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After Giannis signs extension, Bucks fans celebrate and roast doubters on social media

emmett prosser, milwaukee journal sentinel
·4 min read
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks the ball during the first half of their preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday, October 20, 2023 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

If you were one of the many local sports fans who believed global NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo was going to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks beyond next season, your Christmas arrived about two months early.

Monday was a night to say "I told you so."

(And some of you did).

Antetokounmpo took to social media to announce that he had signed a three-year extension to stay with the Bucks through at least the 2026-27 season (the 2027-28 year is a player option), putting Bucks fans in a celebratory state three nights before the tip-off Milwaukee's 2023-24 season.

And many Bucks and NBA supporters were quick to burn those who doubted Giannis' loyalty to the city and the franchise, especially ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Windhorst, a veteran national NBA writer who hosts the popular NBA podcast, "The Hoop Collective," predicted in the offseason that the chance of Antetokounmpo re-signing with the Bucks was "50-50 at best."

"I would say right now it's 50/50 at best and I don't think that's new information. I think the Bucks knew that already. They knew that even before they got knocked out out of the playoffs last year. If you look at the Bucks’ roster, which is primarily in its 30s, if you look at their asset base, which is depleted, and you look at Giannis, who’s 28 years old, these are on different tracks. It’s not impossible they could pull some sort of maneuver – and I don’t think any of this comes as a surprise to the Bucks. I think it’s uncomfortable that he’s being so public about it, I think this is the way it is."

Oops.

Windhorst said all this, of course, before general manager Jon Horst pulled off the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland for Damien Lillard. That possibly would have changed his opinion.

But gleeful Bucks fans pounced immediately:

But let's get back to the rejoicing that Giannis signed a year early.

Sure, he has a mural, but maybe its time to just build his statue in front of Fiserv Form starting tomorrow.

And if this keeps up, a monument for Horst perhaps as well? He's now pulled off a second trade for an NBA superstar, which convinced his franchise player to stick around for at least four more years.

That's a pretty decent few weeks for your organization and fan base.

Bucks fans, this is truth, it's really not a dream.

But Knicks and Lakers fans can keep dreaming.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks fans roast Windhorst on social media after Giannis signs deal