Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the brightest young stars in the league.
Yet the Greek sensation almost walked away from everything during the 2020-21 season.
He even had discussions with the front office about early retirement despite having just signed a five-year, $228 million extension.
Antetokounmpo broke the news in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
“Yeah, it’s good to hear that, but that’s a lot of pressure. Going through that … in order for you to be the best, you have to play like the best. You have to practice like the best. You got to carry yourself like the best. Which is not easy.
“As much as people say I’m handling it well because that’s my personality…”
“It’s hard.
“It’s … not easy.
“In 2020, I was … ready to walk away from the game.
“I had that conversation – yes – with the front office.”
It’s understandable Antetokounmpo felt that way. COVID ground everything to a halt after the Bucks blew a 2-0 lead in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals to the Toronto Raptors.
Thankfully for Bucks fans, Antetokounmpo decided against retiring. The Bucks rebounded to win the 2021 championship, the franchise’s first since 1971, being a Finals MVP effort from Antetokounmpo.
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