It may not be in the next few years, but this is going to happen. Giannis Antetokounmpo has recently done an interview with a local Chicago T.V. network and expressed his interest (well, more like life-long goal) in joining the Chicago Bulls and leave Milwaukee.
The story of the 2020-21 Giannis-led Milwaukee Bucks overcoming every super team in the East (such as the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat), the challenges of COVID-19, and the Western Conference Champion, Phoenix Suns, to win their second NBA title in franchise history was extraordinary.
As far as I’m concerned, that title win was the first “non-super team” to win in at least a decade as the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), San Antonio Spurs (2014) Golden State Warriors (2015, 2017, 2018), Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), Toronto Raptors (2019), and Los Angeles Lakers (2020) could all be considered “super teams” as each franchise had two or more franchise superstars on the roster.
That Bucks roster only had Giannis.
Nevertheless, it truly was a great sight to see a collective group of individuals (and one franchise superstar), rather than just two or three superstars, come together and defy the odds to win the NBA championship. But, don’t get too carried away, Milwaukee fans, with the thought that Giannis wants to carry this team for the rest of his career. Because he doesn’t.
His loyalty to the franchise that drafted him is definitely admirable, but loyalty only goes so far when money and prestige comes calling. Or, should I say, when the Chicago Bulls come calling.
Giannis directly mentioned the history of the Chicago Bulls (i.e.: their six titles and being the team that Michael Jordan played for) as the primary factor as to why he would “love” to play for the Bulls later on in his career in that interview. Actually, Giannis said that “it’s a no-brainer; everybody would love to play for Chicago,” when asked about the Bulls, which just shows how desperate he is to play for a legacy team in the NBA.
I’m not trying to disrespect the Milwaukee Bucks, but if one had to list the greatest franchises in NBA history, they wouldn’t even make the Top-10. Actually, I’m not even sure they would make the Top-15 as they have had some really bad stretches of losing in (look at their run of missing the playoff/out in the 1st Round during the 1990’s, 2000’s, and early 2010’s) between their 1971-72 title and the 2020-21 title.
On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls are definitely a Top-5 franchise in the NBA. Six NBA championships, having numerous Hall of Fame Players (Scottie Pippin, Denis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, Robert Parish, Artis Gilmore, etc.), and having the greatest player of all-time, Michael Jordan, play for the franchise makes them a more than desirable location for NBA players to play.
I know this is going to sound harsh, Milwaukee fans, but you should not be complaining about this Giannis quote. Keeping him for this long in Milwaukee, of all places, is a testament to the fan base and how supportive it is. Unfortunately, the franchise is just not on the level of the Bulls, and it will continue to be that way for a long time.
Enjoy Giannis while you can as it is only a matter of time before he decides to pack his backs and move south to the Windy City.
Images Source: Featured Image: (Wikimedia Creative Commons/Author: Erik Drost) (Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
