadline” or whatever was at least somewhat accurate as evidenced by the pilgrimage Horst had to take to Greece and once he got approval the subsequent signing of Thanasis.

As for “confirmed committed,” Giannis doesn’t recall that conversation.

He’s here (for now). Literally his words. While that’s the case, I’m going to enjoy every second and hope for the best. Should be a fun team this year.

[midranger]

I’m in Cyclades currently. I can see the appeal.

Can confirm that Yellow Donkey beer is supremely crushable. Bring it to the States!

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

I’m in Cyclades currently. I can see the appeal.

Can confirm that Yellow Donkey beer is supremely crushable. Bring it to the States!

youve made some grand posts and i feel were generally aligned on the team right now. but i think the combination of how you carefully formulate your posts on it all while also sharing references to australian beer....perhaps even referencing beer in general....keeps you in better graces with our peers. i want to congratulate for your superiority in this regard. kudos! im going to try and learn from you in this

edit and correction...im a dimwitted fool. cyclades is in greece!!! even better. youve got me whipped

[midranger]

Currently in a Sepolia bar watching Kostas’s team play Tyler Wahl’s team. Just inject the basketball into my veins.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Im out of the loops. Giannis is up for a 4/$275m supermax if waits until Oct 1, 2026.

What would be the contract if he traded? At this point, would an extension that long be a hinderance where he would be better off waiting 2 years to get one last max?

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

For those who love counting stats and watching Giannis climb up the ladder..... This is just a climbing year. 26-27/27-28 is probably when he starts passing a lot of legends. IMHO, Giannis has cemented himself as a Top 22 player of all-time. With another ring and counting stats, I think he will be consensus Top 17. Probably a peak of Top 13.
Points

Spoiler:

Rank Player PTS
41. Chris Paul 23011
42. Damian Lillard 22598
43. Clyde Drexler* 22195
44. Gary Payton* 21813
45. Larry Bird* 21791
46. Hal Greer* 21586
47. Walt Bellamy* 20941
48. Pau Gasol* 20894
49. Bob Pettit* 20880
50. David Robinson* 20790
51. LaMarcus Aldridge 20558

52. Giannis Antetokounmpo 20538


Rebounds

Spoiler:

57. A.C. Green 9473
58. Horace Grant 9443
59. Bailey Howell* 9383
60. Vlade Divac* 9326
61. Maurice Lucas 9306
62. George McGinnis* 9233
63. Johnny Green 9083
64. Elton Brand 9040
65. Larry Bird* 8974
66. Billy Paultz 8959
67. Al Horford 8943
68. Shawn Kemp 8834
69. LaMarcus Aldridge 8736
70. Jason Kidd* 8725
71. Jonas Valančiūnas 8723
72. Leroy Ellis 8709
73. Russell Westbrook 8677
74. Spencer Haywood* 8675
75. Michael Cage 8646
76. Terry Cummings 8630
77. Dale Davis 8605

78. Giannis Antetokounmpo 8530

Assists

Spoiler:

85. Brad Davis 4709
86. Paul Pierce* 4708
87. Fat Lever 4696
88. Louie Dampier* 4687
89. Wilt Chamberlain* 4643
90. Joe Dumars* 4612
91. Jason Williams 4611
92. Gus Williams 4597
93. Jeff Teague 4585
94. Jamal Crawford 4541
95. Hal Greer* 4540
96. Sherman Douglas 4536
97. Jameer Nelson 4508
98. Randy Smith 4487
99. Brevin Knight 4481
100. Don Buse 4425
101. Terrell Brandon 4407
102. Goran Dragić 4405
103. Calvin Murphy* 4402
104. Kyrie Irving 4364
105. Ray Allen* 4361
106. Alex English* 4351
107. Spud Webb 4342
108. Jay Humphries 4339
109. Vern Fleming 4293

110. Giannis Antetokounmpo 4288

Blocks

Spoiler:

Rank Player BLK
81. Joe Barry Carroll 1121
82. P.J. Brown 1116
83. Rik Smits 1111
84. Brendan Haywood 1109
85. Antonio McDyess 1102
86. Bismack Biyombo 1100
Bob Lanier* 1100
Buck Williams 1100
89. Andrew Lang 1099
90. Al Jefferson 1093
91. Andrew Bogut 1091
92. Ervin Johnson 1087
93. Thurl Bailey 1086
94. Mychal Thompson 1073

95. Giannis Antetokounmpo 1064

[raferfenix]

Bobby Portis: “I talked to Giannis over the summer when I was making my free agency decisions — just picking his brain, because obviously I wanted to re-sign with the Bucks and stay in Milwaukee. I wanted to keep building a legacy here. But recently, we haven’t talked much about stuff happening outside the team. In my eyes, he’s all in. Once the season starts, we’re going to be locked in, trying to win another championship — that’s the standard here. That’s the goal. No matter who’s on the team, no matter what anyone else says or thinks — that’s the standard we’ve set.”

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