By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net;
Not long before registering a 39 points career-high to lead Milwaukee Bucks in victory over the Washington Wizards, Giannis Antetokounmpo talked about the goals of his team, his personal improvement, his role as a play-maker, the Greek national team and more.
“I am sure that by the end of the season we’ll be reach our goals: Creating a strong core and of course making it to the playoffs,” he said during an interview for the official website of the Greek Basketball Federation. “Of course we will have our ups and downs because many of us are young of age. But we are in a good path.”
In regards to who he enjoys playing against more, Giannis said, “The games with the best players in the league, like Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, excite me more. But since the goal is making it to the playoffs, our motivation as a team is powerful in every single game.”
Both Jason Kidd and the summer tournaments with the national team have played a part in the development he has within the role of a play-maker. “I’ve always liked to find the open player. Coach Kidd’s trust has definitely helped me, since he gave the ball to my hands. But also the games with the national team. Because of the rhythm in these matches, more patience and insight is needed to find a good pass, against more tight defenses, like the ones you can find in Europe.”
Speaking of the national team, what does he think about the upcoming Eurobasket? “I saw the teams we have in our Group. I’ve always believed that our primary goal in this little time we have to prepare, is creating a chemistry among us. Learning to function as ONE, a single unity. he rest will come.”
“We aren’t afraid of everyone. Even though we are theoretically the ‘new’ generational of the national team, all the guys have played in the highest level and we carry experience from many games. The motivation when you play for your country is really strong. Our responsibility is to become a TEAM.”