Giannis Antetokounmpo’s illustrious résumé after eight NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks is incredible considering he is still just 26-years-old.
With two MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year, an NBA Finals MVP and so much more in tow, there are few players in the history of this league to reach the heights that he has. Yet, despite achieving practically every award imaginable and ending the Bucks’ 50-year title drought just a few months ago, the Greek Freak has remained motivated to continue chasing greatness. When discussing Antetokounmpo, everything is about challenges and overcoming them. After being named GQ’s Athlete of the Year, Antetokounmpo sat down and detailed his mindset when it comes to these challenges and how he approaches the obstacles he must overcome.
"“One challenge was to bring a championship here and we did,” he told me. “It was very hard, but we did. Very, very hard. I just love challenges. What’s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here.”"
Antetokounmpo’s comments caused quite a stir on social media as many took those words as a hint that he might be thinking about leaving Milwaukee. However, Antetokounmpo has embodied loyalty since he came into the NBA, particularly after signing that historic supermax extension just last year. Rather than that, one should be thinking about what the next big challenge could be for a player that has already done everything there is to do except take home Sixth Man of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.
Winning more championships is the next challenge for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks went 50 years without a championship prior to last summer, and they certainly do not want to wait that long again. Everyone within the organization is focused on adding more banners in Fiserv Forum sooner rather than later.
How many teams in NBA history have won back-to-back titles? Not too many. The Bucks have an opportunity to join that shortlist of teams with another championship run this season. Winning it again would put the Bucks alongside some of the greatest modern teams such as the 2012-13 Miami Heat and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. Going back even further, they would be in the same category as the 1989-90 Detroit Pistons, the 1994-95 Houston Rockets, and several other historic franchises. Adding their name to that list would be quite the challenge for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, but they will certainly embrace it.
If Giannis and the Bucks want to set the bar extremely high, aiming to be the first team to win three consecutive titles in nearly 20 years would be a worthwhile challenge. The last team that achieved this was the Los Angeles Lakers, who dominated the NBA between 2001-2003 led by the duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Shortly before that, it was the Chicago Bulls, who ruled the 1990s by three-peating now just once, but twice that decade led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Three straight championships is a tall task, but if the Bucks are looking to set the bar high, it could be a feasible goal.
While winning two or three consecutive championships is far easier said than done, the Bucks are in a great position to compete in this league for years to come. Not only is Antetokounmpo locked in for the long-term, but the Bucks also have Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday secured, along with a championship-winning coach in Mike Budenholzer and former Executive of the Year in Jon Horst. This team will be at the forefront of title contention year in and year out, and they will continue to chase championships.
Giannis Antetokounmpo overcame the challenge of winning one championship, but the question now is whether or not he and the Bucks can win more.