Giannis Antetokounmpo is a free agent next season. Yes, that’s a fact. You know that I know that. From everything you read, Giannis is probably staying in Milwaukee. There are no real signs of him leaving Milwaukee. But this does not stop basketball journalists at all. They’re chasing Giannis’ stories that are not truly there. Last Friday, Chris Mannix wondered out loud about tampering in Orlando with no real evidence and joked about it instead of it being a serious issue. On Sunday, David Aldridge and John Hollinger wrote a free agency primer featuring Giannis with this interesting paragraph.

If that’s the case, why are you writing the article? https://t.co/bLkQhTGvY6 pic.twitter.com/FPpoSP0pr5

— Charlie (@SnoTapWI) June 21, 2020

I’m not trying to provide hate content to Alridge and Hollinger. They’re both legends of their craft. But this is lazy at best. They want Giannis to be Kevin Durant in 2016 or LeBron James with The Decision or his return to Cleveland. Antetokounmpo is not like these guys. There is no sign that he will follow the path of James and Durant. Yet everyone wants him to be like this because it is great for the business. Like sex sells with Hollywood, drama sells with the NBA. Ever since The Decision, there is a desire to have this shit happen yearly.

The Decision took the NBA from being a nine-month spot to a 12-month spot. Once The Decision happened, the NBA became a full-year thing instead of taking some time off. Social media also helped make things a 12-month thing. This is why Giannis’ storyline fascinates so many people even though it’s a non-story. It drives clicks, drives viewers, and drives subscriptions. Everyone knows Giannis is not leaving, but the idea to make this into story sounds better than the reality.

Do you know what article would be better from the national media? Who could Giannis add to his super team? What about the fact that Anthony Davis has not signed a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. And Anthony Davis is a Midwest kid from Chicago. Not to mention, he is a big Green Bay Packers fan as well. Why isn’t that being talked about? Oh, that’s right, no one would ever leave LeBron’s side or cushy Los Angeles. My mistake, guys.

These stories will still keep coming out because they draw attention but they’re truly meaningless.

Charlie.