Giannis Antetokounmpo, star of the Milwaukee Bucks, has amassed a resume worthy of the Hall of Fame and is still eager to win more individual and team honors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s “F—king Desperate” Quest for a Third MVP and Second Championship
In an interview with The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Antetokounmpo talked about why he’s “f—king desperate” to win a third MVP and a second championship:
“Quite simply, I can’t get enough of it. I’m worried about losing the family I’ve built and the stability I’ve given my kids, brothers, and mom. Concerned, yes. To ensure that I keep all of this, I work like an f—-ing dog. This will continue until I am no longer in this division. Therefore, the medals are still in my possession. But in order to keep my focus on the task at hand—winning—I avoid looking at them. The answer is yes, I do. But I’m not going to go ahead and say it. I’d rather not have to beg. I’d rather have my skill level speak for itself.”
Antetokounmpo admitted that he is “not as talented as” other top stars like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant and that this fact fuels some of his desperation.
It’s difficult to think of an NBA player who has been under more pressure to win than Giannis Antetokounmpo. He was named Most Valuable Player in both the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons. In both years, the Bucks were the Eastern Conference’s top seed but fell short of the NBA Finals.
A five-game series loss to the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs ended Antetokounmpo’s second MVP season. He had averaged at most 21.8 points per game since his first playoff series against the Chicago Bulls in 2015. (11.5).
As (Antetokounmpo) mulls over his contractual future, a trip to the NBA Finals “could tip the scales,” ESPN’s Malika Andrews wrote after the Toronto Raptors eliminated the Bucks in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals.
They lost to the Heat in March of 2020, but by December of that year, Giannis Antetokounmpo had signed a five-year extension with the team.
With Antetokounmpo at the helm, the Bucks won their first NBA championship in 50 years the following season, a triumph that benefited both sides. After a long playoff run, he sealed the deal in Game 6 against the Suns with a performance that included 50 points and 14 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has the Bucks ready to make another deep playoff run after last year’s heartbreaking seven-game series loss to the Boston Celtics in the second round. They have a 50-19 record, the best in the NBA, after winning 21 of their last 23 games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is tied for first place in MVP voting with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Greek Freak is tied for second in boards and fifth in points per game (31.5). (11.9). Also, he is a strong contender for defensive player of the year.
In the history of the NBA, only six players have won at least three MVP awards and two championships.
Final Thoughts
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s drive to win his third MVP and second NBA title stems from his desire to maintain the stability and security he has built for his family. Despite acknowledging that he is less naturally gifted than some of his peers, Antetokounmpo works tirelessly to improve his skills and elevate his game. He has faced tremendous pressure to win throughout his career and finally achieved his dream of leading the Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021. Stay updated with NBA updates.
With his team currently holding the best record in the league, Antetokounmpo is in a strong position to make another deep playoff run and potentially win more individual and team honors. His relentless work ethic and determination to succeed testify to his greatness as a player and a role model for aspiring athletes.
