By Brian Murphy
The fever dream of Giannis Antetokounmpo wearing the same jersey as Clifford Ray, Alton Lister, Joe Smith and Bobby Sura has never been closer to reality than it is right now.
Golden State Giannis, anyone?
And if it happens, would Joe Lacob officially change the “G” in Golden State to a silent “G”, in honor of the Greek Freak and all his championship-inducing skills?
Say it with me: Yol-den State Warriors, sports fans.
It could happen!
I mean, the part about Giannis wearing the same jersey as Sonny Parker, Bernard King, Chris Webber and Troy Murphy. That part could happen. I don’t think Lacob will change the Golden State “G” to a silent G, although that would be sorta cool. Or, maybe not.
Onward with the Jock Blog.
The multiple reports from NBA insiders scattered all over ESPN and The Athletic say that the Milwaukee Bucks and their two-time NBA MVP are ready to move on without each other. The 2021 NBA championship won by the Bucks when Giannis tallied a nifty 50 in Game 6 against the Phoenix Suns is now a distant memory, and both sides are looking for a fresh start.
Side note: that Bucks win was historic, Milwaukee’s first hoop crown since 1971 — and deprived the pugilistic “Suns In Four” fan a championship he so badly wanted. That’s the kind of force Giannis Antetokounmpo is.
Enter Joe Lacob and his insistent hunger for championships.
Enter Steph Curry and his fading timeline of chances for championships.
Enter Mike Dunleavy, armed with Jimmy Butler’s contract and four first-round draft picks he could send to Milwaukee.
The desire is there from ownership. The desire is there from No. 30 (presumably). The ammunition is there in terms of a care package sent from Thrive City to FiServ Forum.
I say a big fat Greek YES to this whole deal.
And I say this knowing that the Warriors will be selling so very much of the future. I say this knowing that Giannis is currently dealing with a serious calf injury, and recurring calf injuries in a 31-year-old player may cause you to gulp. I say this knowing that our pal Jimmy Butler’s contract will have to go in the deal, and quite likely Jonathan Kuminga and maybe even Milwaukee’s own Brandin Podziemski.
It’s all worth it.
Steph and Giannis together for two, three, maybe even four years could be basketball nirvana down at Warriors Way. It could Kevin Durant all over again, only with all of us being 10 years older.
With Butler’s unfortunate ACL injury; with Kuminga’s unhappiness; with the Warriors cupboard of draft picks . . . it all fits. I’ve been ambivalent in the past about selling everything for Steph. I’m not a big risk-taker, as I was just saying to every high dive and bungee jump I avoid.
But after watching the James Wiseman thing fizzle, and after watching the Jordan Poole thing get punched out, and after watching the Kuminga thing just go — I don’t know, how would you describe it? — so freakin’ haywire, it’s time to go all in.
Giannis is the right guy at the right time. To say the least.
The ball is in Milwaukee’s court to accept the Warriors’ presumed offer.
Come on, Bucks. Do the right thing.
The drive for five is just a decision away for the Steph Curry legacy.
