Skip to main content

Through all the tumult the Milwaukee Bucks have gone through this season—the coaching and personnel changes—superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has remained the team’s constant source of strength and optimism. As the Bucks work toward achieving their goal of winning another NBA championship, Giannis knows this is a rare opportunity that cannot be taken for granted.

Keep on pushing

The Greek Freak also acknowledged the challenges they have faced this season, from firing their head coach midway through the year to trading away core guys to injuries sidelining rotation players. But through it all, the Bucks have managed to stay afloat and remain one of the top teams in the league.

“We can start from f—— ownership, changed. Coach, changed. Coach, changed again. Star players, changed. From Khris being in and out. Like so much f—— s—. It’s just up and down. Up and down. So many things changing, man. But we got to stay together,” Giannis said in a talk with The Athletic.

Giannis is already taking the lion’s share of responsibilities, averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and a career-high 6.4 assists per game. However, he admitted he can do more if the need arises.

“Personally, I have to keep on pushing. If I have to talk more in the film sessions like I’ve been doing all year, if I have to f—ing grab the f—ing board and write something down — if I don’t, I don’t know — but you cannot just let opportunities like this go to waste.”

No regrets

Milwaukee has all the talent needed to emerge as the last team standing this season. Although the Bucks have struggled to make it work at times, Giannis emphasized they have to keep pushing and not let any opportunities go to waste.

“I feel like I don’t want to look back and be like, ‘Damn, I had some great teams and I wasn’t able to get over the hump.’ We have to stop feeling bad about ourselves. I’m tired of this. We have to stop doing that,” Giannis said.

“Things are not going to be given to us. We have to go and take it. Like I’ve played with guys that never felt bad about themselves. Came in, did their job, went home, did their job, went home, did their job. That’s what we have to do. We’re not doing it right now, but hopefully, we can do it.”