The Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both envisioning a long-term relationship, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN. Antetokounmpo will be 26 when his current contract expires after the 2020/21 season, and he hopes to sign another long-term deal in Milwaukee.
“Definitely. That’s one of my goals,” Antetokounmpo said about spending his career with one franchise. “Kobe [Bryant] did it. Tim Duncan did it. Dirk Nowitzki did it. I just want to be one of those guys … that stays for the city, play for the city for 20 years.”
That view is shared by the Bucks, who want to hold onto their MVP candidate for as long they can. Antetokounmpo is coming off his best NBA season, averaging 26.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game and leading the team to its third playoff appearance in the past four seasons. Bucks president Peter Feigin calls him a “unicorn” and says the franchise is doing all it can to maximize Antetokounmpo’s appeal.
“I think all of us feel like extremely lucky and have a big responsibility to do fantastic things for him, for the team, for the league,” Feigin said. “So we spend a lot of time and just being as innovative as we can and [discussing] how do we really take his likability and just blow it out of the sky.”
There’s more today from Milwaukee:
- John Henson is sitting out his second straight playoff game with back issues, the Bucks announced this morning (Twitter link). Milwaukee’s starting center averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in the first two games of the series with Boston.
- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has become a limited partner in the Bucks’ ownership group, relays Rob Demovsky of ESPN. A longtime NBA fan, Rodgers was introduced to the crowd in his new role during Friday’s Game 3. “I am excited and honored to deepen my connection to the region by joining Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan, Mike Fascitelli and the ownership group of the Milwaukee Bucks,” Rodgers said. “As a huge fan of the NBA and the sport of basketball, this is a dream come true for me, and I look forward to furthering my affinity for Wisconsin sports as a minority owner in a team I love and support.”
- Sixers forward Ersan Ilyasova gave serious consideration to the Bucks after his buyout from Atlanta, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Ilyasova broke into the NBA with Milwaukee and his family still lives there, but he was more excited about the opportunity in Philadelphia.
I would rather be watching Ilyasova for Milwaukee than Thon Maker. All Maker does is take swipes at people and IDK why the refs let him do it. He can only take wide-open shots and giannis in the postgame gives him credit for the win!
Maker is playing really well right now.
I’m 100x%sure that you didn’t watch the game
I did, though not early on. Maker had a lot of blocks; others did too. Posts are missing so I’ll move on.
I was Impressed by Parker’s controlled twitchiness, his suddenness. He has survived his previous injuries IMO. He says he was never offered 3/54 to turn down. If someone gets him at 3/39 they made out.
Maker plays like Serge Ibaka. Tough, physical defender who can hit jumpers. Illyasova doesn’t play defense and is just on a solid shooting streak that he won’t keep up. I like him but you are crazy.
Open jumpers, somtimes. But his comparison is to Tyrus Thomas, LSU, Charlotte, eye-poker. But if Giannis likes him, he’s set.
Must b a Celtics fan
Can you give me a detailed comparison between Thon Maker and Tyrus Thomas? Please I really need to know what is going on in your head
Well I was wrong about posts disappearing so I’m not going to say I’m not wrong about Maker. But he has yet to learn the sport… like big jumper Ty Thomas, who eventually tried a comeback as a dirty player.
3 rebs in 17′ pg., & typically does not shoot well. He did well in a short playoff run last year too, but it didn’t last.
You don’t watch Ilyasova play. 2nd Most charges deawn in the league. Hes a hustle type of player and an annoying defender. He isn’t a shot blocker like Ibaka, hes not 7ft 1in like Maker. And his shooting has remained consistent for the last 4 years.