“The eight-time All-NBA selection and two-time NBA MVP is one of the most maniacal workers in the NBA…. I think he’ll continue to maintain a high level of fitness and strength.” The Athletic reporter Eric Nehm gave a candid answer when asked how long Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle physical plays. Despite the high scoring prowess, his injuries from last season created doubts on whether he will be able to perform similarly this year. The intensity of physical play also increased for the player in recent games. The rivals are certainly putting up a challenge in front of him. However, Giannis believes that a 58-year-old boxing legend can follow the same path if he does not shy away from a physical challenge.

The recent Bucks-Pistons matchup saw the Greek Freak put up an impressive performance. He scored 59 points within 44 minutes, thereby establishing a new 2nd-highest career-high score of his career. During the post-game presser, a reporter listed all the injuries/hits Giannis sustained over the matchups. Through all that and the presence of physical plays, she wanted to know the player’s way of handling things. Giannis paused, referencing the upcoming and highly anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. The veteran boxer put out a quote: “Some guys are manufactured killers, and he’s (Tyson) a born killer.” This resonated with Giannis. After all, Giannis has had experience with physical play from quite an early age.

“I’ve been in that position many times in my life. I have (had) two older brothers, you know, push me on the floor, play, be tough on me, especially Thanasis” said the 29-year-old Bucks star. “I’ve been so many times hit, so it doesn’t really phase me anymore. Doesn’t really phase me. All I could think about is just get up and try to make two free throws at the same time. It’s a dangerous play. That’s not a basketball play.”

Giannis’s remarks about adopting Mike Tyson’s philosophy came just as he had another about ailments. Suffering from a Right Patella Tendinopathy, the player’s availability for the Pistons matchup was under question. During the post-game presser, Giannis admitted that he faced trouble with the ailment throughout the matchup since “my glut was numb.” As a result, the player removed any hope of putting out physical plays. At the same time, however, he sent out a warning to any NBA rivals who would try physical plays on him, stating “I’m not going to lie to you, maybe if this happens in a week from now, I might lose it. I’m human.”

It was certainly appropriate that Giannis invoked Mike Tyson’s name when discussing invoking physicality. At 58 years of age, retired since 2005, the heavyweight boxing legend will fight again. Not against just anyone, but Jake Paul, an individual 31 years his junior! Tyson ensured that his capabilities would not be doubted. He posted training videos and participated in a Toyota Music Factory session amidst the crowd’s cheers. The heavyweight champion wants to remind fans why he is the ‘born killer’. Giannis wants to prove the same to NBA enthusiasts during the upcoming matchups, too. After all, if he won’t get the chance to put the lessons he learned during his childhood days in the game, then where else would he?

“That’s how I’m built”: Giannis Antetokounmpo learned to play through pain from his parents

Back in 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks were en route to the NBA Finals. However, Giannis sustained an injury during the Conference Finals after hyperextending his knee. According to ‘The Athletic’ reporter Eric Nehm, they didn’t expect the ‘Greek Freak’ to return to the court again. However, to the surprise of many, he returned six days later for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks had reportedly asked him to wear a knee brace if he insisted on playing. However, Giannis refused. It wouldn’t be until a year later when he would reveal the answer why.

Reflecting on his mentality, Giannis shared, “I have this mentality like, with my mom and dad, when they were working back home (in Greece), they felt no pain, you know? Like, why? Why would I feel pain, you know?” He drew inspiration from his parents’ resilience, watching them work tirelessly without complaining.

“They didn’t feel pain. They didn’t complain,” he continued. “You know, I didn’t see my dad cry when he was here. I didn’t see him saying, ‘I’m in pain,’ I don’t see my mom saying ‘I’m in pain’ and stuff like that. Why would I say I’m in pain?” With a straightforward resolve, he added, “That’s how I’m raised. That’s how I’m built. So even though that was the right thing to do — no. The way of my mindset, that wasn’t for me.”

The Greek Freak didn’t back down. Ultimately, the Milwaukee Bucks became the NBA champions for the first time in half a century. Now, three years later, the player looks to invoke that same sense of physicality as the Bucks look to get out of their 4-8 record.