“What He’s Always Done Really Well Is Lead By Example” : Giannis Antetokounmpo Floors Milwaukee Bucks Teammate With His Leadership Skills?

The Milwaukee Bucks are on course to be the best regular-season team for the second year in a row. Led by 2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, they are one of the favorites to win the NBA title. The Greek Freak who came in as a scrawny 6’9″ 190 pounds 18-year old, has not only transformed physically but also mentally.

While making an appearance on The JJ Redick Podcast, Bucks guard Pat Connaughton was raving about Giannis’ leadership skills. He said, “From what I’ve seen over the last two years, he’s getting to the point now where his voice is becoming heard often. But what he’s always done really well is lead by example. When the best player on your team is doing that, especially on a championship team, everybody else falls in that line. He has relationships, friendships, discussions with every guy on the team and everybody wants to play for him.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Leading from the front

Connaughton also talked about how Giannis’ work ethic was impacting the Bucks team culture. “He works as if he’s a second-round role player, but his talent is that of an MVP, championship-caliber teammate. So I think it is what has really started to build the culture of the Milwaukee Bucks as we’ve gotten better.”

He isn’t the first teammate who was in awe of Giannis. Last season, All-Star Khris Middleton had said, “He puts his work in, before practice, after practice. He’s in the weight room all the time. Guys see that. You’ve got one of the best players in the league, here doing that all the time, you’re going to follow.”

The work he puts in has shown out every season for Giannis. His points and rebounds per game since entering the league have seen a rise every season. His FG% might have slightly dipped this season compared to the previous season, but its because he has been working on his three-point shot as well. From going 25% from 2.8 attempts, he has now hit 30% from 4.8 attempts. He has the confidence to hit threes now and with his work-rate, the percentage is only going to increase.

Not only has he continued his MVP form but he also made a strong case for DPOY this year. His work on both ends of the floor has elevated his teams’ performance as well. The next challenge for Giannis is now to convert the regular season performance into post-season.