Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t letting trade rumors distract him - not when there’s work to be done on the court. On Monday night, the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game skid with a nail-biting 112-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks, and once again, it was their superstar forward leading the charge.
Antetokounmpo put up a classic all-around performance: 21 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting, 17 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block in just 30 minutes. It wasn’t his flashiest stat line of the season, but it was exactly what the Bucks needed - gritty, balanced, and timely. Giannis did a little bit of everything, as he so often does, and Milwaukee needed every ounce of it to hold off a Hawks team that refused to go away.
But that wasn’t the only headline for the “Greek Freak” on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the NBA announced that Antetokounmpo will once again be starting in the All-Star Game - his 10th selection in 11 seasons. That’s not just a milestone; it’s a testament to sustained greatness in a league where staying at the top is anything but easy.
When asked about the honor, Giannis took a moment to reflect on how far he’s come - and how much the journey has meant.
“I’d probably not believe it,” he said, thinking back to whether his younger self could’ve imagined this kind of career. He recalled an early meeting with then-Bucks GM John Hammond and assistant GM Dave Morway. They pointed to names like Paul Pierce and Tracy McGrady - perennial All-Stars - and told a young Giannis he had the tools to be one of them.
“I’m like, ‘Do you really believe that?’” he remembered asking.
The answer was yes - if he worked hard, he could get there. That conversation stuck with him.
“I’ve never said it publicly,” he admitted, “but one of my goals as a player was to be a 10-time All-Star.”
Now, at 31, he’s hit that goal. And true to form, he didn’t make it about himself.
“I want to thank everybody that has helped me on this journey,” he said. “I want to thank God for keeping me healthy, for keeping me hungry, for protecting me throughout this journey.”
That hunger is still there. The production is still elite. And the Bucks, despite a few recent bumps, are still very much in the thick of things - thanks in large part to the man who’s been their cornerstone for over a decade.
Ten All-Star nods later, Giannis isn’t just a star. He’s a standard.