• Giannis Antetokounmpo sought advice from one of the greatest big men of all time, Hakeem Olajuwon
• Olajuwon and Giannis worked out together in the offseason, with Hakeem training Giannis like he’s also done with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
• Olajuwon revealed what he feels about Giannis after their summer interactions
Giannis Antetokounmpo spent this working hard to improve his skills on the court after a shocking first-round exit in the 2023 Playoffs. He sought advice from Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the greatest centers in NBA history, who has previously helped LeBron James and Kobe Bryant unlock new facets of their game, especially in the post.
Olajuwon has now opened up on his experience of working with Giannis, showering the former two-time MVP with praise.
“It’s amazing when you see a guy like Giannis, still looking to improve and take his game to another level. That just says a lot about him, his work ethic and his determination, to be the very best he can be. I was very honored to be working with him and it was so much fun and joyful because we have the same background, his parents were from Nigeria. We discussed a lot of things, basketball and not basketball. It was very nice.”
Hakeem Olajuwon on working with Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34): “It's amazing when you see a guy like Giannis, and all of his accomplishments, still looking to improve and take his game to another level. That just says a lot about him, his work ethic and his…” pic.twitter.com/09H4j1wccQ
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) September 25, 2023
Giannis is currently evaluating his future options with two years left on his contract with the Bucks. If Giannis decides at the end of the season that he won’t re-sign, the team will likely look to offload him in a trade in the 2024 offseason instead of losing him for nothing in the 2025 offseason.
If the team can return to winning ways, Giannis will likely stay. He’s doing his part to ensure that by adding a more refined post game after working with Hakeem. But will the front office show similar urgency in improving the team? Time will tell.
Gilbert Arenas Criticized Hakeem Olajuwon For Charging $50,000 For Training Brkoen
Giannis working out with Olajuwon ended up bringing criticism from Gilbert Arenas, who tore into Hakeem for charging players $50,000 to train them.
“Nobody wants that Hakeem Olajuwon skyhook. You should be ashamed of yourself. Charging these young whippersnappers $50,000. When you came into the league in 1984, you weren’t getting $50,000 a game. You’re trying to make the money back through the youth!”
Olajuwon is one of the greatest of all time in his position. What he knows is almost priceless given the benefit it can yield for players. LeBron and Kobe have previously done the same workouts with Hakeem and have only praised the Nigerian center for what he taught them. It’s clear Giannis sees that value as well.
Olajuwon’s Former Teammate Responded To Arenas’ Comments
Ralph Sampson didn’t take kindly to the comments made by Arenas against what Hakeem has to teach the current generation. Sampson defended Hakeem by citing his incredible footwork, something which has great utility in the modern NBA still.
“Gilbert, I respect his game to whatever degree, but when you try to compare that to ‘The Dream,’ Hakeem Olajuwon, big man back in the day, the skill-set and the footwork that Hakeem had, [Arenas] needs to go back and look at some more film because I don’t think he really knows what the hell he’s talking about. You gotta understand that footwork, and the game today, is all about footwork.”
MVPs would do anything to keep improving their game, which explains why Arenas cannot relate to the value that the stars who have worked out with Hakeem get by training with him.
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