

He’s got a high level of understanding of what we want to do both defensively and offensively. When you understand things better, you can communicate better. “His understanding of what we want to do has grown. It’s maybe just helping teach or learn or grow in a moment. “Him just understanding how powerful and how impactful he is.

“The vocal leadership you’re seeing has been growing,” Budenholzer said.

We got to figure out a way to win and never get too high, never get too low.”īucks coach Mike Budenholzer has watched as Antetokounmpo has evolved on and off the court into the leader the Bucks have needed in their quest to end a 50-year title drought after reaching their first NBA Finals since 1974.

So I don’t really worry about the outcome. I just live with whatever outcome comes because I believe that I’m supposed to be there in that time and place. “This year, lose or win, that did not happen. I was getting too high, and maybe the loss I felt like it was the end of the world. “We played a good game, I was so happy, because you feel the intensity from the crowd, the fans cheering and all that. “One thing I’ve learned personally in the playoffs, I think early in my career I was getting too high, too low. It helped me mature and grow and become more mentally tough,” he said.
Keep it a buck like antetokoumpo how to#
I can get a lot better.”Īntetokounmpo has also learned how to manage his emotions after the Bucks had the NBA’s best record in 20 but endured playoff heartbreak, falling in 2019’s Eastern Conference finals after taking a 2-0 lead on Toronto then being upset by Miami last year. And P.J., I’ve been with him for like two or three months. “Throughout the journey, throughout my career, guys helped me, especially Khris. Tucker have encouraged him to speak out even as his skills have evolved, from Most Improved Player in 2017 when he led the NBA in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks to his MVP 20 campaigns. Teammates such as Khris Middleton and P.J. I realized I would rather say something stupid than not say nothing at all.” “But now it’s a little bit easier for me. I felt like I’ll say the wrong thing, I’ll say something stupid, so I just chose not to talk at all,” Antetokounmpo recalled Monday. “Early in my career I was really quiet and with the language barrier it was harder for me. The 26-year-old Greek forward has sparked the Bucks to a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven NBA Finals with game six on Tuesday at Milwaukee.Īntetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, has become a vocal leader on a club where he once feared to speak up after arriving from Europe in 2013. The line most certainly references Antetokounmpo’s new contract signed before his championship, which will keep him in Milwaukee through the majority of his career, all while he could have gone and played for a bigger market under brighter lights.ĭrake isn’t only including the two-time MVP in his lyrics, but Antetokounmpo’s nickname as the “Greek Freak” is popping up on Certified Lover Boy merch produced by Nike as well.MILWAUKEE, US: Overcoming a language barrier and roller-coaster playoff emotions have helped Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo move one victory shy of his dream of capturing an NBA crown. “ Don’t move like a puto / Could at least keep it a Buck like Antetokounmpo.” In one of the more immediately popular songs off his new release, “7AM On Bridle Path” - making a reference to his Toronto address - the Toronto Raptors megafan showed some recognition and skill by being able to drop a rhyme with the champion’s last name. With the glory also comes some recognition from Drake. It’s not uncommon for rappers to make sports references in their lyrics, but in “Certified Lover Boy,” Drake took it to a whole different level.Īfter the Milwaukee Bucks were crowned the 2021 NBA champions this summer, it was the season of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he finally lifted that trophy after years of dominance. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) Giannis Antetokounmpo was honoured by Drake and Kanye in the same week.
