The Bucks are officially in the process of moving on from the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, and it seems like Giannis is returning the favor. He’s announced that he will not be donning his iconic #34 jersey in Miami but rather switching to #7. It’s not only a symbolic way to signify a new chapter for Giannis, but also ensure that his #34 jersey won’t be honored anywhere but Milwaukee.
Giannis is preserving his Bucks legacy
We can spend all day arguing about whether or not the Bucks got the best return for Giannis, but his presence will continue to dominate Bucks history for a long time to come. Antetokounmpo leaves Milwaukee with most of the franchise’s notable records and will surely have his jersey number retired as soon as possible.
Keeping that jersey number sacred to his Bucks tenure is a smart way for Giannis to ensure that he stays in Wisconsin’s graces. Of course he was never really in danger of being hated after all he did to help the Bucks overcome decades of mediocrity. But the gesture is still a nice way to emphasize Giannis’ strong loyalty and reverence for Milwaukee.
It also leaves hope in many Bucks fans that Giannis may one day return to Milwaukee in the twilight of his career. If things don’t work out in Miami, or even if they do, perhaps Giannis can come back to his first team before he retires.Â
The Heat will see a new era of Giannis
As the Bucks head into a rebuilding era, the Heat must now immediately surround Giannis with a competitive roster for a title-contending era. They’ll get Giannis at arguably his offensive peak, but with lingering injury issues and a decreased defensive motor after years of elite two-way play.
The #7 version of Giannis may play a different style than the #34 version, both due to his own adjustments and the team’s needs. Although the Heat did end up getting their guy after years of trying, they had to gut most of their roster to do so. Many of Miami’s best depth pieces from last season are now on the Bucks roster, and the Heat have limited resources to replace them.
Over the last decade, Giannis has typically played with perimeter players as his co-stars: Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard. But he’ll now pursue a title in South Beach alongside Bam Adebayo, a star center whose best attributes are on defense. It’s far from a guarantee that he’ll find the same success he once had in Milwaukee, and could even leave him yearning for the Bucks if things go poorly with the Heat.
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