By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in another preseason game, but Giannis Antetokounmpo managed to record a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
During certain parts of the game, he even played as a center for the Bucks, which he doesn’t mind and has some experience in.
“It’s preseason, you do the best you can. I can play at three, four, at five, I can bring the ball down. It’s preseason, you can make mistakes, try things, see what works and what doesn’t. I believe I can play at five, although it is not my natural position. Sometimes it’s hard to compete close to the basket all the time instead of creating situations. But sometimes you have to do things that will help the team. I have played in big games in the center position. I have played in this position in friendlies as well,” Antetokounmpo said.
It seems we could see him again during the season playing as a center for the Bucks.
“In the future I will play more at the five. I’ve seen this when we didn’t have Lopez and Portis. When they are missing, our work becomes difficult, but we found solutions then and we will find them now.”
Giannis admits he’s still not in the right shape after last summer’s surgery, which kept him off the Greece roster for the FIBA World Cup.
“I don’t know how I look, but I’m rusty. Heavy. Last time I played in the playoffs with the Heat, I wasn’t healthy. I had surgery over the summer and couldn’t train all offseason. Three weeks ago I got the medical okay and just two weeks ago I was allowed to start running.”
He’s not concerned and assures he will catch the rhythm in time.
“I feel like I expect a lot from myself sometimes and I’m hard on myself, but it will take time. I will have good and bad games, I will make mistakes, but little by little I will find a rhythm, I will go where I want, in the places that are comfortable for me on the floor,” Giannis said. “I don’t judge the game by the points I score, but by how I feel, how I create for my teammates, how I move in defense. I’m not where I want to be at the moment, but we have one more friendly on Friday. During the year I will have the opportunity to become better in every game and I will become better, hoping that I will help my team to be successful.“