Thanasis Antetokounmpo responds to his doubters and sets example for kids / News - Basketnews.com

Thanasis Antetokounmpo suggests not allowing others to shape your story and shares that his choice to remain in Milwaukee was also influenced by the Bucks new head coach Adrian Griffin

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo secures the rebound under the rim, turns, dribbles, accelerates across the court, runs past three defenders, confronts two opponents in the paint, drives confidently, progresses into a layup motion, and unleashes a tough right-handed shot over the Jordanian veteran Zaid Abbas.

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The ball narrowly touches the top of the backboard, ultimately finding its mark as it gracefully crosses the net, all while the referee signals a foul.

The entire Greek National Team bench jumps to their feet, erupting in applause for Thanasis. He embraces the moment, locking eyes with his bench with an intense expression.

For Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the basketball court holds a sacred significance.

We have become used to witnessing him playing different roles for his team. However, due to the challenges posed by injuries and a shortened rotation of coach Dimitris Itoudis, the Greek National Team needs him to do more than ever before.

"The situation is totally different than ever when I had to play for the national team. But I trust the coach and the plan he prepared for me with his assistants. I do whatever it takes, man," Antetokounmpo shares with BasketNews in the lead-up to the highly anticipated FIBA World Cup matchup against Team USA.

In this year's Greek roster, Thanasis stands as the lone NBA representative, poised to go head-to-head with prominent NBA figures and those destined for future superstardom.

Not too far in the past, there were reports questioning whether he could play in the NBA, garnering millions of views and stirring discussions.

During our talk with Thanasis on BasketNews, he shared the important message he wants to give to kids. He also talked about the chance of moving from Milwaukee to New York and how he handles people who doubt his abilities.

Antetokounmpo's anthem signing before every game was a standout moment during EuroBasket 2022. Whose voice stands out the most behind you now when the anthem plays?I don't know... I hear some voices, but I can't tell you for sure. Next time, I'll try to recognize it, I got you (smiles).

Giannis Antetokounmpo

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

It's kind of an appreciation. We were born and raised in Greece. Our brothers and sisters, people whom we've been all our lives watching representing our country, this is big for us.

You've only missed one summer without a national team in 2021. How do you view players who skip NT summers due to non-injury-related reasons?It's very unfair for me to speak for them.

We have always appreciated the fact of being and playing here, giving up the summer and quality time for families and themselves.

However, basketball is such a mental game. You definitely need time off after the season. And now, again, we have to appreciate the guys who are here.

I feel we got to talk about them a little bit more. We have new faces and new guys who are trying to make it.

What's the best about this new particular group?(looks to his teammates on the court with a smile) I love it. First of all, it's about the national team. And I always love to play for the national team.

Something great about this group is that we're together. We're trying to stay together. No matter the outcome and no matter what comes with it, we want to stay together.

These are guys that are going to be our future. They got to step up a little bit earlier (smiles). But they got to be our future. In 5 or 6 six years, if we're going to stop.

How would you define the meaning of the national team to you personally?I will say this: I play basketball because of the national team. I fell in love with basketball because of them. I saw those guys play and the guys before.

Now, I want to do the same for the kids, whichever style of basketball they play, whether they're shooters or kids who can play multiple positions with hustle and passion.

I want to see guys who play like me. To make them believe that they can also play in the national team. That they could say that because of this guy, I could play basketball.

I get goosebumps, but apart from those compliments that you're like a great guy and so on, the best compliment I've heard is this: 'I started playing basketball and never gave up basketball because I've seen you play. Because you play so hard, you love it, and you can see from your eyes that you enjoy every moment of it.' Because it doesn't last forever.

Credit FIBA

If you were a kid today, who would be that player, aside from your brothers, who could make you fall in love with basketball?Okay, putting personal things aside...

(Thinks for few seconds.)

That's a good question. You'll need to let me think of it... Let's go with other questions, I got you.

Many were surprised by Shams Charania's report suggesting you were getting some big interest from the Knicks. Just how close were you to leaving Milwaukee for New York?Close.

Obviously, Giannis is my brother, and obviously, I love Milwaukee. I love Milwaukee. But at the same time... I want to play. You always want to play and feel important.

And at the same time, you want, like... It's just because of how I am as a player. That would be different if I were in Europe and any other team. But now it became a little bit more like, oh, okay, he's on the team because...

But I was like: you know what? No. Why would I do this?

Ultimately, I sat down with the new coach [Adrian Griffin]. During the free agency, I was off in Greece. But I sat down with the new coach and talked with him. He said he appreciates the way I play, he values my game.

You know, every coach has a different opinion of everybody. But when I picked the teams, hearing the coach and everything... I thought this was the place for me.

And obviously, the Milwaukee fanbase has been... You don't know how much I love the Bucks, their fanbase, and how the city has embraced my family for so many years. So it was kind of a no-brainer.

But at the same time, I'm an athlete, and you want to feel important. You want to feel a part of the team.

And sometimes there are other places where they want to provide you with an opportunity, just show us what you got.

What ultimately was the deal-break that you decided against moving to the Knicks?I wouldn't say it was a deal breaker...

