Fans React To What Stephen A. Smith Said About Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks just fired coach Mike Budenholzer, and he might not be the only key piece they lose this offseason.

Khris Middleton could opt out of the final year of his deal to pursue a more lucrative contract somewhere else, and Brook Lopez will also be a free agent.

So, the Bucks’ new ownership might not want to spend big bucks on keeping two guys in their 30s around for the long run, which would obviously hurt their chances of competing at the highest level.

With that in mind, Stephen A. Smith predicted that Giannis could force his way out eventually, with the New York Knicks having enough cap space in two summers to try and make a run at him.

.@stephenasmith isn't ruling out the possibility of Giannis wanting to come to the Knicks 👀 pic.twitter.com/D7Cn3WVbkD

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 5, 2023

Needless to say, the fans on Twitter had plenty to say about Smith’s comments.

You are treating Giannis like he is an American born athlete who needs to be on the biggest stage. He gets national commercials now and turns many down. He proved that he could win a championship in a small market. If he does go somewhere it won’t be LA or NY.

— Chuck Metz (@crmetz23) May 5, 2023

Giannis is going to be a Lakers

— tattooboss$13 (@cyco1313) May 5, 2023

I'm not ruling out the possibility of Dua Lipa being my girlfriend 👀

— Lep (@LepWho) May 5, 2023

When will they learn these superstars don’t care about New York or the Knicks???

— The Ultimate Warrior (@iGuessItsFxckMe) May 5, 2023

Welp… here is our yearly every star wants to go to the Knicks report

— Corey J💯🏁 (@coreyj_23) May 5, 2023

Giannis is a simple man, and he’s never made a big deal out of playing in a big market or playing under shiny lights.

Giannis has always kept it about basketball, and he repeatedly stated that he wants to win “the right way” and lead his own franchise rather than going somewhere else.

Also, the Knicks have always missed out on nearly every single one of their major targets, with Carmelo Anthony being the last superstar they successfully acquired.

Still, from a fan perspective, it would be an amazing story to see Giannis taking Madison Square Garden by storm and leading the Knicks to their first championship in decades, just like he did with the Bucks.