Many were surprised by Shams Charania’s report suggesting you were getting some big interest from the Knicks. Just how close were you to leaving Milwaukee for New York? Thanasis Antetokounmpo: Close. Obviously, Giannis is my brother, and obviously, I love Milwaukee. I love Milwaukee. But at the same time… I want to play. You always want to play and feel important. And at the same time, you want, like… It’s just because of how I am as a player. That would be different if I were in Europe and any other team. But now it became a little bit more like, oh, okay, he’s on the team because… But I was like: you know what? No. Why would I do this?
Source: Donatas Urbonas @ BasketNews
Source: Donatas Urbonas @ BasketNews
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Jaren Jackson Jr. made sure to let Thanasis Antetokounmpo know – he’s not welcome under 🇺🇸 Team USA basket 😳🫣
#FIBAWC #WinForAll
pic.twitter.com/ZiPDo0bqF4 – 9:03 AM
Jaren Jackson Jr. made sure to let Thanasis Antetokounmpo know – he’s not welcome under 🇺🇸 Team USA basket 😳🫣
#FIBAWC #WinForAll
pic.twitter.com/ZiPDo0bqF4 – 9:03 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
DENIED 🚫
Jaren Jackson Jr. with back-to-back rejections on Thanasis Antetokounmpo 😤
(via @usabasketball)
pic.twitter.com/ONaivEWlry – 9:02 AM
DENIED 🚫
Jaren Jackson Jr. with back-to-back rejections on Thanasis Antetokounmpo 😤
(via @usabasketball)
pic.twitter.com/ONaivEWlry – 9:02 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
DENIED 🚫
Jaren Jackson Jr. with back-to-back blocks on Thanasis Antetokounmpo 😤
(via @usabasketball)
pic.twitter.com/ONaivEWlry – 9:00 AM
DENIED 🚫
Jaren Jackson Jr. with back-to-back blocks on Thanasis Antetokounmpo 😤
(via @usabasketball)
pic.twitter.com/ONaivEWlry – 9:00 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Thanasis just got Jaren Jackson Jr.’ed on a dunk try. My goodness. – 8:51 AM
Thanasis just got Jaren Jackson Jr.’ed on a dunk try. My goodness. – 8:51 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Thanasis Antetokounmpo responded to his critics who say that he’s in the NBA only because of his brother Giannis 🤫
He also talked about how close he was to joining Knicks, what convinced him to stay in Milwaukee & upcoming #FIBAWC matchup vs. Team USA:
basketnews.com/news-193784-th… – 2:00 AM
Thanasis Antetokounmpo responded to his critics who say that he’s in the NBA only because of his brother Giannis 🤫
He also talked about how close he was to joining Knicks, what convinced him to stay in Milwaukee & upcoming #FIBAWC matchup vs. Team USA:
basketnews.com/news-193784-th… – 2:00 AM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Thanasis Antetokounmpo addressed the controversial report and those who question his ability to play in the NBA in an extensive interview with @BasketNews_com
basketnews.com/news-193784-th… – 1:37 AM
Thanasis Antetokounmpo addressed the controversial report and those who question his ability to play in the NBA in an extensive interview with @BasketNews_com
basketnews.com/news-193784-th… – 1:37 AM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Thanasis Antetokounmpo said he was close to signing with the Knicks, but Adrian Griffin played an important role in his choice to remain in Milwaukee:
“He said he appreciates the way I play, and values it. Hearing the coach & everything… I thought this was the place for me.” – 1:26 AM
Thanasis Antetokounmpo said he was close to signing with the Knicks, but Adrian Griffin played an important role in his choice to remain in Milwaukee:
“He said he appreciates the way I play, and values it. Hearing the coach & everything… I thought this was the place for me.” – 1:26 AM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Greek National team started the 2023 #FIBAWC victorious and a big reason behind was Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
His energy level was really high, setting the tone on the floor. That’s all his team needs from him.
Story on @SportalgrG. #HellasBasketball
sportal.gr/basket/article… – 3:34 AM
Greek National team started the 2023 #FIBAWC victorious and a big reason behind was Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
His energy level was really high, setting the tone on the floor. That’s all his team needs from him.
Story on @SportalgrG. #HellasBasketball
sportal.gr/basket/article… – 3:34 AM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Thanasis’ energy. That’s all you need in every single basketball game! #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC – 5:28 AM
Thanasis’ energy. That’s all you need in every single basketball game! #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC – 5:28 AM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
After a sluggish start, Greece took over. Thanasis Antetokounmpo brought energy, Rogkavopoulos made a 3 and defense control the pace. #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC – 5:02 AM
After a sluggish start, Greece took over. Thanasis Antetokounmpo brought energy, Rogkavopoulos made a 3 and defense control the pace. #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC – 5:02 AM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Thanasis Antetokounmpo received the biggest applause at the Mall of Asia Arena during the Greek National team presentation. Philippine fans love Thanasty! #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC #FeartheDeer – 4:34 AM
Thanasis Antetokounmpo received the biggest applause at the Mall of Asia Arena during the Greek National team presentation. Philippine fans love Thanasty! #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC #FeartheDeer – 4:34 AM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Thanasis Antetokounmpo warming up with some corner 3s ahead of the game vs. Jordan. #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC #FeartheDeer pic.twitter.com/9Z6Thf9FW4 – 3:44 AM
Thanasis Antetokounmpo warming up with some corner 3s ahead of the game vs. Jordan. #HellasBasketball #FIBAWC #FeartheDeer pic.twitter.com/9Z6Thf9FW4 – 3:44 AM
More on this storyline
Christos Tsaltas: Ahead of today’s game vs. Greece, Bobby Portis shared a special message to his Bucks teammate, Thanasis Antetokounmpo at @SportalgrG. “It’s gonna be fun playing against you man. Can’t wait to go head-to-head. It’s gonna be something we can talk forever”. #FIBAWC #FeartheDeer -via Twitter @Tsaltas46 / August 28, 2023
Was there a specific conversation that had a major influence on your decision?
Thanasis Antetokounmpo: I was in Greece all the time. So, while I was in Greece, I didn’t talk about free agency… So, only Giannis had the power to influence your choice… Thanasis Antetokounmpo: No, but not only Giannis… We have a great culture in Milwaukee. We have great stuff. And just with the change and everything... Two years ago, when I hit the free agency and signed a two-year deal, many teams wanted to give me an opportunity. And back then, I thought I was part of a winning culture and a winning team. But at the same time, I wanted an opportunity to help the team in any way that I could. But most importantly, for the player, it is very important not to let anybody else create a narrative for you. And if someone starts creating a narrative… No, no, no. This is not who I am. This is not what we do. -via BasketNews / August 28, 2023
Thanasis Antetokounmpo: Ultimately, I sat down with the new coach [Adrian Griffin]. During the free agency, I was off in Greece. But I sat down with the new coach and talked with him. He said he appreciates the way I play, he values my game. You know, every coach has a different opinion of everybody. But when I picked the teams, hearing the coach and everything… I thought this was the place for me. And obviously, the Milwaukee fanbase has been… You don’t know how much I love the Bucks, their fanbase, and how the city has embraced my family for so many years. So it was kind of a no-brainer. But at the same time, I’m an athlete, and you want to feel important. You want to feel a part of the team. And sometimes there are other places where they want to provide you with an opportunity, just show us what you got. -via BasketNews / August 28, 2023
