Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo slams 'super teams,' jokes about trade request after winning NBA Finals
When asked earlier this month how he manages to keep his ego in check despite everything that he has accomplished in his NBA career, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke eloquently about what he has learned through basketball and life.
“I figured out, like, the mindset to have, that when you focus on the past, that’s your ego,” Antetokounmpo said. “‘I did this. We were able to beat this team 4-0. I did this in the past. I won that in the past.’ And when I focus on the future, it’s my pride. Like, ‘Yeah, next game, Game 5, I do this and this and this. I’m going to dominate.’ That’s your pride talking. Like, it doesn’t happen. Like, you’re right here.
“I kind of try to focus in the moment, in the present. That’s humility. That’s being humble. That’s setting no expectations, going out there and enjoying the game. Competing at a high level.”
MORE: Antetokounmpo’s Game 6 performance had NBA world buzzing
Now that Antetokounmpo has added an NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP award to his resume, the man is going to flex that ego just a little bit.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first title since 1971 on Tuesday night, totaling 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in Milwaukee’s 105-98 win over Phoenix. During his postgame media availability, the 26-year-old reflected on his decision to sign a supermax extension with the Bucks last year, and the importance of bringing a championship to Milwaukee.
