Usually, signing a 33-year-old with a 2.4 profession scoring common is not very newsworthy. But it surely’s totally different when that participant’s brother is a two-time NBA MVP.
After Thanasis Antetokounmpo missed your complete 2024-25 NBA season with an Achilles tear, the Milwaukee Bucks are bringing again the older brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo on a one-year minimal deal. The elder Antetokounmpo has been a member of the Bucks for the reason that 2019-20 season, the place he is performed sporadically, averaging 7.7 minutes and scoring 2.4 factors.
His actual position on the workforce is to assist his youthful brother, who has gained an MVP trophy, a Defensive Participant of the Yr Award and an NBA title along with his brother on his workforce. The “Greek Freak” has been near his brother since they had been Nigerian immigrants dwelling in poverty in Athens, Greece, usually forced to sell goods like watches and purses on the streets simply to afford meals.
Maybe that is why former teammate Jeff Teague, a member of the Bucks’ championship workforce in 2021, stated on a podcast in 2024 that Giannis’ brother was essential to his success.
In an look on “The Draymond Green Show” in 2024, Teague defined that when the elder Antetokounmpo needed to depart the Bucks through the 2021 NBA Finals, his brother Giannis struggled.
“Giannis’ brother, once we went down 0-2, he had COVID. So, he could not come to the aircraft,” Teague stated. “That is why we went down 0-2, Giannis was tousled. Like him and his brother, bro, they obtained some totally different form of connection. He cannot perform or play if he would not see his brother.”
Teague went on to clarify that Thanasis returned to the workforce after two video games, maybe whereas nonetheless stricken with COVID-19, whereas the Bucks gained 4 straight video games to take the title.
It wasn’t as if the Greek Freak was dangerous. He scored 42 factors within the Bucks’ Recreation 2 loss and shot 15-for-22, however Giannis did common 37.3 factors and 12.5 rebounds within the Bucks’ wins, together with a 50-point, five-block effort within the clinching Recreation 6.
But when Giannis Antetokounmpo thinks he is higher along with his brother on his workforce, or just feels extra comfy, then it is price it for the Bucks to commit a minimal wage and a roster spot to Thanasis. Particularly for the reason that workforce spent the summer season uncertain about their famous person’s future. After Damian Lillard’s Achilles tear and three consecutive first-round playoff exits, Milwaukee was uncertain if Giannis Antetokounmpo would ask for a commerce.
Signing his brother ensures that they’re going to have stability, going right into a season the place the Jap Convention is huge open and the workforce has swapped middle Brook Lopez for Myles Turner. It is also the second-to-last season of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contract, because the two-time MVP can decide out of his deal after the 2026-27 season.
Thanasis will make $2.9M subsequent season. That is a pittance in comparison with his brother’s $54.1M wage and the additional income the Bucks would get from a sustained playoff run. Thanasis won’t be probably the most proficient basketball participant, however he has a novel ability set as a “Giannis Whisperer.” He may go your complete season with out scoring some extent, and if his brother would not demand a commerce, the Bucks would nonetheless really feel like they obtained a discount.
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