The 29-year-old Greek leader of the Bucks and top scorer of the championship, spoke to Gazzetta as part of the mission to America, supported by Novibet, Official Betting Partner of the NBA in Greece and Cyprus.
I had been informed by the colleagues who permanently cover the reportage of the “deer” that Mr Giannis leaves one of the last from the Fiserv Forumbut I came so far to meet him again on American soil after 3 years, I would be stuck in the short wait.
After all, since the morning of the day we were discussing whether he would play, he had just compensated us with an extremely dominant and enjoyable performance (37 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 2 blocks with 14/21 shots and 9/11 shots ), who contributed the most to a valuable victory (129-117) of Buckswhere who would complain because he would be leaving half an hour later for his home.
The team’s record had improved to 7-9 (from 1-7 2 weeks ago), the Stags now have 5 wins in their last 6 matches, they continue to hold fate in their hands to advance to the quarter finals NBA Emirates Cup and equally important, they had just gotten a first resounding revenge for last year’s “cazo” from them Pacers.
On top of that, the back to back game that follows with them Hornets (and here there is a mood for rematch), cancel the morning training, so put in a little more time for sleep!
Perhaps we couldn’t have found a better timing to talk to the leading Greek ambassador abroad, who gave us some exclusive time, right after the established interview session he has after the matches with the reporters of Bucks.
I heard before the game that “Doc” Rivers was impatient and curious about how his team would react to such a match, based on what happened last year in the games between you and the Pacers, who dominated Milwaukee with a record 8 -3 in total…
“We played eleven matches last year?”
Five in the regular season, so you were excluded from the final of the Cup and six in the playoffs, when you were injured… The reaction, based on the victory but also the data of the result, looks very encouraging. How is it in your eyes?
“I think we played really well because Indiana is a really good team that plays with a lot of speed and we knew they were going to try to hit us in transition, but I think the defense we played in the first two 12 minutes was key in cutting them off.” the time and to impose our own pace. In the 2nd half we didn’t do as well because they scored a lot of points in the first five seconds of their attacks, but at least we didn’t let Halliburton play as freely as they did last year in the pick’n’roll, but overall we controlled the game.”
We know your motivation is always very high. This year you are given the opportunity to achieve even greater things on an individual level. For example, do you think at all about being the top scorer in the league, or do you let those accolades come like the previous ones in your career, through your team’s play and victories?
“I have played so far – I started at the age of 15 in the A’ ESKA, then B’ National, A2 and 12 years in the NBA – 16 seasons and I think 6 or 7 summers with the National team, we have 23 seasons… I have never thought of I am the top scorer! I’m not a scorer, I’m a basketball player, I always play with great motivation and I never think about such things. While I’m out on the court, I’m only thinking about how to help the team win and when I succeed, I’m happy and go back to my family and my kids.”
You gave me a nice pass… Since you said recently that your mother crosses her fingers when you shoot shots and she has hardly ever missed your matches, today (s.s.: yesterday) Thanasis was sitting in the court seats and had an awesome energy like sports fan. How do you feel about seeing him next to you and not on the court and in general, because I also see your children more and more often on the court, they participate and like it, this is also an extra motivation for you to be seen at a high level again and again champion as they begin to understand more about their dad’s sport and profession?
“Ok sure that’s true, I want kids to see me and be good, I wouldn’t want them to remember me when I’m 40 years old, but even then to be seen…”
This means you will play until you are 40…
“No it doesn’t mean that… I just want to be seen in my prime, when I can and I’m very competitive, I play with speed, I win and I’m one of the best players, that’s what I’d ideally like. But I don’t really care as long as they are healthy and happy. I can see that they really like basketball, but they are still 3 and 4 years old, so it’s too early to know if they’ll be into it. May they have good health and may I retire next year without being remembered… I forgot to answer you about Thanasis, though… I don’t like to see him… courtside, I want him to be with us.”
And one last thing… The National team lost in the Eurobasket qualifiers to Great Britain, did you see it at all?
“No, but I found out that we were winning by 17 points, then they passed us, we turned it around and we ended up losing by a point, okay… I think the guys will watch video, coach Spanoulis will prepare them for the next match and I can’t wait to see them all in the summer !”
Just see them?
“Not to be with them, see them and play with them again!”
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