The Milwaukee Bucks’ star player Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly admitted that he considered retiring in 2020.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Shares Message Of Hope With World After First NBA Championship: "My Mom Was Selling Stuff In The Street And Now I'm Sitting Here At The Top Of The Top" -

Antetokounmpo claimed that the strain of accepting a $228 million, five-year deal extension caused him to start considering his future.

Jamais de pression du côté de Giannis »: l'agent de Giannis Antetokounmpo ouvre le contrat de 228 millions de dollars

That’s a lot of pressure, Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  Realizing that in order to be the best, you must play like the best.

“You have to put in as much practice as you can.” You have to present the best possible picture of yourself. It is challenging. In 2020, I was ready to give up on the game.

He was only the third player in league history to win both the MVP and Defensive Player titles the season before he signed the deal. The deal was the highest in NBA history at the time.

Giannis Antetokounmpo recently admitted he considered retiring in 2020 due to pressure

Giannis Antetokounmpo recently admitted he considered retiring in 2020 due to pressure

That season he won Larry O'Brien Trophy and Finals MVP to prove worthy of his megadeal

That season he won Larry O’Brien Trophy and Finals MVP to prove worthy of his megadeal

Antetokounmpo said, “It seems like everyone thinks I’m crazy.”

“You want to quit the game and take all of that cash with you? The biggest contract in NBA history was just signed by you.

“Hey, feel free to put that money in your I’m sorry for the swearing I did.

Antetokounmpo guided the Bucks to their first NBA Finals championship in fifty years by deciding not to retire.

In addition to winning Finals MVP that year, he proved he was deserving of every dollar of the deal that had been nagging at him.

As the first player to average more than 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and more while shooting more than 55 percent from the floor this season, Antetokounmpo created NBA history.

His averages were 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 31.1 points, and 55.3 percent from the field. He also had a part in the Bucks’ Eastern Conference championship victory.

Milwaukee will take on the team that advances to the conference’s eighth seed from the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Toronto Raptors play-in round.

The Heat lost the play-in game for the seventh seed but still have a second chance to advance

The Heat lost the play-in game for the seventh seed but still have a second chance to advance

Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto RaptorsChicago Bulls guard Patrick Beverley

The Bucks will play either the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, or Toronto Raptors in the playoffs