Giannis Antetokounmpo hat im Interview mit der GQ give very personal insights into his soul life. The Greek Freak spoke about problems in his early days in Milwaukee, explained why it is difficult as an NBA player to seek psychological help and spoke about a very special message from LeBron James.
“When I got to Milwaukee, I was just 18 years old. I had very little experience of being just to myself. I came here and was scared. I had never felt lonely before and I was scared of it. I left back to the hotel at 8:30 pm because I was scared, “said Giannis, remembering his early days in Milwaukee.
Raised in poor conditions in Athens, he only started playing basketball at the age of twelve and was only active in the second Greek division for Filathlitikos Zografos for one year before the Bucks selected him in 15th place in the 2013 draft. For the first time in his life he left his home country and moved to the USA alone. “I was afraid of life, I was a ridiculous 18 years old. I was still a child,” explained the Greek.
“I was scared of life and then you put me on a basketball court? I was scared of the guys,” confessed Giannis. However, giving up was not an option for Giannis because he wanted to support his family with the money and enable them to have a better life. “I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t stop, I was on a mission,” said Antetokounmpo. In order to get fit for the NBA, he spent every free minute in the weight room and worked constantly on his game.
NBA: Giannis put mental problems aside
On the other hand, he simply pushed his mental problems aside. “I’ve been playing in the NBA since I was 18 and people can’t understand the pressure I’m under. Because at the end of the day I don’t just have to deliver, I also have the pressure of the big brand (Antetokounmpo is from Nike sponsored) on my shoulders, just like the pressures of my entire nation, “he said.
It was only seven years after his debut in the Association that he sought professional help for his mental problems. “I just had to talk to someone. I had problems, but nothing could stop me at the time,” he said.
The reason for his long wait was also the enormous pressure in the hyper masculine NBA world. “When we talk to sports psychologists, people refer to us as ‘soft’. We have seen this in the past. If someone says they are afraid, they are called soft. This is how it is dealt with. Therefore, it is difficult to to seek help and to talk openly with someone about it. It was extremely difficult for me too, “Antetokounmpo recalled.
NBA: Giannis raves about LeBron’s message
Giannis also gave a glimpse into his enormous collection of jerseys in his Milwaukee home. In addition to the framed jerseys of some of the legends of Nowitzki, Kobe and Co., there are also countless jerseys of current opponents in the house of the Greek freaks – even one of his supposed enemy James Harden, with whom he had often clashed on the field in the past.
“A lot of people think I have a problem with James Harden, but that’s not true,” said Giannis, raving about his other trophies. “This is from Luka Doncic, the child prodigy. This is Anthony Davis, the one from Jokic, I love his game,” Giannis continued before talking about a very special jersey.
The LeBron James jersey was the only one with a long and personal message to the 26-year-old. “To Giannis aka the Greek Freak. Keep trying to get the best out of yourself every day, brother. I love everything you represent on and off the field for this game. You have no limits,” Giannis read the message which the King crowned at the end. “That means a lot to me,” he said proudly.
Antetokounmpo has played continuously for the Milwaukee Bucks since the 2013 draft, was twice MVP (2019 & 2020) and was crowned NBA champion for the first time last year.
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