During the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Weekend media availability, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo said something interesting.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who won the NBA Finals MVP in 2021, made a bold claim. In a press conference, he asserted that he does not watch basketball.
It’s probably not a great look for the league to have those words come out of the mouth of someone who is indisputably one of the faces of the NBA. But as he continued his quote, it became increasingly clear that it was nearly an impossible claim from Antetokounmpo.
#Giannis says he doesn't watch a lot of basketball 👀 pic.twitter.com/yc30r1RxUd
— Sports on Max (@SportsonMax) February 20, 2024
Here was the full quote (via Sports on Max):
“I just, in general, do not watch basketball. So stats, highlights, how people play, I have no idea. And I love it, you know? I love when I go to the game, I have no idea who I’m playing and what they do.”
It is fully believable that Antetokounmpo, who has a wife and three kids, doesn’t sit at home and watch NBA League Pass during his free time. He has other priorities, including raising a family.
Over several years, we have heard Antetokounmpo describe his “obsession” with basketball. That is one of the words most often used to describe his love for the game.
For him, though, perhaps he is trying to keep a balance between his life at work and his life at home. He has said as much in the past:
“We’re not talking about basketball in this house. This household, we don’t talk about basketball. You know why? Because the way my brain operates, all I think about is basketball. So I don’t need to talk more. I’m going to drive myself crazy, right? … I’m going to want to escape it. So I feel like I’m at my best when I go back to my house, I watch my shows, I focus on myself, I focus on my breathing, I focus on what I eat. So when I come here, that allows me to give 100 percent in what I do.”
That sounds like a healthy way of approaching his career, especially if he knows he gets too intense. But the idea that he just has no idea who he is playing against or what their tendencies are before he steps on the court is patently absurd.
Antetokounmpo has won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and he was selected to the NBA’s First-Team All-Defense four consecutive seasons. The responsibility of regularly guarding the best player on the other team is often his responsibility.
Even if Milwaukee’s defense isn’t as dominant as it was when Jrue Holiday was on the roster, Antetokounmpo isn’t just walking on the court and winging it against other superstars.
These things are discussed and reviewed during mandatory film sessions with the team throughout the season. So even if the eight-time NBA All-Star does not watch as many games as your typical fan, he knows who he is guarding and what they can do on the court.
You are not arguably the best team defender in the NBA without knowing what the other team does.
He must’ve hung around LeBron a lot this past weekend https://t.co/Qud7qUGUZO
— Silas P. Silas (@KennySpenceNBA) February 20, 2024
Watch this mans expression and if you think he’s saying this seriously, I’m not sure what to tell you
He’s undyingly obsessed with the game of basketball and improving his craft while also making jokes and messing around with media https://t.co/BXwWaeguMO
— Paul Henning (@brewcitypaul) February 20, 2024
Lmao he wasn’t even trying to convince us with this lie lol. https://t.co/ZxTZj9islL
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) February 20, 2024
Bro has to be trolling. No way he skipped film sessions all this time.
Going in blind. lol it’s the nba.
— Craziest Clips (@CraziestClip) February 20, 2024
Gotta be sarcasm
— President Curry. (@Curry4daW) February 20, 2024
this the dumbest lie ever https://t.co/lzB8U9jio6
— 👾 (@bennyburnerchip) February 20, 2024
He’s joking, right? https://t.co/ri4b80ry8K
— 40 Year Old Virgin (@ImNotAStatistic) February 20, 2024
Is this a bit or did Giannis seriously just admit he doesn’t study opponent tendencies? 🧐 https://t.co/MolZYCvlWc
— Hardwood Junkies (@hardwoodjunkies) February 20, 2024
LeCap at it again https://t.co/fycBrbiHct
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) February 20, 2024
This is a complete lie. Of course he studies game film and keeps up on basketball. He’s trying to play 4D chess so people think he doesn’t know what’s up and underestimate him.
— Sam Kay (@NYCSamKay) February 20, 2024
Someone taught Giannis about trolling apparently
— stayuponelove2 (@cutlets19504) February 20, 2024
This is like when he said he didn’t touch a basketball before the bubble. He is not telling the truth. https://t.co/0MsWoIaGvQ
— Hate Watcher (@BucksBurner) February 20, 2024
