Weeks ahead of the 2014 All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, Giannis Antetokounmpo, then a 19-year-old skinny rookie, wrote a blog that was published on the NBA’s website. There, he openly expressed his gratitude for making the Milwaukee Bucks‘ starting lineup, becoming the youngest to do so in franchise history.
Drafted 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, the young Greek viewed that achievement as an early lesson on NBA greatness: “Respect is not a given. You have to earn it with hard work,” he wrote.
And he’s held onto that belief ever since.
Twelve seasons later, Antetokounmpo has earned the respect of not only his team but the whole league. Players past and present have praised the Greek Freak, who brought Milwaukee its second NBA championship while building a top-tier individual legacy of his own.
With his resume, many have wondered where Giannis stands among the league’s all-time greats. Antetokounmpo has probably wondered about that, too.
However, he knows exactly where he stands right now and where he wants to be when everything has been said and done.
“That’s the goal, [but] I’m not there yet,” he said. “They’re like the top 10 of all time. I think I’m trying to be there by the end of my career. I got a lot of work to do, but I’m going to be there.”
The Greek Freak’s case
After winning his first MVP award in 2018-2019, he won his second and a Defensive Player of the Year award the following season, becoming the third player besides Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon to achieve this feat in the same season.
In 2021, Giannis led the team to its first championship since 1971. The Bucks toppled the Devin Booker and Chris Paul-led Phoenix Suns in six games, with Antetokounmpo’s historic 50-point, 14-rebound Game 6 performance sealing the series for the team. He was hailed as Finals MVP.
That same year, Antetokounmpo became the youngest player to be named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team at 26 years old, solidifying his case as an all-time great.
Currently, he has nine All-Star, seven All-NBA First team and four All-Defensive First team selections. With accolades like his, there is no doubt that the Greek Freak has the potential to enter the GOAT conversation before or by the end of his career.
Giannis will just need to grow as a player by adapting to the league’s trends (e.g., by improving his shooting) and help the Bucks win more games, especially in the postseason, where they haven’t made past the first round since 2021-2022.
Giannis still has time
Although his legacy is secured, Giannis is not; he still wants to chase NBA greatness and win another championship.
“I think at this point, I’ve accomplished everything that I’ve put my mind to,” he said. “But now I just want more. I want to win another championship… because legacy is very important for me.”
Giannis, 30, still has plenty of time to do that. Weighing in on his career longevity, he said he wants to play in the league until he’s at least 36 years old, looking to add more to his legacy and keep winning.
“Legacy—like what I’m going to be remembered for, how I’m going to be one of the all-time greats,” he said. “But you got to play to win. I don’t play to just be around or get paid.”
Antetokounmpo believes he is still not worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant or Stephen Curry. But, like the moment he first became a starter, he knows he needs to earn his spot in the conversation, and he will do so with sheer hard work.