Im accessible, they can see me. Every day that I step on the floor I always think about my dad and that motivates me and it pushed me to play hard and move forward even when my body's sore, even when I don't feel like playing, I always go and show up and Im always going to do the right thing.". Giannis rags-to-riches story inspired him, as did his determination and perseverance. Well have time for two more questions. Good. And also, do you feel like perhaps you guys have lost a little momentum now that its been a few months since youve played together now going back and resuming the season? A player like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have the complete offensive arsenal that the Bucks need. Speaker 3: (23:11) But Im just going to try to mind my business and be about myself try to self improve myself mentally and physically and just get ready for games. After receiving the award, Giannis hugged his parents, his brother Thanasis, and his agent Alex Saratsis. So yeah, I dont know what to expect when I get there, but at the end of the day I want to play basketball. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the 2nd player in NBA history with three 40-point, 10-rebound games in a single NBA Finals, joining Shaquille O'Neal in 2000. He was spotted with ice on the same knee where he had previously been treated for an ankle sprain. With all of our behaviors have changed here over the last several months, and weve been told to socially distance and steer clear of one another. Obviously Im going to see them, but theyre going to see me too so it goes both ways. But that is a skill that I've tried to, like, kind of -- how do you say it, perfect it, master it. Whats going through your mind as you get ready for this experience? That strategy allowed the Bucks to erase 2-0 deficits in the second round against Brooklyn and again in these finals. Im excited to play games. Obviously you go somewhere without your family for four months, three months and you havent played basketball for three and a half, four months. Pride and ego would have told Antetokounmpo, who had missed three consecutive clutch free throws, to grab the ball and prove to everyone that he can make them. All-Access: Team Giannis Wins the 2023 All-Star Game! So weve got to be prepared for that because I dont know if Like we play, like we travel so much, but even on the road you can bring your family. If he is going to do that, then he will have to play point guard. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. This years offseason will probably be more important than the year after. Antetokounmpo could have become a free agent this offseason and left Milwaukee like so many stars before him had done to their own small markets in pursuit of a championship. But Giannis saved his best for last. Obviously I wanted to show the people of Milwaukee and the people out there that Im here. Next question will be from Tim van Boren from WITI TV. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has a chance to win his third MVP award. What are they allowing from a safety standpoint? That's being humble. Just the bubble experience of not being with your family. Giannis Antetokounmpo's 2019 MVP speech was an inspiring moment for basketball fans everywhere. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Everybody stopped playing basketball and everybody stopped playing games. Thats how life is. The result marks the end of Greeces hopes for a European championship, as Germany capitalizes on its advantage as the host country. It's one thing to say the right thing, but it's quite another to back it up on the court. https://t.co/cT5siwkvjv. How are you going to approach walking around a campus and seeing LeBron or seeing whoever it may be as you kind of try to handle this world where youre literally living with the people youre going to compete against? Giannis Antetokounmpo: (00:02) Glad they didnt turn the lights out on you so I can ask this question. He was initially listed as doubtful for Game 1 of the Finals, but fought his way back onto the court to play in all six games. Giannis Antetokounmpo has proven that a player can go from being a good prospect to an elite superstar through sheer hard work and sacrifice. Khris Middleton has not been able to create his own shot from mid-range. We dont know much about the virus. Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players NBA history to win a regular season MVP Award, a Finals MVP Award and a Defensive Player of the Year Award. At the end of this Finals, win or lose, we're going to see some mind-boggling numbers from Antetokounmpo. Giannis Antetokounmpo EMOTIONAL SPEECH - Most Valuable Player Award - 2019 NBA Awards House of Highlights 7.83M subscribers Subscribe 194K 6.1M views 3 years ago SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & COMMENT. When I focus on the future, it's my pride: 'Yeah, next game, Game 5, I do this and this and this. Industry-leading accurate legal transcription to ensure you dont miss a statement. Stephanie Sutton: (16:32) Are we going to be able to leave the campus? The Greek Freak came out of the gates strong, scoring eight of the team's first 18 points. As a result of a previous knee injury, Antetokounmpo sat out the previous game. Yeah, I think were going to be able to play like we normally play. Like four months away from the game. Okay well pause on Eric Woodier, ESPN. What level of play do you anticipate seeing in Orlando? You cant really even practice with your teammates yet. And we all got to do our job and my job is to play basketball and go out there and support my teammate and represent the city. That play was rewarded with the MVP award, making Antetokounmpo, 24, the youngest winner since Derrick Rose in 2011. Im real excited too for the citizens to resume again. like follow February 17, 2022 1:57 pm ET . What was the second question you asked Eric? Bucks star delivers Milwaukee a title for the first time in 50 years to take home top individual honors. So Im excited and a little bit concerned too. