“Maybe I am weird. I thrive through physicality. Like I love feeling beat up after games. I don’t know why, my family thinks I’m a weirdo” Giannis Antetokounmpo was candid when discussing the Celtics’ physical play in the 2022 Eastern Conference SFs. Having taken a few body blows, The Greek Freak proved his endurance levels were up there. Many of his physical plays became a key part of his identity, with his relentless drives and lateral motion. Despite this, Giannis had to learn, early on, not to take things too physically.

Former Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, along with Tommy Alter, recently hosted ‘The Old Man and the Three’ podcast. Someone asked Alter about his early memories of facing Giannis on the court. This led him to recall the 2015 Playoffs, which was the Greek Freak’s first time in the NBA postseason. Alter was there when Giannis suddenly bulldozed Mike Dunleavy.

This caused the Bucks player’s immediate suspension from the game. Why? Dunleavy had earlier put his hand on Giannis’ neck, more like a slight ‘chop’, while attempting to defend. Even Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, who was also in attendance, couldn’t help but express shock on his face. After all, “You don’t see plays like that in the NBA”.

“He just completely lost his cool,” recalled Noah. Adding on to the remark, he stated, “It was his first playoff series, and he got thrown out the game, and we ended up winning the series. I think it was a learning experience for him. I didn’t really get to spend too much time with him, but obviously, a lot of respect. Now, he’s definitely a lot stronger. He’s bigger, he’s more athletic than he was even back then. So, good luck to everybody who’s in his way”.

Giannis was given a flagrant foul 2 after pushing the then-Bulls small forward/shooting guard. He had to exit the game after scoring only 5 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes. In fact, none of the players from the Milwaukee side finished in the double digits. At that moment, Antetokounmpo created a stinging impression, something that he would only positively build on in the future.

With a 243 lbs and a 6-foot-11 build, Giannis has made good use of his physicality. After all, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel does not call him “this generation’s greatest physical player” for nothing. From his memorable block against the Phoenix Suns in 2021, to swatting Mikal Bridges with a chase-down block, the Greek Freak continued putting his frame to good use.

Still only 30 years of age, Giannis has a couple more years of delivering such plays. However, the question now arises: Will he be making those physical moves for the benefit of another team?

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo move to the Golden State Warriors?

Though it may seem quite far-fetched, the February trade deadline will approach sooner rather than later. As a result, the NBA world is already buzzing with trade rumors. On one side, a discussion of a Rui Hachimura-Jonas Valanciunas trade is going on. On the other side, Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a major topic of discussion.

A report by Fadeaway World placed The Greek Freak in a projected trade. The same would send Giannis Antetokounmpo, MarJon Beauchamp, Chris Livingston, and Tyler Smith to the Golden State Warriors.

In exchange, the Milwaukee Bucks would receive Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and De’Anthony Melton. If that isn’t enough, they would also add three future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.

This is not the first time that people have considered a team-up between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry. In February 2024, Shams Charania reported that the Warriors were targeting Giannis. In fact, ‘The Athletic’ reporters Sam Amick, Anthony Slater, and Jovan Buha had even named the Greek Freak as a “dream acquisition.”

With the jaw-dropping proposal to acquire LeBron James before the trade deadline faltering, Giannis was reportedly the next best thing in the franchise’s path. Even Paul Pierce endorsed a Stephen Curry-Giannis Antetokounmpo union by stating, “The only way I see Golden State getting back to where they need to get back is if they could find a way to get Giannis over there.”

Despite everything out there in the social forums, a potential Giannis trade to the Warriors is nothing but rumors. Even if it is so, one can’t help but contemplate the physical advantage that the Bucks Power Forward/Center would bring to Stephen Curry and Co.