One of basketball’s biggest stars Giannis Antetokounmpo almost left the game in 2020.
The two-time MVP has taken the NBA by storm over the last several years and reached the pinnacle of the sport by clinching the championship with his Milwaukee Bucks side in 2021. But had he chosen to retire a year earlier, fans would have been robbed of the chance to see his brilliance at both ends of the floor, especially his scintillating 50-point masterclass in game six of the finals against the Phoenix Suns.
In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, with the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe and the NBA season significantly affected as a result, the Greek star was seriously considering hanging up his very large sneakers three years ago. "It's hard, it’s not easy,” he began. "In 2020, I was ready to walk away from the game. I had that conversation – yes – with the front office."
Given the state of the world of the time, the 28-year-old was keen to spend more time with his family and he wasn’t enjoying the game in a way he once did. He had also signed a five-year, $228million extension, which at that time was the richest contract in NBA history and was struggling with the expectations of being one of the best players in the world.
"If something doesn't make me happy, I don't do it. I don't want to do it,” he added. “I'm just going to stay home, stay with my kids, stay with my family and try to be happy. I don't care. And this was right when I signed the largest contract in NBA history. And, you know, very normally, everybody is looking at me like I was crazy.
“‘You just signed the largest contract in NBA history and you want to walk away from the game and all that money…?’ Mannnnn, you can take that money and shove it into your...sorry for my language.” Being one of the best athletes in the world as one of the most recognisable faces around the globe took a toll on Giannis as his mental health deteriorated.
While the 2021 Finals MVP didn’t believe he needed any external support for some time, he eventually decided to visit a therapist while also seeking inspiration from fellow sports stars. “I gave it a chance. I started talking with someone,” he said. “Somebody helped put me in a place, again, to appreciate all of the things that I have, that comes with being who I am. To be OK with myself.
“Then I started watching a lot of documentaries of Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka. I watched 'Break Point.' And then I see, a lot of people are dealing with this. I kept talking with this (counselor). He helped me a lot – not just being a better basketball player, being able to deal with it; but being a better partner, better father, better brother, better son. Better person."
Now in the form of his life and in a comfortable headspace, Antetokounmpo is in the running for a third regular season MVP award and his Bucks side are one of the favourites to win the championship. They begin their playoff campaign against the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls or Toronto Raptors who will fight for the eighth seed in the Play-in tournament.
This past weekend after a special jersey celebration for the ‘Greek Freak’ at the Fiserv Forum, Giannis shared his thoughts on the MVP race and his desire to win the award for the third time. “I’m very proud that I’m able to play at an MVP level because that means I’m making my team very successful. That’s the goal,” he said.
“Do I wish to get one more? One hundred percent. The goal is to play at an MVP level. Now, I could play at an MVP level and never be blessed with another MVP...I really believe from the bottom of my heart that eventually I’ll get another one. Until then, I’m trying to get that second ring.”