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Sign up for the Layup Lines newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Or how have you kind of helped teammates through that whole idea of whether or not we should play or not play? Speaker 3: (06:11) Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo capped off an incredible year by being named MVP of the 2018-19 NBA season during the league's awards show on Monday night. Hi Giannis. Speaker 3: (03:37) Under these conditions, with this being one of the toughest championships, what do you think it does for not only you, but the other players to really try to execute and really go out and get a title this year? Phoenix, which had trailed by as many as 14 points, had cut the deficit to one and Devin Booker had a chance to take the lead with around 20 seconds remaining. Giannis Antetokounmpo: (16:05) Giannis Antetokounmpo: (08:37) He drove into traffic, but was stripped by Jrue Holiday. I want to thank my amazing brothers, I love you guys. Giannis Antetokounmpo: (17:19) Antetokounmpo collected 20 points in the third quarter alone to help Milwaukee rally from a 47-42 halftime deficit, though the game was still tied 77-all heading into the final period. Giannis Antetokounmpo: (23:49) I cant imagine going there for three months, I think the game is going to be played mentally a lot. Only Olajuwon (1993-94) and Jordan (1987-88) won both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. Under Title 17 U.S.C. Thanks for your time today first and foremost. They've grown from unheralded youngsters into Milwaukee legends together. Obviously you know my dad is not here with me, Antetokounmpo said through tears. He pushes me every day to be great man. | Giannis 33 Points vs. Nets | 2.28.23. As my dad told me, you know always one more but never be greedy. Speaker 3: (15:35) Congratulations Giannis! So what do you have to have in your suitcase and how do you even begin to lay out all youll need for that amount of time? A RESTful API to access Revs workforce of fast, high quality transcriptionists and captioners. But I think as we move forward, as guys get more comfortable, the level of basketball is going to get better this game. You talked about flipping the switch a little bit and competing for a title, but you also honestly talked about Mariah and Liam and probably not seeing them for most if not the entire run. Giannis Antetokounmpo: (13:12) So whats going to be the key to kind of maintain that advantage as you face some teams that you would have had that home court advantage over and now that that advantage is taken away? I feel like this year, lose or win, that did not happen. This is where ego and pride -- those nagging feelings that Antetokounmpo so eloquently described in Friday's soliloquy -- could have crept up on the two-time MVP. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/06/nba-mvp-giannis-antetokounmpo-emotional, Shaq roasted Lonzo Ball and LaVar Ball with a jaw-dropping joke at NBA Awards show, Ja Morant's alleged off-court drama and suspension, explained, Michael Jordan looking dejected over the Hornets became an instant meme, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets, live stream, channel, time, how to watch NBA this season, Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics, live stream, channel, time, how to watch NBA this season, Draymond Green's claim that European NBA players are held to different standards is completely ridiculous, 1 bettor hit an absurd NBA first-basket method parlay to turn 77 cents into $18K, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I wanted to do it here in this city. I wondered what questions or concerns you had for the league to feel safe about playing and what I mean by that is did you ask about the medical facilities down there or the staff or how frequently testing? His rare blend of size and athleticism made him the No. Dallas Mavericks Star Struggles In Playoffs And Fans Worry, LeBron James: Building A Legacy Of Empowerment And Hope Through I Promise, The Resilience Of Love: A Look At LeBron & Savannahs Timeless Relationship. While accepting the MVP at the NBA Awards, Antetokounmpo let the tears flow as he recounted all the people who helped get him to this point. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who shot 4 of 15 from the foul line Friday and is hovering at an underwhelming 58.7 percent for the season, attempted to shoot free throws on the Wells Fargo. So its going to be mental. He came into Game 5 averaging 3.6 screen assists per game in the playoffs, up from 2.8 in the regular season, according to NBA.com. That making up in some way, working with the NBA to make up that advantage, whatever that could be? Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points and the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks hit a season-high 26 3-pointers in a 139-117 win over the Orlando Magic, extending their winning streak to 16 games . MVP! Giannis Antetokounmpo is your 2019 NBA MVP, and the Milwaukee Bucks superstar found a way to endear himself even more to the basketball world with an emotional speech worthy of his play on the court. In his speech, he thanked his family for supporting him and his teammates for pushing him to be the best player he could be. I trusted this team. Two questions for you, one basketball, one more emotional. Antetokounmpo didn't let it. There are no counters. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/zYZk8777Cq, "Khris, we did it, man," he said. Antetokounmpo jumped out to defend Devin Booker off a dribble handoff, so Booker threw a lob up to DeAndre Ayton that should have tied the game. Speaker 3: (17:13) The Milwaukee Bucks didnt win the championship though. Guys are going to be rusty, youre going to see a lot of balls, people throw the ball through the stands or turnovers, youre going to see that.