Milwaukee Bucks fans will probably be shocked to learn that Giannis Antetokounmpo was looking to retire three years ago.
The Greek superstar revealed as much in an interview, insisting he was ready to walk away from basketball in 2020. But he must be relieved he didn’t do so as he would win his first NBA title the following year.
Speaking to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the forward revealed he was struggling with the pressure and expectations that came along with being considered one of the best players in the world. Giannis had just signed a five-year extension worth $228 million, which was the most lucrative deal in NBA history at the time, but he claims he was ready to walk away from all of that.
“Yeah, it’s good to hear that, but that’s a lot of pressure. Going through that … in order for you to be the best, you have to play like the best,” he explained. “You have to practice like the best. You got to carry yourself like the best. Which is not easy.
“As much as people say I’m handling it well, because that’s my personality. It’s hard. It’s not easy.
“In 2020, I was … ready to walk away from the game.
“I had that conversation – yes – with the front office.
“And this was right when I signed the largest contract in NBA history. In 2020, I was ready to walk away from the game. I had that conversation – yes – with the front office.
“And, you know, very normally, everybody is looking at me like I was crazy. ‘You just signed the largest contract in NBA history and you want to walk away from the game and all that money…?’
“Mannnnn, you can take that money and shove it into your…”
As noted above, Giannis would get over the hump and win his first championship in 2021. But the struggles that led to him considering retirement are understandable.
The Bucks blew a 2-0 lead against the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals and came back strong the following season, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to shut down.
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With play returning in the bubble, they failed to settle and then lost to the Miami Heat in the second round. They were then forced to get back into the swing of things after a very short offseason, which was mentally challenging for just about everyone in the NBA.
Fortunately, he did not go through with what would have been the most shocking retirement ever and is now looking to win a second championship after leading the Bucks to the best record in the NBA this season.
