Source: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo is making history with the Milwaukee Bucks. The organization has a star player on its roster. As it continues to put the necessary pieces around him, he’s reinvigorating the city’s economy, and more importantly: The team’s winning playoff games.
The seventh seed Bucks are taking advantage of Kyrie Irving being out for the season and have stolen two games from the Boston Celtics as they look to win another Tuesday night. Antetokounmpo has proven that he can handle the postseason pressure with Matthew Dellavedova and Jabari Parker by his side.
But Antetokounmpo has drawn comparisons to Golden State Warrior Kevin Durant because he was once a big star in a small market, too—but he decided to head west to get a ring. The Greek Freak signed a $100 million contract in the summer of 2016, so he’ll be in Wisconsin for a few more seasons. But Durant has some advice for him once that contract is up; he wants him to the decision that makes the most sense for him and his family.
“I would tell him to play for himself,” Durant told ESPN. “Because he’s the one out there putting in the work, he’s the one out there getting up in the morning staying committed to the game. Obviously [the comments about staying put] sounds good to the fans in Milwaukee and to the ownership, because he cares so much about wanting to please them and play well for them, and I get it. But his career is about him; it’s about whatever he wants to do and however he feels is right for him. And what type of basketball does he want to play? He’s not going to stay in Milwaukee if he’s not having fun playing the game.”
But despite tipping the ball in for a game-winner on Sunday, it was still hard for Antetokounmpo, a 6’11” Black dude in Wisconsin, to get service at a local Mexican restaurant recently. While at a spot called Bel Air Cantina, he and his girlfriend couldn’t get a seat because the restaurant was full. They eventually left and decided to grab pizza at a place down the street.
The establishment later apologized for not having room to sit the superstar and even promised to offer a free taco with purchase. The catch? The Greek Freak and his squad have to close out the series come Thursday.
