By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks aspired to make it at least to the Finals in the last couple of seasons but failed to reach the series. Now, the back-to-back reigning NBA MVP wants to turn the pain and frustration from these consecutive early playoff eliminations into a weapon that can give him an extra push towards achieving the ultimate goal he has set for himself and the franchise: Winning a championship ring.
“I’m one of the most realistic people…. You got to hurt. You got to hurt to get it,” Antetokoumpo said to Frank Isola and former NBA champion Brian Scalabrine of SiriusXM.
Giannis cited the example of Michael Jordan’s multiple struggles with the Chicago Bulls until the beginning of the team’s dynasty in the 90s as a case of overcoming difficulties to get to success.
“One of the greatest players, Michael Jordan, and his team, he got to the playoffs and he got he got hurt. He got eliminated, he was disappointed. He went through the struggles. It’s going to take time.”
One of the areas that Antetokounmpo wants to improve is his performance in 5 vs. 5 situations. “I got to keep improving every day. I got to be able to play set offense. There’s a lot of things I can do better and there’s a lot of things the team can do better. Obviously the last two years we wanted to make the Finals. It’s a work in progress.”