Opening night at the Fiserv Forum was an emotional one for the Milwaukee Bucks. Before they defeated the Brooklyn Nets in blowout fashion, 127-104, the team had their NBA championship ring and banner raising ceremony.
The arena was sold out as fans packed inside and out to see the ceremony. It was the first time in two years that opening night had a ring ceremony, as the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the Los Angeles Lakers’ ceremony until fans were allowed into the building later in the season.
The rings are a masterpiece, getting bigger and gaudier each season. The Milwaukee Bucks’ rings have 360 diamonds on the top. There are 16 emerald-shaped diamonds on the left and right sides of the ring as well.
The ‘Fear the Dear’ phrase is present on one side along with the player’s name and jersey number. The other side had Bucks in 6, which fans rallied behind during the team’s run to the NBA Championship.
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To finish it off, there is a removable top that reveals a QR code which when scanned shows highlights from the season.
The QR code feature is one that Giannis Antetokounmpo suggested be included on the ring. He was emotional throughout the ceremony, as he and his teammates are not etched in NBA history as champions.
“That’s going to be forever,” Antetokounmpo said, via ESPN. “You can walk away from the game today and that banner is always going to be there. You can always come back and watch a game in 2055 — hopefully, we are alive — and the banner is going to be there.”
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What made this even more special for Giannis was that he was able to experience it with his brother, Thanasis. Thanasis was in the league’s health and safety protocols during Game 6 of the NBA Finals and missed the clinching game and subsequent celebration.
“He hasn’t taken his ring off,” Giannis said with a laugh. “He went to the cold tub with his ring. He got treatment with his ring. He put it on his pinkie, then he switched and put it on his thumb. He kept opening it and closing it and taking pictures. That’s the awesome part of this.”
Winning an NBA Championship is exciting enough for players. Getting to do it with your brother makes it that much more special as Giannis Antetokounmpo just accomplished.
