Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken the NBA by storm, emerging from his native Greece and developing into the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player. The Bucks big man helped lead Milwaukee to the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago and made the team a championship contender for the foreseeable future.
However, the ‘Greek Freak’ is also not interested in becoming too friendly with fellow All-Stars around the league. Sam Amick of The Athletic examined Antetokounmpo’s thinking in a lengthy feature, noting his desire to be his own player.
“Man, it’s not that I don’t want to (learn from other stars). I get better every day,” he said. “I’ll learn from the 15th player on our team. I’ll learn from (Bucks reserve guard) Frank Mason. But my competitive nature is so high that when I go and practice (with other stars), I can’t do it. That’s me.”
In an age where All-Stars with longstanding friendships seek to form super-teams, it appears that Antetokounmpo is set in his own ways. He added that he did not receive an invitation to Kobe Bryant‘s camp earlier this summer and that he preferred not to be around other All-Stars.
“I’m not saying it’s right, but that’s me,” he said. “I just know myself. I know that because I’m a nice person, I’m going to start building relationships (with those other stars). And then I’m going to go against those guys, and they’re going to be my friends.
“… I want to play for 20 years and just play, and then make friendships at the end.”
How did he “emerge from his native” exactly?
The same way he made the team a championship.
Lol… that’s kind of a back hand to Frank Mason no? Like I’ll learn from this trash dude.
Just an honest assessment.
You know personally it sounds like a bunch writers are trying to make drama and conflict. No matter what he says they are going to twist it. Just let him play his game and leave him alone
Maybe he should look to make some friends and recruit for Milwaukee. I mean if the bucks want to win a ring they will have to bring in some more stars because Philly is looking really strong, Boston have died down but they will come back strong with Tatum, the Raptors have Siakim and will build around him, the Nets have Irving and Durant. If the Bucks want success they need to get talent around Giannis and they only way they do that is the draft or him recruiting
Lol the Bucks are going to the finals
*conference finals
I get the whole I want to play with my friends theory but at the end of the day if a player wants to win a championship and respects Giannis as a player, I doubt he would choose Toronto over Milwaukee just because Siakim and he are friends if Milwaukee clearly has the better roster and the contract offers are similar. At the end of the day it comes down to winning and playing alongside Giannis makes you an instant contender every season. It also helps that their roster is made up of unselfish players who all get along, keep things positive and make the game fun to play.
This is the main reason the signed both Lopez twins, George Hill and Pau Gasol to ride the bench last season after being bought out.
Refreshing to hear from a true competitor. Come to Toronto Giannis. One of the best cities and beat organizations on the planet, not to mention the CHAMPS!!
Looking forward to him playing for the Warriors. Hopefully Curry is still on half a tank (or 3/4) and Klay is back to what he was. They’ll be right back in the hunt!
He’s not going anywhere. He’s happy to bring championships to Milwaukee.
Pretty sure GS couldn’t even keep their HOF player in Durant. What stars other than him have they attracted there exactly?