Too much dip on their chips
Written By Jonathan Peter on September 6, 2021
A few weeks back, this clip of Giannis Antetokounmpo went viral and for good reason. The Milwaukee Buck, who is a two-time MVP and a Finals MVP, stated that he would be open to someday playing for the Chicago Bulls.
NBA stars voicing their feelings about playing for different teams is nothing new. Hell, Antetokounmpo’s statement wasn’t even the craziest moment of the offseason. Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant had requested a trade from the team before coming to an “agreement” to stay put. Even better, LeBron James said he wants to play with his son, Bronny, and Steph Curry at some point in his career.
These three statements from these three superstars is confusing because of a one main reason. Antetokounmpo, Durant, and James are all under contract for multiple seasons with their current teams. So what’s the purpose of causing this kind of commotion?
Some may argue that when superstars make bold proclamations, they are trying to establish leverage against their current teams. But that makes very little sense to me. All three organizations, the Lakers, Bucks, and Nets, have done many things to keep their star players happy. The franchises have signed the max-contract money and have surrounded them with other quality players, as well as obliged to specific requests given by the players themselves. Any leverage stars think they can manufacture quickly evaporates before their own eyes.
Despite their talent, it’s not easy for any player to go a new team and start from the ground up. They have to build chemistry with their new teammates. They have to establish commitment to a franchise by building rapport with coaches, front office executives, and owners. Lastly, stars have to garner a new following from the new city they join.
It’s easy for a city to welcome a superstar. No sports fan will be sad when an all-time great talent shows up to play for their favorite team. However, fans will be quick to forget about anything accomplished as soon as that guy leaves. Ask Golden State Warriors fans how they feel about Kevin Durant or Miami Heat fans about LeBron James.
Giannis should consider how his counterparts are viewed throughout the league. He has an opportunity, along with the current generation of stars in the NBA, to reset the perspective that star players in small markets are flight risks. Larger NBA media outlets have long been the proponents who push for small market stars to play for teams in big cities. Hopefully, this agenda can die off and stars can etch their legacy for a single team.
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- Bailey Bassett’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft
- Unwavering Unselfishness- The best way for the Nuggets to face their toughest competition.
- The Nuggets have clinched the one seed for the first time in franchise history. Here’s why fans should take pride in it.
- There are 20 games left for the Denver Nuggets. Here’s what they need to figure out before playoff time.
- The 15 minutes of Doom- what could help the Nuggets avoid disaster.
- Bailey Bassett’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft
- Unwavering Unselfishness- The best way for the Nuggets to face their toughest competition.
- The Nuggets have clinched the one seed for the first time in franchise history. Here’s why fans should take pride in it.
- There are 20 games left for the Denver Nuggets. Here’s what they need to figure out before playoff time.
- The 15 minutes of Doom- what could help the Nuggets avoid disaster.
- Bailey Bassett’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft
- Unwavering Unselfishness- The best way for the Nuggets to face their toughest competition.
- The Nuggets have clinched the one seed for the first time in franchise history. Here’s why fans should take pride in it.
- There are 20 games left for the Denver Nuggets. Here’s what they need to figure out before playoff time.
- The 15 minutes of Doom- what could help the Nuggets avoid disaster.
- Bailey Bassett’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft
- Unwavering Unselfishness- The best way for the Nuggets to face their toughest competition.
- The Nuggets have clinched the one seed for the first time in franchise history. Here’s why fans should take pride in it.
- There are 20 games left for the Denver Nuggets. Here’s what they need to figure out before playoff time.
- The 15 minutes of Doom- what could help the Nuggets avoid disaster.
- Bailey Bassett’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft
- Unwavering Unselfishness- The best way for the Nuggets to face their toughest competition.
- The Nuggets have clinched the one seed for the first time in franchise history. Here’s why fans should take pride in it.
- There are 20 games left for the Denver Nuggets. Here’s what they need to figure out before playoff time.
- The 15 minutes of Doom- what could help the Nuggets avoid disaster.
- Bailey Bassett’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft
- Unwavering Unselfishness- The best way for the Nuggets to face their toughest competition.
- The Nuggets have clinched the one seed for the first time in franchise history. Here’s why fans should take pride in it.
- There are 20 games left for the Denver Nuggets. Here’s what they need to figure out before playoff time.
- The 15 minutes of Doom- what could help the Nuggets avoid disaster.
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