The NBA champion of 2021 and the “Greek Freak” of the league, prominent talent of the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has seen multiple changes take place with the squad.
In his recent interview with The Athletic, Antetokounmpo has shed light on a wide range of subjects, including moving forward successfully in his partnership with All-Star Game MVP Damian Lillard.
Regarding the changes that went through the squad, the eight-time NBA All-Star shared via Eric Nehm of The Athletic, “It’s been hard because so many changes, so many injuries, so, so many things. A lot of things, up and down. Changes, as I said, game plan, structure, all of the BS.”
“We can start from f—— ownership, changed. Coach, changed. Coach, changed again. Star players, changed. From Khris being in and out. Like so much f—— s—. It’s just up and down. Up and down. So many things changing, man. But we got to stay together, I don’t like to victimize myself. I don’t like to feel bad about myself. That’s not who I am.”
The Greek sensation was picked up in the 2013 NBA Draft in the first round as the 15th overall pick by the Bucks. The Finals MVP is currently averaging 30.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 11.2 rebounds.
The Bucks currently are standing in the season with a record of 35-21 and in the Eastern Conference are in the third position. Considering the position of the Bucks, Antetokounmpo feels that he “have to keep on pushing” and that he cannot “let opportunities like this go to waste”.
Antetokounmpo has also taken a noteworthy role within the squad, which requires his orchestration. He is more expressive and has helped the members with practice sessions and play actions as well. He admits that he had to be “more vocal this year” and believes that in order to excel in the league by winning games, a “specific structure” and “specific culture” are needed.
He also expressed the platform he wants the squad to be on and says, “And if that level is not being met, as a leader, you have to push that envelope. Push everybody, your coaching staff, your teammates.”
The two-time NBA MVP also sheds light on the prominent addition of Lillard to the squad and that he realizes that the Bucks are “his team”. The Greek sensation is the all-time leading scorer of the Bucks however is content to give Lillard the reins during the pivotal moments.
Giannis Antetokounmpo says the Bucks are Damian Lillard’s team
“I am his biggest fan. Good or bad, I ride with Dame until the f—ing end. I ride with Dame. Like I’ve been saying this over and over again. This. Is. His. Team. Down the stretch, he’s going to get the ball. There’s… pic.twitter.com/W9kxCQ7RPo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 21, 2024
Regarding his partnership with the eight-time NBA All-Star, he shared, “I am his biggest fan. Good or bad, I ride with Dame until the f—ing end. I ride with Dame. Like I’ve been saying this over and over again. This. Is. His. Team. Down the stretch, he’s going to get the ball. There’s nothing else that we will do. I don’t know how else to put it. I don’t know what else to say. But at the end of the day, he has to believe it too.”
