Giannis Antetokounmpo is arguably the best basketball player in the world. While he and Stephen Curry may continue to politely bicker over who is better, we all know both men are absolutely sensational with what they can accomplish on the NBA court.
Unlike Steph, Giannis was able to expand his game by spending the summer playing EuroBasket 2022 for Greece. We’ve heard from European players like Luka Doncic talking about how the continent’s rules make it harder to play basketball and Giannis repeated the same while explaining how playing in Europe allows him to see more opportunities on the court. more open in the NBA.
“First of all, the game in Europe is much more difficult than the game in the NBA. I mean no disrespect, the talent in the NBA is obviously much higher but the space, you have a lot of lanes to drive the ball, a lot of lanes to create there, it’s just more intense, people take you all over the pitch, pass you, man to man in the last 5 seconds… It’s just more physical. I don’t know if it’s because there is less talent and you have to be more physical to catch up, it’s more difficult. Still playing there prepares me for the season… Just playing at this pace, playing a set attack and in less space, it helps me understand Now when I go to an NBA game, I feel like there’s so much space for me and for me to create for my teammates.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo takes another step forward?
When a player has already won 2 MVPs, a Finals MVP and a Defensive Player of the Year, it’s hard to see the room for improvement. However, Giannis turns 28 this season and is at his athletic peak.
The Greek star talked about reading the pitch and how European basketball makes you make better decisions due to the lack of space on the pitch. NBA rules keep defenses moving, which creates more space for players to exploit. Luka and Nikola Jokic took advantage of that and now Giannis is looking to take his IQ game to another level.
Giannis may be a perennial MVP but must wow the crowd to win the award at home for the third time in his career. Given his age, experience and what the Bucks need to win a title, another step in Giannis’ career is likely.
