Giannis took his time with his decision to sign the supermax contract. It may have created more chatter and some unrest, but ultimately, Giannis is a Buck for the long haul.
The fact that he decided to return for five years is a huge coup for the Milwaukee Bucks franchise. It is great for the city of Milwaukee. It is also great for the NBA.
In an era with stars teaming up, Giannis clearly wants to win a championship his way and with his team. The team that drafted him and the city he grew up in: Milwaukee. Giannis is built different it seems.
https://twitter.com/Giannis_An34/status/1338912608662003715
Stars departing for big markets or forcing their way out is a tired act for many fans. Plenty of stars took the easy route to a ring like Kevin Durant teaming up with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. You don’t have to look far for a star trying to get out of town– see James Harden.
Giannis hopes to become a legend for getting the Bucks over the hump and leading his team to a championship the old-school way. It might be with a bit of bias, but damn is it a breath of fresh air.
Small-market Bucks go all-in for Giannis
The Bucks really have done all a small-market team can do to keep a superstar and it is phenomenal to see loyalty is in fact in Giannis’ DNA.
You know many factors went into his decision. But ultimately the moves the Bucks front office made this offseason and Giannis’ confidence in the rapid growth of his game kept him in Milwaukee.
The Bucks front office’s aggressive efforts in free agency, making the deal for Jrue Holiday and signing free agents were musts. It goes to show the small market retaining talent like Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez along with the aggressiveness to add talent sat well with Giannis.
The growth of Giannis’ game shows in the stats but it is clear his game is expanding despite the struggles in the postseason. He grew comfortable shooting more from the perimeter and the only way he can truly lead the Bucks to the promised land is if he is confident and makes opponents pay for sagging off of him.
He is gaining confidence, now the results should really begin to show. He attempted 4.8 3-pointers per game nearly double his 2018-19 mark of 2.9 3s per game. Despite the increased attempts, Giannis shot over 30 percent from 3 last year, up from less than 26 percent the year prior.
Bucks can take moment to R-E-L-A-X
The entire Bucks fan base let out a huge exhale when Giannis announced he’s back. The buzz and noise like a constant percussion drum beat was constant. Now there is a reprieve, unless of course you think this is just a momentary reprieve. *Rolls eyes.
The moment Giannis signed it meant Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and others won’t be pressing and their strides were not lost on Giannis. Now, no gut-wrenching pressure once the 2021 postseason arises. The team can play relaxed or at least far more relaxed with multiple years of Giannis in Milwaukee now a certainty.
That is a great feeling to have as the 2020-21 season tips off.
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