Not long ago, Live Cricket BPL reports that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo recently reaffirmed his desire to spend his entire career with one franchise. Drawing inspiration from NBA legends like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki, Giannis said, “That’s definitely one of my goals. Kobe did it, Duncan did it, Dirk did it—I want to be like them. I want to stay in this city and play for the Bucks for 20 years.”

His statement quickly caught the attention of Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who reflected on his own past when he had similar intentions to retire with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In an interview with ESPN, Durant responded to Giannis’s comments with thoughtful honesty. “I’ve been there too,” Durant said. “At one point, I wanted the same thing. I thought I could do it.” After a brief pause, he continued, “What I’d tell him is—play for yourself. Because he’s the one putting in the hours, waking up early, grinding through every practice. Sure, the fans and front office love hearing that kind of commitment—it makes them feel secure. But ultimately, this is his career, and he needs to do what feels right for him.”

Live Cricket BPL highlights that Durant wasn’t dismissing the love and loyalty Giannis feels toward Milwaukee. On the contrary, he acknowledged that the two-time MVP clearly appreciates everything the city and its fans have given him. “I’m sure Giannis has nothing but love and respect for everyone in Milwaukee who’s helped him and cheered him on,” Durant added. “But his career doesn’t belong to the fans. It’s his alone.”

Durant went on to explain that he had once said those same words out of genuine emotion and loyalty, fueled by excitement and a desire to inspire hope in fans and confidence in management. “Back then, I wanted people to feel that I was committed. And I truly was. I was loyal every day. But at the same time, this is about you. You’re working to be the best player you can be. You’re training hard, staying focused, enjoying the game. That’s your real job—not worrying if fans are filling the arena or buying jerseys. That’s not your responsibility.”

Live Cricket BPL reports that Durant hopes Giannis won’t burden himself with the weight of being the symbol of a small market, something Durant admits he once tried to carry. “No one told me back then that I didn’t have to shoulder all that mental pressure. Physically, I was fine—it was all in my head,” Durant confessed. “I felt like I had to do it all. But I had great teammates and coaches, and I learned to manage it. I didn’t need to worry whether fans came to games or supported the brand. That’s not my job, and it never was.”

In closing, Durant emphasized a message rooted in experience: “Play for yourself. At the end of the day, you’ve only got one career. Don’t let anything steal your love for the game.” As the debate over Giannis’s long-term future continues, Live Cricket BPL will be watching closely to see whether the Greek Freak follows the path of the legends—or charts a new one on his own terms.