Giannis Antetokounmpo, aka the Greek Freak, is a throwback to tough old school NBA players. When asked a few years ago about practicing with other NBA stars he said "It feels weird. It doesn't feel right with me. Like other players, it's cool for other players but I don't." Gotta love the fire about wanting to beat those other guys but not practice with them. Old school mentality.
Taken with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft many thought he was a reach but year after year he continues to improve. He's usually the first guy to the facility and the last to leave. He made the All NBA Rookie Second Team. His hard work payed off in 2017 when he won Most Improved Player of the year!
He's a two time NBA MVP as well as a 5 time All Star winning the All Star MVP in 2021. He's been apart of the all NBA First team three times and the Second Team twice. He's a three time All Defensive First team member as well as the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. Talk about a guy who works hard on the floor.
The Greek has an amazing knack at effortlessly getting to the hoop.. When he goes to the hole, get out the way! Defensively he can do it all and shut down anyone. He continues to work on all aspects of his game and will only get better from here. Last year in the bubble the Bucks were supposed to go all the way yet they were knocked out of the bubble by Miami. This year facing an 0-2 deficit to the favored Nets, Giannis led an amazing comeback and eventually willed the Bucks to victory in seven games and are they are now in the NBA Finals.
Despite suffering a knee injury in the ECF vs the Hawks, Giannis worked hard enough to make it back for game-1 of the Finals. Imagine that an NBA Star coming back from an injury because the love of the game and magnitude of the moment mean that much to him and his team. Not like other players who may sit out of Finals games with cramps,. The Greek Freak has shown that old school players still exist. Guys who play despite injury, stay with the team that drafted them and have no friends on the court other than their teammates.
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