‘He Was My Jordan’: Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Huge Words of Appreciation for LeBron James

Giannis Antetokounmpo had a rough ending to his 2020 season, but the 25-year-old is motivated to come out and get to the grind once more. For Giannis, a part of the motivation and the will to succeed came from watching his idol LeBron James play when he was just a kid back in Greece. 

Giannis might be a 2x NBA MVP, but his humility makes him stand out from the rest. “If someone takes the MVP next year and thinks I will be upset, I will tell him that I was playing for Filathlitikos,” mentioned Giannis on Cosmote TV’s Pick N ‘Roll show.

(Quotes translated from Greek via Google). 

The Bucks superstar pipped LeBron James to the award in 2020 and completed back-to-back MVP triumphs. But the ‘Greek Freak’ is no sore loser and would graciously accept if James avenges his shortcomings in the upcoming season. “Will I be upset if LeBron wins and not me? We will not go completely crazy. Seven years ago, I saw LeBron with his mouth open. He was my Jordan, and now I’m in the same conversation about him,” Giannis added. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoyed a meteoric rise in the NBA, and every bit of it came through sheer hard work. But the towering forward used to find it hard to believe that he had become a global star. “I have caught myself saying “what did I do dude”. It happened when I put 14 in the preseason with the Cavaliers, at 18 and when I put 50 in the Jazz,” Giannis expressed. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo hints at staying with the Bucks and adds more spice to it

There’s still massive speculation surrounding Giannis’ future in the NBA. On one hand, there are rumors about him signing a super-max, but he can still sign a blockbuster deal elsewhere and bid goodbye to Milwaukee. 

Giannis might have rubbished the rumors of him leaving when he appeared on Cosmote TV recently. The 25-year-old added spice to his words by mentioning that he would be more than happy to welcome a player like LeBron James or Anthony Davis to the team. 

“I’m proud of what we did with the Bucks. If LeBron [James], [Kevin] Durant, [Anthony] Davis came to Milwaukee, I would be fine. I do not care who is first, second, third. I want to win,” the Greek Freek said. 

This raises massive questions. Though LeBron and KD might not join Milwaukee, 27-year-old Anthony Davis really can. He’s young and can dominate the league at an insane level by teaming up with Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

There is no official confirmation about Giannis’ extension with Milwaukee. From the look of things, the 2X MVP is not fixated on holding the responsibility as the team’s #1 player.

Also Read: ‘Kobe Told Me’- Giannis Antetokounmpo Willing to Team Up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis