Giannis Antetokounmpo: 'Don't call me MVP until I'm a champion'
Giannis Antetokounmpo won his second consecutive MVP award on Friday to join some pretty elite company. However, he doesn't want all the praise he's receiving just yet ... even though he appreciates it.
The Milwaukee Bucks star said Friday on SportsCenter that he doesn't want to be called MVP until he's won an NBA title, which is understandable as that is the ultimate goal.
Antetokounmpo's Bucks were upset by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, losing in five games after a wildly successful regular season and first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic.
After that loss, rumors began to circulate that Antetokounmpo would seek a title elsewhere. However, Milwaukee's management then assured him that they'll spend money to build a competitive team around him.
Antetokounmpo is eligible to sign a super-max extension with the Bucks, but many teams are interested in pursuing his services if he becomes a free agent, including the Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. A super-max contract with the Bucks could be worth about $220 million, which is around $80 million more than he could get from another team as a free agent after next season.
While Antetokounmpo seems to be committed to the organization, it probably won't be an easy task to get him signed past 2021. If Milwaukee and the four-time All-Star can't work out a deal, they'll have to trade him before next season's trade deadline or risk losing him for nothing as an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
More must-reads: