Getty Image / Nic Antaya
As the NBA gears up for the playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks are once again seen as one of the favorites to win the NBA title.
The Bucks hold the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference and feature one of the league’s best players.
It turns out that they could be looking at a very different reality these days.
Yesterday, star Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he was considering retirement back in 2020.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reveals he almost retired in 2020
“In 2020, I was ready to walk away from the game. I had that conversation – yes – with the front office.”
(Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) pic.twitter.com/QojqmAei2t
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 12, 2023
Hearing that one of the NBA’s best players was considering retirement as they were entering their prime is surprising enough, but the timing of it makes it particularly shocking.
At the time, Giannis had just signed the biggest contract in NBA history and had won a 2nd consecutive MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Despite all of that, it was definitely a tough time for a lot of NBA players. They had just finished the weirdness that was the Disney Bubble and many players were likely feeling the effects of what was a weird time for everybody.
Luckily for the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis decided to stick around in the NBA as his biggest career achievement came in the following season. The year after he says he was considering retirement, Giannis led the Bucks to an NBA title.
The Greek Freak has continued to dominate NBA competition this season as he has racked up unbelievable averages of 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game while leading the Bucks to the NBA’s top records.
At just 28 years old, NBA fans hopefully won’t have to worry about Giannis Antetokounmpo contemplating retirement again any time soon.