Giannis Antetokounmpo recently shared a story that helped shape him into the superstar he is today. Even though the Bucks haven’t made a deep playoff run in a few years, the former MVP is still one of the league’s best players.
Antetokounmpo earned global recognition after leading Milwaukee to a championship in 2021, but not much is known about his early NBA years and how he developed into the player he is today. After all, he wasn’t a high-profile rookie, and it took time for him to develop.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Speaks on Consistent Greatness
Unlike most players, Antetokounmpo holds himself to higher standards. While many NBA guys just try to dominate a game or two, Antetokounmpo said he learned from a young age that the true greats do it night in and night out.
During a recent episode of a podcast called “Thanalysis,” hosted by the Bucks star’s brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the former MVP discussed some advice that he received from a former coach.
“I had one coach back in the day that said, the greats, they might have maybe five to 10 off nights. Like out of 82 games, they have five to 10 off nights. So, 72 games, they’re going to give you buckets. Like that’s what the greats do. And I was like 19, 20 years old.
“… And I took that to heart. Like it doesn’t matter. You got to prep. You got to prep your body for the next one. It doesn’t matter if you score 30, 40, 50, win the game, last the game.”
Although it is unclear who Antetokounmpo is referring to, it is most likely Tim Grgurich, who was the Milwaukee Bucks’ assistant coach from 2016 to 2018.
While Antetokounmpo undoubtedly deserves all the credit for transforming into the player that he has become today, the mindset that, as he called him, “Coach Gerg,” gave him helped him realize that being great was all about performing consistently regardless of the situation at hand.
As things stand, Milwaukee holds the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference and will face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. Antetokounmpo also revealed on the podcast that he is eager to win a second championship.
Although Damian Lillard is dealing with an illness and has been sidelined for the foreseeable future, Antetokounmpo has elevated his play and can potentially carry the Bucks past the Pacers himself. After all, he will certainly be considered the best player on the court and most well-established.
