“Build a Culture”: Giannis Antetokounmpo Keen on Rebuilding Milwaukee Bucks, Shutting Down Trade Rumors

NBA announced its 2019-20 All-Defense First Team, and obviously, Giannis Antetokounmpo remained the leader. In the current NBA Playoffs 2020 season, Giannis (13.8 rpg) remained second to Jarrett Allen (14.8 rpg) in rebounds standing. Milwaukee Bucks as a unit stood second to Oklahoma City Thunder on the same parameter.

This information suggested how crucial is the Greek Freak for the Bucks. However, the questions are erupting about his trade, now that the #1 Eastern Conference seed has failed to make it to the conference finals. So what is on the Milwaukee star’s mind?

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo is here to stay?

The 6’11” phenom could not play the fifth do-or-die game for the Bucks against the Miami Heat. As a result, the Bucks could not hold the Heat for long and succumbed to the pressure of making a comeback from 0-3 down. It must be a very tough time for the franchise, which yet again failed to capitalize on their regular-season heroics.

But Giannis’ latest comment on his time in the Orlando Bubble can really bring a sigh of relief for the Bucks organization. Out of the entire message, the most noteworthy words were, “Hopefully, we can learn from this & get better as a team. Come back & hopefully build a culture in Milwaukee for many years that we can come out here and compete every single year for a championship.”

So this gives a strong hint that he is still very much on board with the Bucks. The Defensive Player of the Year and the reigning MVP anyway never gave a signal about his intention to leave the franchise. But the tabloid always remain filled with his trade rumors.

Are Milwaukee Bucks too weak without him?

Khris Middleton had said before Game 5 that they were prepared to take on the Heat with or without Giannis. But the thing is, maybe Khris was prepared, but not the entire unit. Middleton scored 23 points, 7 rebs, and 6 assists. He got some help from center Brook Lopez, who scored a double-double, but nothing that could help them win. The Bucks failed to keep the tempo from the first quarter in the remaining match.

It has never happened in the NBA that a team could bounce back from a 0-3 deficit in the conference semis. The Bucks too failed to break this. The Miami Heat performed like a unit with six players scoring in double digits, and hence the Bucks had no chance. However, with Giannis on-board, they might have done something. Or, they might as well do something for Giannis might be there with them in the thick and thin. Have a look at Giannis’ performance from round 1 here-