Giannis Antetokounmpo was praised for doing it "the hard way." Antetokounmpo could have left the Milwaukee Bucks and formed a star-laden "Big Three" elsewhere, but in December 2020, he signed a five-year, $228 million extension -- and six months later, he became an NBA champion, ending the Bucks' 50-year title drought.
Antetokounmpo now faces a similar crossroads with two years remaining on an extension he signed in 2023. The Bucks have suffered three successive first-round eliminations, and amid debate continues over whether the two-time MVP should ask for a trade out of Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo though may well remain with the Bucks for the time being, a stance that undoubtedly will prompt division on social media. Such division is not limited just to Antetokounmpo, though; even the NBA's all-time scoring leader has to deal with polarized public opinion.
On the latest episode of his "Mind the Game" podcast, LeBron James remarked that he is often told on social media that he has no "bag" -- a collection of skills or moves that fill highlight reels or rack up views on TikTok.
"LeBron has no bag, and I'm sitting here with 50 billion points," James said, as co-host Steve Nash and special guest Luka Doncic chuckled.
Antetokounmpo on Monday offered his opinion on the debate over James' bag -- which he seems to view as ridiculous.
"If there are people out there that believe that one of the greatest players to ever be on earth has no bag… Man I've seen it all," Antetokounmpo posted on X.
James' 42,184 regular-season points is the highest total in league history. And despite his 6'9'', 250-pound frame, James has excelled as a ball-dominant "point forward" throughout his career, demonstrating a variety and versatility that has allowed him to play 22 NBA seasons.
Antetokounmpo can relate to the idea that he does not have a "bag" and should join another team to prove that he does. Antetokounmpo has long surpassed the modest expectations that marked the start of his career; the 30-year-old just completed his third successive season averaging greater than 30 points per game, and for now, it seems like Bucks fans can rest easy about the future of "The Greek Freak."