Giannis talks Lillard in Bucks, losing Jrue and goals for the season / News - Basketnews.com

Giannis Antetokounmpo talked about losing Jrue Holiday in the off-season and welcoming Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek Freak also spoke about his winner mentality and indicated goals for the upcoming season.

Credit: Michael Reaves, Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Michael Reaves, Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

In an interview with ESPN and Andscape, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo gave his candid thoughts about Jrue Holiday'sdeparture from the team and Damian Lillard'sarrival and talked about high hopes for the upcoming NBA season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Position:PFAge:28Height:211 cmWeight:98 kgBirth place:Athens, GreeceProfileNewsStatistics

"People just talk about basketball. But it's not just about basketball," said the Greek Freak about his relationship with Jrue Holiday. "It's about going to school and seeing him there, dropping his kids there, and I'm dropping my kid there and talking about our kids and talking about life."

"He had something about him that allowed you, when you were next to him, to feel good about yourself," Antetokounmpo continued to praise his ex-teammate.

Irrespective of the strong connection between himself and Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to start off the new season. Talking about Damian Lillard, who was traded to the Bucks, the Greek Freak had the following to say:

"Man, having a Top 75 [NBA] guy, an All-NBA, All-Star, a scoring threat from after half court. Having a guy like that next to you, you can go through the alley late at night, and you feel like you're the bully because you have that guy next to you."

The European star is under the impression that he and Lillard have a strong common point: "It's a blessing to have the opportunity to play with a guy that is built from the same cloth as you. A guy that is a killer [as a basketball player]. He plays with a chip on his shoulder."

Giannis also noted his commitment to the Bucks for the foreseeable future.

"I want to be like Tim Duncan, like Kobe, all those guys that played with one team for a lot of years and won the championship."

While bringing Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks indicates the organization's desire to be at the top of the NBA as a championship contender, Antetokounmpo injects a dose of skepticism into the conversation and notes that winning is always his top priority.

"But at the end of the day, before loyalty, winning comes first. We are judged on winning. I'm a winner. I want to win," Antetokounmpo said. "[I] want the organization to be on the same page and not to be comfortable because we won one [title]. So, what we going to wait 15 more years to win another one? No, no, no way."

Giannis concluded the interview by putting forth his winner mentality.

"I try to surround myself with greatness. I try to surround myself with winners. I want to be that guy."

The Greek Freak, whose NBA accolades are innumerable, is ready for the next season, hoping to replicate the 2020-21 season when the Bucks were crowned champions and he received Finals MVP honors.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.