‘Starting From the Bottom’: Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas Praises Giannis Antetokounmpo for His Loyal Run With Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the club of elites after winning the 2021 championship. The city of Milwaukee which nurtured Giannis over the years has witnessed his transformation and played a prominent part in it.

Back in 2013, a young boy from Greece was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 15th overall pick. In 2016, he grew as a player and earned the Most Improved Player of the Year Award. And now, Antetokounmpo has become a star holding several awards along with the 2021 NBA ring.

Jul 14, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns during game four of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Few players in the league have remained loyal to one franchise throughout their careers. From Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston, Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas, to Michael Jordan in Chicago, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the newest addition to the list.

The Milwaukee Bucks franchise and the Greek Freak have maintained a symbiotic relationship over the years. At the moment, both stand tall in the league’s history books.

“His statement was accurate, factual and dead on.”@IsiahThomas tells @TermineRadio & @Jumpshot8 that he agrees with @Giannis_An34 that winning in Milwaukee is more special than joining a super team.#FeartheDeer pic.twitter.com/wBa2QtNDu6

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 21, 2021

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The city of Milwaukee supported Giannis Antetokounmpo all along the ride

Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas played for Detroit Pistons for his entire career. He went on to win two championships during his ‘Bad Boy’ days with the Pistons. Speaking of Antetokounmpo’s association with Milwaukee City, Isiah points out how it’s strikingly different from fetching for super teams.

After winning the title, the Bucks star had expressed the satisfaction of working with one franchise for years together. Isiah Thomas commented on the same – “His statement was accurate, factual, and dead-on. And the reason why it was dead-on is what he’s experiencing with that fan base and that community and the memories that he’s made with their community by staying there. You don’t get that by moving around and joining super teams.”

Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates with the NBA Finals MVP Trophy following the game against the Phoenix Suns following game six of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

“You go through all the adversity, you go through all the ups and downs, the heartbreak with that community for years and then you rise up and win together,” former Pistons star further added. “Starting from the bottom, taking your organization and team to the top, the connection that you have with the community and the fans is unlike any other.”

The legend himself has been a part of such a connection with Chicago in the past. Such players become attached to their city and fans, with the ongoing trades continuously on the run. Giannis Antetokounmpo will always be remembered as a Bucks player when his legacy will turn into history.

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