- Giannis Antetokounmpo had announced he’d be training with Hakeem Olajuwon this offseason
- Giannis and Hakeem have now linked up for their workouts
- Many greats of the game have worked out with Olajuwon in the past
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s training sessions with the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon have now commenced. Antetokounpo had stated he would be training with Olajuwon this offseason, and a clip of them linking up has gone viral on social media.
Giannis Antetokounmpo @Giannis_An34 putting in work with @UHouston GREAT Hakeem Olajuwon @DR34M #ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/iieM94NKpE
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) September 23, 2023
This is the third time that Antetokounmpo has worked out with a Hall of Famer, with Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant being the first two. You have to admire the fact that Giannis, who has a title, a Finals MVP, and two MVPs, wants to keep adding to his game.
The 28-year-old averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game last season, but is still not satisfied. Antetokounpo desperately wants to win another title and is willing to do whatever it takes to help him get it.
Olajuwon is certainly the man to go if Giannis wants to improve his back-to-the-basket game. The Houston Rockets icon dominated in the post at his peak with his incredible arsenal of moves and footwork.
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Kevin Garnett are just some of the big names who have worked out with Olajuwon in the past. While none of them became as great as Hakeem was in terms of post moves and footwork, you could see the growth in their game after working out with him.
Gilbert Arenas Is Not A Fan Of Antetokounmpo Working Out With Olajuwon
While Giannis has received a lot of praise for this decision, Gilbert Arenas is not a fan of it, as he doesn’t believe it’s worth it. Arenas roasted Olajuwon for charging $50,000 for workouts, as he stated that the 60-year-old should be ashamed of that.
Arenas says he can teach Giannis the same things that Olajuwon would and he’d charge less. Arenas went on to rant about how Hakeem wouldn’t be teaching any of the moves that have been developed after his retirement and stated that Antetokounmpo doesn’t need to learn his old moves.
It was a bizarre rant and understandably, he has received some pushback. Ralph Sampson blasted Arenas for attacking Olajuwon and stated that today’s game is all about the footwork. Eddie Johnson, meanwhile, explained that Giannis should spend $50,000 to train with Olajuwon, as it would help him extend his career and earn more than what he’s spending here.
2023-24 Is A Big Season For Antetokounmpo And The Bucks
It would appear that there is a real chance that the 2023-24 season might be Antetokounmpo’s last as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis hinted at a potential breakup with the Bucks recently, as he stated if there is a better situation for him to win a championship, then he has to go for it.
The seven-time All-Star has a contract that runs through 2024-25, after which he has a player option worth $51.9 million for 2025-26. If the Bucks, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2023 playoffs, have another disappointing campaign, Giannis is probably going to ask out.
If it does happen, then the Bucks have to trade him, as they cannot take the risk of him leaving for nothing in 2025. In an ideal world, of course, Milwaukee goes on a deep playoff run and he re-signs next year and to be fair, there is a good chance that happens, provided Giannis doesn’t get hurt as he did this past season.
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