Giannis Antetokounmpo and a selection of his teammates were assembled outside the Bradley Center in Milawukee. Despite it only being mid-November, the temperature was only in the upper twenties, and Giannis, dressed only in his underwear, shivered.
“I don’t know if trust you guys,” Giannis said hesitantly, teeth chattering. “Last time we do team-building like this, I drink so much beer I throw up and pass out.”
Zaza Pachulia looked up from trying to figure out his stopwatch. “Milwaukee Miller Madness is a Bucks tradition. There was nothing dangerous about it at all. This year, we’re trying something different, which we’re calling ‘Bradley Center Bratwurst Barbarity.’ Ersan, would you like to explain it to our fine young contestants?”
“Sure, Zaza,” Ersan Ilyasova responded, taking off his sunglasses, which he wore despite night having already fallen. “Listen up kids. Me and Zaza brainstorm for whole summer to come with new fun contest this winter. We are thinking, what is more Milwaukee than bratwurst sausages? So new game has no alcohol at all, just uncooked brats.”
Giannis looked over at Nate Wolters, Jabari Parker, Damien Inglis, and Johnny O’Bryant. They all looked how Giannis felt: confused and mostly naked.
“You might thinking, how to play?” Ersan continued. “Rules are simple: eat ten uncooked bratwursts with bun, then run around Bradley Center ten time without making puke. In case of more than one player finishing, Zaza keep time.”
This sounded somewhat foolish to Giannis, but he really wanted to fit in with his teammates. He had been assured that this was how team bonding worked in Wisconsin. He was ready for the challenge.
Zaza was unwrapping packages of brats, making them into little piles of ten on the ground. Next to him were two shopping bags full of hot dog buns. Giannis saw these things and felt a sense of renewed vigor well up in side of him. He would win. He would win “Bradley Center Bratwurst Barbarity.”