Was there a specific conversation that had a major influence on your decision?I was in Greece all the time. So, while I was in Greece, I didn't talk about free agency...

So, only Giannis had the power to influence your choice...No, but not only Giannis... We have a great culture in Milwaukee. We have great stuff. And just with the change and everything...

Two years ago, when I hit the free agency and signed a two-year deal, many teams wanted to give me an opportunity.

And back then, I thought I was part of a winning culture and a winning team. But at the same time, I wanted an opportunity to help the team in any way that I could.

But most importantly, for the player, it is very important not to let anybody else create a narrative for you.

And if someone starts creating a narrative... No, no, no. This is not who I am. This is not what we do.

When you say"not to let anybody else create a narrative for you," what's the idea behind it?Just like you said, "Oh, everybody knows he's going to stay in Milwaukee."...

Let's say not that "everybody knows" but "expects you to stay."Exactly! It's a narrative. Why does everybody expect it? Of course, because of my brother and that we're close.

Of course, your goal is to win multiple championships together and to stay there forever. But at the same time, I play basketball to play basketball.

What happens if there come teams that need you more? What do you do then?

Let's say, for example, which I don't say is the case now, but what if someday Milwaukee says, "We're good, whatever we have, and we just got to cruise."

No! Do you think Giannis would say yes? You think Giannis stays, and they say tomorrow, ' Giannis, we're going to start tanking.'

No, Giannis already sent a message...Exactly! Exactly...

Listen, I'm very real. I don't like to hide between...

I always say I love the team, I love the fanbase, I love everything. But I want to feel important. In any job, if somebody else sees you can help his company and be a great guy for others, how do you feel about it?

If somebody says, "You can help my coach in the locker room, you can help my team by being a great guy for us with your intensity, defense, etc."

How do you feel about it? You feel important.

That's an intriguing point you brought up about narratives. How do you view the reports suggesting your NBA career is solely due to your brother? Does it genuinely bother you, or do you keep those comments as personal motivation, similar to Kyle Hines and his critics?

I have two things to say.

Everybody has their opinion. But the only time it hurts you is when it's true. If it's true, it hurts you.

But at the same time, if you know my journey... Bro, I didn't have what to eat. Who cares about an article? I didn't have anything to eat. I'm a son of immigrants.

Regarding some articles, you have to understand that sometimes it's very kind of like... We live in a very competitive space, and you kind of know what's going on.

If you're doing something good, what was the reason for that report? Who was trying to prove what?

I didn't say anything controversial. I don't do anything controversial. I just do my job and go home.

So what's the reason?

I have no clue...Exactly. Exactly. So, let's sleep on this. Let's sleep on this.

Maybe you'll see me again one day and say perhaps this was the reason...

I'll give you an example. I promise you this, bro: nobody can give you anything in life.

What if I told you: 'Hey, you're coming, you're going to play!'

One day, you'll play. The second you'll play. But at some point, you will look like you're out of place.

The point is... Have you watched me play? Have you watched the highlights? Do I look out of place?

Well, I wouldn't say so.I'm not athletic or quick? Maybe I'm not athletic enough to play there? No... Of course.

So then you realize there is another reason. And who knows what's the reason for this article? But as I would like to say to kids, it doesn't really matter. What matters is, how do you feel.

I feel great. I feel happy. I'm so proud of my brothers.

I'm also trying to be competitive outside the court, where I'm doing a lot of things. Take care of my family. My brothers. My mom. Everybody.

The only thing that sometimes makes me sad is that I wish my dad was there. That's the only thing. Nothing else.

You have bad games and good games. Obviously, you want to win the championship every year. Playoffs, whatever...

Okay, it's in the rulebook. That's what happens. That's life. You can't always be on the top.

But nothing else...

Was this mindset something you always had, or did you develop it over time?I would say through experience, through life-changing. But at the same time, also seeing what's going around me.

You have guys who immediately see something like this and feel distracted.

No, don't do that, man. Just live the life.

That's his opinion or anybody's opinion. But just embrace the feeling. Be motivated. Say, 'You know what, I got to work harder.' But nothing to prove to anybody. You have nothing to prove to anybody. It's okay to be okay with yourself.

You can't say today that I'm a defensive player and a guy who hustles and does these things. And all of a sudden, you say, okay, I'm going to score 40 points.

Because they said... Who said? There's no point. Why would you do this?

That's when you self-distracted. Because when it doesn't happen, all of a sudden, things slowly start going down.

If things go wrong against Team USA, which NBA players might try to reach out and engage in some friendly trash talk about the game?Bobby Portis! No, I'm joking (laughing).

Bobby is my brother. He's a great guy, I love him.

But we'll see what happens in Milwaukee's group chat after the game (laughs.).

Could you give us an idea of what Giannis' message might be before the game against Team USA?Just enjoy the feeling, man. Because you never get it back.

We don't do this for a long time. And people feel he said this and that, and I did or didn't do.

Just enjoy the game. Play and try to win while enjoying the process.

This court, for me, is sacred. When I step on the court, I play to win, I play to the best of my abilities, and whatever I have to give, I give.

And certainly, I enjoy it. I enjoy this feeling in my heart.

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