Giannis Antetokounmpo, who joined the Miami Heat through a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks less than a month ago, has already admitted that he feels uncomfortable being in Miami. But not in the strictly physical sense; rather, mentally being outside of the comfort zone that he had created for himself in Milwaukee.
The Heat’s new superstar sat down for an interview on ‘AnesTea the Podcast’ with Anestis Evangelopoulos, where he opened up about giving himself a new challenge by stepping out of his comfort zone. The interview was in Greek, but the transcript was available in English.
“Yes… Well, we won the Championship five years ago. I could easily have left then. I could have said that I achieved my goal, both my personal goal and the team’s, and now it’s time to do what I want.”
“But no… I really believed that I would stay in Milwaukee for my entire career. But then I saw I was in my comfort zone. I wanted something different,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“And I am happy to be in Miami. I can’t lie, I don’t feel comfortable in Miami. I’ll go there and do my best. That’s what I’ve been doing through my entire career. Hopefully, everything will turn out well.”
“The city of Milwaukee… I love the city of Milwaukee. I’ll love this city till the day I die. I bleed purple and green. It’s very simple. They made me who I am today. They love my family.”
“When I walk down the street, they let me be. I live a normal life there. I can go to the grocery store, and nobody bothers me. People see me on the street and wave at me. They don’t mob me for photos, autographs, etc.”
“Basketball-wise, I had a great time there. That will always be in my heart. That will never leave. I don’t know, but I hope when the Miami chapter closes- and I don’t know when or if it will- and I don’t know how many years I’ll spend there, but I wish to return to Milwaukee if they’ll have me.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo has previously also declared his intentions to return to the Bucks someday, but since arriving in Miami, his initial reaction of being a bit scared has improved to just feeling like he’s uncomfortable.
That discomfort will drive him to work harder to earn the love of the basketball community in Miami and feel that same sense of love from their fans.
“I worry about not fitting in with the team, or not being welcomed by the fans, or not winning a championship,” Antetokounmpo said.
“There’s a lot to worry about as a professional athlete. I try not to fixate on all that. I just think I’ll go there, I’ll be well-prepared. I’ll keep healthy. I’ll do right by my teammates and coaches. I’ll respect Miami fans. I’ll get to leave my mark on the Miami community.”
The Heat’s superstar also spoke about whether he worried that the Bucks’ fans would feel a sense of betrayal from his decision to leave the team.
“Yes. I certainly did. You can’t make a decision based on what others would think. The opinions of others never fed you, right? — I asked people who I love, ‘What do you think?’ I also wanted to get different opinions other than my agents or friends.”
“I was scared a little bit. I thought people would say, ‘After 13 years? You were practically raised here, we loved you! This is your team, and you leave us?’ The people didn’t react that way at all. I saw it was something they wanted for me.”
Therefore, if or when Giannis Antetokounmpo decides his time in Miami is over, the only team he wants to join will be the Bucks. But let’s not jump the gun and assume that will happen.
He could retire with the Heat as well, since the whole point of the 31-year-old leaving Milwaukee was to join a team where he is willing to sign a long-term extension.
And in this time, if he manages to win a championship, I doubt Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra will let him leave so easily. For now, it remains to be seen how Giannis Antetokounmpo begins his career with the Heat. If his tenure is successful, even he may not want to leave anymore.
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