Giannis Antetokounmpo is a multi-time MVP and the best player in the NBA and the world, according to a lot of people. Antetokounmpo is a behemoth on both ends of the court, dominating ruthlessly on offense and locking the best down on defense. His all-around game has improved every season he has been in the NBA, and he’s gone from a nobody to already one of the greatest to ever play the game by the age of 27.
But despite his inspiring story and his many achievements, some still question Giannis. James Harden, when he thought he should have been winning MVPs over the Greek Freak, sort of called him out by saying it takes no skill to run and dunk as Giannis does. Gilbert Arenas caused quite a stir earlier in the offseason as well when he questioned whether Antetokounmpo is a smart basketball player and suggested that he still doesn’t understand basketball.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Explained Why Skill Isn’t The Most Important Thing For NBA Players To Have
Generally, Giannis is above responding to these things, he does his talking on the court. Although he did take a bit of a dig at Arenas, he hadn’t spoken much about this narrative surrounding his supposed lack of skill. But Antetokounmpo finally opened up on the issue while talking to the media and ended up making an excellent point about what it takes to be successful in the NBA.
GIANNIS: "It takes more than skills to be great. That's what people don't understand. You can be the most skilled person on earth & still don't make the NBA. The NBA is not about skills."
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— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 4, 2022
“It takes more than skills to be great. That’s what people don’t understand. You can be the most skillful person on Earth, and still don’t make the NBA. The NBA is not about skills. It takes way more to win. Consistency, LeBron James, 20 years in the league. When you think about LeBron, you think about consistency. He’s been great for 20 years. Think about MJ, edge! About getting better, obsession. Kobe, obsession. Steph, KD, like, it’s not just skills.
“And I can say it, I’m not the most skillful. I don’t have the bank shot, I don’t have the dribble. I believe I’m a very good passer, underrated at passing to my teammates, I think that’s my number one talent. But the thing that makes me a step further than people is the obsession and the discipline I have towards the game. Not my skills, you know?”
This is an extremely candid answer by Giannis, he has put his thoughts out there in incredible fashion. It’s evident to see that the Greek Freak is a student of the game, and understands what it takes to be the best. And no matter what criticism people have to throw at Antetokounmpo, he has the hardware to back it up that only a few players in NBA history have managed to get their hands on.
