Giannis Antetokounmpo bid farewell to Milwaukee Bucks supporters in a video message posted Monday on social media as his departure to the NBA Miami Heat became official.
The Bucks, who led by the Greek superstar won the 2021 NBA crown to snap a 50-year title drought, agreed last month on a deal to send Antetokounmpo to Miami.
The trade, which under NBA rules could not be made official until Monday, sent Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr.., Kasparas Jakucionis, Nate Ament and four future draft picks.
"I want you to hear it from my mouth," Antetokounmpo said in the video. "The city of Milwaukee will always be in my heart. This is my home and this is a place that I had my kids. My mom is here. My father is here. My brothers played here.
"It made me the man I am today. That will never, ever change. No matter where I am, Milwaukee will alwys be my city, my team, my family."
Antetokounmpo, 31, played 13 seasons for the Bucks, who selected him 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.
The 10-time NBA All-Star was the 2019 and 2020 NBA Most Valuable Player and the 2021 NBA Finals MVP and averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocked shots and 1.1 steals a game.
"I want them to remember this from me," the Greek star said. "Don't worry about the basket. Don't worry about the championship. Don't worry about the winnings. Don't worry about the losses.
"I try to be like them."
Antetokounmpo posted highlights of his years with the Bucks, including celebrating the title with a huge crowd and saying he wanted a selfie video so he could remember the day for the rest of his life.
"I believe the city of Milwaukee is blue collar. It's people that work extremely hard every single day," he said. "They give all their hard-earned money just to come watch the Milwaukee Bucks, to come feel something, to be a part of us.
"I hope I was able to represent them the best that I could and that I was like them. I showed up to work, did everything I was willing to do, all the dirty work. Just like them.
"I hope that bringing a trophy to the city meant something to them because it meant so much to me."
'The driving force'
Bucks general manager Jon Horst, in an open letter to fans, paid tribute to Antetokounmpo, saying "there are few players in the history of professional sports who have elevated a franchise, a city and a fan base the way Giannis Antetokounmpo has for Milwaukee and the Bucks.
"He became one of the greatest players in basketball history, the heart of our organisation and the driving force behind an extraordinary era of Bucks basketball that will always be honoured."
Horst also defended the trade, saying the "decision is in the best interest of both the Bucks and Giannis.
"I understand the emotions this news brings, and I share them. I'm confident our path forward provides a strong foundation for sustained success."
