By Giannis Antetokounmpo/ Follow @G_ante34
They represent the future, the indefinable basketball “ceiling”, and there is the right blend (the main body, the right coach, an administration with a vision, a project for a new arena under development) for big things.
Whatever applies to the organization applies to Giannis too. Boundless talent, great prospects, athletic features that the sport has not seen in any player that looks at the world from 6ft.11.
Giannis is getting ready for the first playoffs of his career and writes on his official blog on Eurohoops. Enjoy him and take part in his joy and his eagerness!
Soon there will be a competition up and running and the winner will receive a T-Shirt signed by the man himself!
“No one was expecting this”
This season turned out much better and our main secret is that we are playing a lot harder. That’s where our improved record is attributed. Our main goal from day one was to be good at defense. The numbers prove that we have one of the best defenses in the NBA. There are guys like John Henson, Michael Carter-Williams and myself that are big with long limbs. Khris Middleton too.
The goal was to get into the playoffs and we made it! Now we want to go as far as we can… Which will depend on how determined we’re going to be to make sacrifices every night on the court. When the season started no one expected that the Bucks would reach the playoffs. That was our main goal. And we achieved it! This satisfies us but does not appease us. It creates an even bigger motivation and energy to keep fighting.
“The coaching staff the best I’ve experienced”
I am very satisfied and it was shown that we are, above all, a team that fights together. Jabari Parker’s injury came and that was a great blow for us. We responded in the right way, we didn’t back down and other guys stepped up.
The new guys that have arrived are already adjusting, they’re contributing and they’ve understood what their role is. The coaching staff is excellent. They do a tremendous job. The way they function is the best thing I’ve experienced so far in my career in the NBA. The way they work before each game, the scouting that they do. They talk to us, provide us with a lot of information. After the games, even on the plane, the work goes on, it never stops.
Each morning they prepare individually for the day’s program. Since Jason Kidd arrived in Milwaukee things have changed completely. We’ve all taken this extremely seriously. We have realized that there is something good for us here. We can build something great in 2 or 3 years.
“Big Five”
My opinion regarding the way the trades were conducted is that the Bucks handled it very well and smartly, with regard to the future. Michael Carter-Williams, Jabari Parker and myself are young players that are trying very hard to be better.
Jabari was injured and missed the season, but I see how hard he works every day. He does his treatment, everything he’s supposed to be doing and he is always close to the team. He gives us advice and actively participates in the effort. Williams is a team player, who puts the group above everything. If we keep working like this and we sustain the requisite level of hunger and drive, we can build something really good.
There are more guys that offer quality and who add to the group dynamics. John Henson is very important for us. Khris Middleton, who is playing amazingly well, on a different level of basketball! The veterans, who were all invaluable in our effort to get into the playoffs.
I mention characteristic examples, but everyone is valuable in the way the team functions. I think Milwaukee doesn’t want to imitate other teams’ model where they rely on 2 or 3 players and expect everything from them.
We are capable of putting together a team that will have 5 top class players, maybe even more! Who will play for one another and all together for the team! The Atlanta Hawks have achieved something like this this year, and they are playing amazing basketball.