With Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee after getting traded by the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat, we asked you Bucks fans how you’re feeling.
We also asked you if you had one thing you wanted to say to Giannis right now what it would be.
A lot of you answered. So here’s a sampling of your farewell messages to the Milwaukee legend:
T.R. Nelson, Milwaukee: Giannis, I’m sad to see you go. I believe when they spilt up the dream team, it was downhill from there. You and your family were great assets to our city and I believe you truly cared about us, as we did you. I pray you receive what you are searching for and please never forget us. We will never forget you. God bless.
Robert, Milwaukee: I’m so sorry the organization was not better equipped on how to give you the supporting cast you needed to compete. This organization failed you, the city of Milwaukee and the NBA.
Justin, Milwaukee: It’s always hard to see a good thing end – and you were (are) unequivocally good for the city, uniting us in a rare way that transcends our differences and brings a singular focus, a connection we all share. Thank you for that. Go do what you need to do and be proud of what you have accomplished and continue to. We’ll save you a spot at the table.
Rick, Wausau: Thank you for your elite level of play, for how hard you’ve worked and for how seriously you take your job. Thank you for accepting that you’re a role model for young people and for being a great one. Thank you for sharing your story, your family history and your journey to becoming one of the NBA’s all-time greats. It is truly inspirational, heart-warming and one of the best feel-good stories I’ve ever seen from the sports world. Above all, thank you for all you’ve done for Bucks fans, the city of Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin and for basketball fans all over the world. I’ve been a Wisconsin sports fan my entire life. It is very cool to know that you’re going to join guys like Bart Starr, Hank Aaron and Bob Uecker on our Mount Rushmore of the best athletes, and people, in our history.
Eileen Otto, Tucson, Arizona: I moved out of Milwaukee in 2001. You were so wonderful, so great for Milwaukee, a wonderful hero for the children back there. Thank you for all you have done for my old hometown. Good luck in your new city.
Angelo, Madison: Thank you, Giannis. You brought passion and relevance to Milwaukee basketball. The finals were the culmination of a dream for so many Bucks fans and will never be forgotten. Don’t sweat the blowback. You are one of us. You are family.
Ken Singer, Jackson: Best wishes. Thank you for all you have done for the Bucks and Milwaukee. I truly hope you get at least one more championship. You gave us many great memories. It’ll be a long, long time before we see a player as great as you are playing here.
Eric Lindquist, Eau Claire: Dear Giannis, thank you for rejuvenating my love of the Bucks, for making my favorite NBA team relevant again after many down years, for bringing a championship to Wisconsin and, most of all, for proving that a superstar professional athlete still can be role model and great person. I have been a Bucks fan for over 50 years, and yet you quickly became my favorite Buck — and even athlete — of all time. You even once took time to pose for a photo with my son, who loves you as much as I do. Once again, for all of it, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Paul Lucey, Milwaukee: I’m so thankful for your many years here! I met your father at a game once and blurted out how proud of you I was as a Greek-American. But I now know more about how you were treated by some people in Greece. Go with God, Giannis. May you and your whole family be blessed!
Scott Johnson-Tews, Milwaukee: You gave us your all and only asked to stay here and yet this is how you are repaid. My sincerest apologies! Be well, play great and take Miami all the way. Show Milwaukee what could have been!
Phyllis Piano, Thousand Oaks, California and Milwaukee: Thank you for being a class act the entire time you were a Milwaukee Buck. You were a fantastic ambassador for your team and city. Wishing you and your wonderful family all the best as you move on to your next adventure. How lucky Miami is to get you! I guess you will not miss the Milwaukee winters. Wishing you and your family the very best in the future. You deserve every good thing. Thanks for what you did for the Bucks and Milwaukee. Your achievements, contributions to those less fortunate and your humility will never be forgotten.
Sue, Milwaukee: Giannis, you are the heart of this city and of the team. I don’t have the words to express how much you will be missed. I am devastated that you are leaving. Please remember this is always your home.
Sheryl, New Berlin: Giannis, you brought life to this city with your play and community contributions. I’m so sad that you were traded – ownership changes have repercussions, I guess – I will miss you and cheer you on in your new role in another franchise. I wish I could change what happened but I can’t. Just know I love and respect you and will forever. Best of luck!
Brian Badura, Brookfield: You took us from last to NBA champions. You gave us hope – something to believe in – every single game. You represented the people of Milwaukee and what we stand for, and we embraced you for being “you”. This isn’t goodbye. It’s so long for now. We know you’ll be back because you will always be welcome here.
Evalyn Mackenzie, Wauwatosa: One of the first things that made me feel at home in Milwaukee was the Bucks, specifically you, Giannis. I moved to Milwaukee about three years ago to start medical school. Cheering on the Bucks was one of the things that helped me feel connected and like I belonged in this new city. It didn’t take too long for Bucks fandom to become a core part of my personality. From watching all the games to dressing up as Bango and Giannis with my fiancé for Halloween, I love learning more about you and the Bucks all the time. You quickly became my favorite player for not only your superhuman skills, but also for your love of basketball and for everyone around you. You are a model for the entire NBA and for the world. You are pure goodness. You are forever family to all of us in MKE no matter what team you’re on. I am devastated to see you go, but I want you to be able to chase another championship. The Bucks will grow, and I hope to welcome you back home before you retire many years down the road.
Gretchen Mead, Milwaukee: Giannis, I wasn’t the biggest basketball fan in MKE, but you made me want to watch. I was proud that we were on the same team, cheering for the same team. Thank you for stopping by the Victory Garden Initiative Farm this spring. It’s a place I put my blood, sweat and tears into, and truly an honor to have you give it your blessing. Sending you and your family love on your next steps.
John Janasik, Milwaukee: Our family wishes you the best with your new team. We will miss you, and we want to thank you for bringing a championship to Milwaukee. Our family admires the values you have to your family and Milwaukee. You are a inspiration to the children who are growing up. Every time you played in a game, you gave 100 percent effort. People came from all over the world to come see you play. We became season ticket-holders to the Milwaukee Bucks just to see you play. Thank you for all that you have given to the Milwaukee Bucks and the city of Milwaukee.
Carol Robinson, Richfield: Thank goodness that the Bucks drafted you 16 years ago. You were the perfect athlete to come to Milwaukee. You not only are a great basketball player, but a kind soul. You embraced our city, brought the rest of your family here, found your love of your life, raised your family. Please come back, perhaps as your last hoorah as a basketball player or just to retire (here and in Greece). You will always be loved by Milwaukeeans.
Janis Crego, Elm Grove: Dear Giannis, what a player we were so privileged to have. It was fun to see you grow from a 19-year-old kid to the best basketball player that you became. How rewarding it’s been to see you raising a family and having such a supportive wife. We love what both of you and your brothers have done for our city. We all are better for it. It won’t be the same without you. Miami is getting a great person. Thanks for the last 13 years! We will always remember you and hold those memories within our hearts. Good luck in your future endeavors.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks fans send farewell messages to Giannis Antetokounmpo
Reporting by JR Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By JR Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
