No matter your feelings on The Greek Freak, humility has always been something he has carried since being drafted in 2013.
He rarely complains, is always uplifting others, and has stayed loyal to of the NBA’s smallest markets. Really, there’s not much more you can ask for from a star player in terms of his mindset.
Further echoing this point is something he recently said about his need (or lack thereof) of being the best player on his team. Despiting being a 2x NBA MVP, he says being the Bucks’ best player doesn’t matter at all to him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo @ Cosmote TV just now: "If LeBron, KD, or AD want to join me in Milwaukee, i will be happy. I don't care about being number 1, or number 2, or number 3". More to follow…
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) December 1, 2020
Whether it’s LeBron, Anthony Davis, or some other big-name player, ANtetokounmpo is willing to take a back seat if it means winning a Chip. In the same interview, with Cosmote TV, he also denounced the idea of him getting upset about not winning the league’s greatest individual accolade.
Giannis Antetokounmpo @ Cosmote TV: "I will be never be mad if i lose an MVP award. 7 years ago i was playing in the second division. Come on man. I was playing in Filathlitikos, how can i lose my mind if i am not getting an MVP?"
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) December 1, 2020
Antetokounmpo has made his desire to win clear, making sure to let us know it’s what comes first on his list of priorities.
Unfortunately, winning in the postseason is one of the few areas he has fallen short. In seven seasons, his team has only been to the Conference Finals once and lost to a Raptors squad many considered inferior.
This season, with Jrue Holiday on board, they hope to break the cycle and bring home a title for the first time since 1971.
It won’t be an easy task, but their leader, and star, seems more determined and ready now than he has ever been before.
