Giannis Antetokounmpo has been preposterously good at the outset of the 2017-2018 NBA season. The 22-year-old forward is averaging 31.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game and, as you may imagine, that type of production is generating legitimate MVP buzz in the event that the Milwaukee Bucks can match his individual performance with team success.
While Antetokounmpo is not eligible to hit the free agent market until July 2021, there is always speculation about big-time NBA players fleeing small markets (see Davis, Anthony) whenever possible and whispers are likely to follow Antetokounmpo as a result.
However, the multi-talented youngster recently sat down with Marc Stein of the New York Times and, in short, the takeaways are quite positive for fans from Wisconsin.
“I’m a low-profile guy,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t like all these flashy cities like L.A. or Miami. I don’t know if I could be the same player if I played in those cities.”
Not only did Antetokounmpo dispel any notion that he might want to jump to a “flashy” destination like Miami or Los Angeles, Stein also notes that “Antetokounmpo’s future as the least of the Bucks’ concerns in their bid to become a credible contender for the first time in nearly two decades.” That kind of internal confidence speaks volumes about the All-Star’s commitment to the city and there is little doubt about his ability to greatly aid in Milwaukee’s overall profile in the NBA increasing in the coming years.
It has to be noted that 22-year-olds often change before they turn 25 or even 30 and nothing is guaranteed beyond the simple logistics of a highly lucrative contract. Still, Giannis Antetokounmpo is doing a very nice job of providing comfort and safety to a fan base that would probably be losing its collective mind in a normal situation with a less low-key superstar.
