Ngl itโs exhausting hearing athletes break down how their millions โarenโt really millionsโ after taxes and fees. 40M after taxes is still 40M.
The real issue isnโt the system, itโs lifestyle creep. Nobody told you to live like a king, buy 5 cars, or move with a 10โperson entourage. Modest is allowed.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's all-time rankings with the Bucks:
1st in points
1st in rebounds
1st in assists
1st in blocks
2nd in steals
1st in field goals
1st in free throws
1st in 40+ point games
2nd in 50+ point games
1st in 60+ point games
1st in playoff points
1st in playoff rebounds
1st in playoff assists
1st in playoff field goals
1st in games
1st in seasons
There will never be another player like No. 34 in Milwaukee Bucks franchise history.
Milwaukee Bucks ownership has confirmed that Giannis Antetokounmpo's No. 34 jersey will be retired by the organization.
If it wasn't already clear, Giannis' legacy will be eternally felt in the rafters of Fiserv Forum, the home of the Bucks.
For 13 incredible seasons. For your relentless drive, humility and heart. For transforming our franchise and our city. For delivering a championship. For inspiring a generation of Bucks fans and creating memories that will last forever.
Thank you, Giannis. ๐
You came to Milwaukee 13 years ago as a kid from Sepolia with an impossible dream. Over the past 13 years we have witnessed you grow into one of the greatest players the game has ever seen, the greatest Buck of all time, and the driving force behind an era of Bucks basketball that will be remembered forever.
From the moment you arrived, you embraced Milwaukee as your home. You embraced the team, the community, and everyone who believed in you. Your connection with Bucks fans transcended basketball. You didnโt just play basketball in Milwaukee, you became the heart and soul of this city. You touched lives throughout our community and inspired people across the world. You believed in this city and its fans when the rest of the world doubted.
After 50 years, you delivered a championship to Milwaukee. A dream come true for generations of Bucks fans who never stopped believing. You gave Milwaukee hope. You taught us that loyalty still matters. That hard work can overcome impossible odds, and that a small-market city could still be on top all because you refused to stop believing. For one night, Milwaukee wasnโt just watching history, we were living it together.
Your legacy in Milwaukee is secured and will always be felt here. In the rafters, throughout the community, in the countless people you inspired, and the way you made an entire city believe that anything was possible.
Thank you for believing in Milwaukee and giving everything you had to this city day in and day out. You transformed the Bucks in every way, and left your mark on this organization for generations to come. Youโll always be family. Youโll always be Milwaukeeโs champion. Forever a part of this city. Forever a Buck. Thank you for everything, Giannis.
Statements from the Milwaukee Bucks on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat:
Bucks owners Wes Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jamie Dinan:
โFrom delivering a championship to transforming our franchise, Giannis' impact on the Milwaukee Bucks is lasting and profound. We are incredibly grateful for what has been a remarkable and historic journey together.
ย
For 13 seasons, Giannis gave everything to this organization and inspired our city with his relentless drive, humility and heart. He grew into one of the greatest players in the world while becoming an integral part of the Milwaukee community. More importantly, Giannis represented this organization with authenticity, character and a deep commitment to the people of Milwaukee.
ย
His unforgettable moments on the court and his influence beyond the game defined an era of Bucks basketball and elevated our franchise on a global stage. Few players have left such a meaningful mark on a team, a city and an entire generation of fans.
ย
Though this chapter has come to an end, Giannis' legacy in Milwaukee is secure. It will always be felt here -- in the rafters, throughout our community and in the countless people he inspired. Forever a Buck.โ
Bucks general manager Jon Horst:
โSince we drafted him in 2013, Giannis has transformed the Milwaukee Bucks in every way -- on the court, in our locker room and throughout the community. Over 13 seasons, he became an extraordinary leader, teammate and representative of this city, and one of the defining players of his generation. The standard he set will continue here.
ย
This was an incredibly difficult decision, made for what is best for the future of the Bucks and for Giannis. On a personal level, Giannis and I have shared this entire journey together, and he has been an exceptional partner, friend and inspiration. All of us at the Bucks have been impacted by his presence and influence and are deeply grateful for everything he and his family have given. We wish them continued success and are excited to see them soon.
ย
This transition also means saying goodbye to another player who played an important role in one of the most successful eras in Bucks history. From the moment Bobby arrived, he embraced what it means to be a Buck and quickly became a fan favorite through his passion, competitiveness and unwavering commitment to winning. Bobby played a vital role in helping our franchise capture the 2021 NBA Championship, and his performance throughout that historic playoff run will forever be part of Bucks history.
ย
Beyond his impact on the court, Bobby forged genuine connections throughout Milwaukee, invested his time and resources in the community and made the city his home. The relationship he built with our fans was special, and the chants of 'Bob-by! Bob-by!' that echoed throughout Fiserv Forum became a defining part of his legacy.
ย
We thank Bobby for everything he has meant to this organization and wish him continued success and happiness.โ
Ben Simmons is planning an NBA comeback with the 76ers and Heat as potential targets
โI plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my ass on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be neededโฆ Maybe Iโll go back to Philly. Miami would be nice. And not because itโs MiamiโI like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture.โ
(Via @MensHealthMag, h/t @TheNBABase)