MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks holds the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award and Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals during Game Six of the 2021 NBA Finals on July 20, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE .

Giannis: 'I don't care about being the face of the NBA'

5 years ago
Barry Gossage / NBA / Getty Images

Fresh off his first championship, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo says he has bigger priorities on his mind than being recognized as the NBA's poster boy.

"I don't care about being the face of the NBA. KD or Harden can be," the reigning Finals MVP said, according to SPORT24's Harris Stavrou. "I want to be with my kids and my family, I want to win and enjoy the game. I want to be Giannis the hard worker."

Antetokounmpo's popularity continues to soar. The 26-year-old had the fifth-highest selling jersey across the league through the first half of the 2020-21 season. LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry rounded out the top five.

Antetokoumpo dominated throughout the Bucks' postseason run, averaging 30.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 21 contests. The Athens, Greece native even managed to return from a hyperextended knee after just two games to make a crucial impact in the NBA Finals, helping Milwaukee win its first title in 50 years.

The Bucks superstar said he relished the opportunity to feature in such pressure-filled games throughout the playoffs and has his sights set on winning more hardware.

"I love the playoffs and the pressure. I enjoy pressure, I didn't care about the result," Antetokounmpo said. "And now what's next? Now I know what it takes, now I want to do it again."

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS
MORE STORIES