‣ Giannis Antetokounmpo described the current NBA season as his hardest ever, citing physical challenges from a procedure on his left knee and the mental and emotional toll it has taken on him.
‣ Despite the difficulties, Antetokounmpo emphasized the importance of facing adversity, maintaining his love for basketball, and striving to improve as a leader, player, and person.
‣ The frequent changes in coaching staff at Milwaukee, with four head coaches in the past seven months, have been challenging for the team, affecting the players’ adaptation to different philosophies and game plans.
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Says 2023-24 'Has Been The Hardest Season That I’ve Played'
— Hoops Wire (@WireHoops)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee’s shining star, has been on fire lately. Yet, he’s quick to admit this season’s been a beast. Before his team took down the Sixers 114-105 last Thursday, he didn’t shy away from calling it his toughest season ever.
The dude’s not just any player; we’re talking about a former back-to-back MVP here. In the latest game at the Fiserv Forum, he dropped 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists in 37 minutes. But post-game? He looked wiped.
Scoring against top teams, especially in the Eastern Conference, is no joke. This time, they faced the Sixers minus their ace, Joel Embiid. After the game, Giannis shared why this season’s been such a grind for him.
A tweet from Hoops Wire threw his words into the digital sphere: “Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Says 2023-24 ‘Has Been The Hardest Season That I’ve Played.'”
Giannis opened up to Sam Amick, saying, “Yeah, it’s … it’s … it’s hard.” He talked about the physical toll, mentioning a knee procedure he had in late June. Getting back in shape was just the start.
The past 10 months? A rollercoaster, he says. “I wasn’t myself at the start of the season,” he admitted. That’s because he hadn’t played ball until the second week of training. On top of that, the emotional and mental drain has been real.
“But,” Giannis muses, “adversity is where you grow.” He’s been pushing through, focusing on enjoying basketball, leading by example, and constantly improving.
The Bucks are sitting pretty in second place in the East, boasting a 43-24 record with 15 games left before playoffs. They’re taking a breather until Sunday, when they clash with Kevin Durant’s Suns.
Then there’s the coaching carousel in Milwaukee. Changing coaches can shake things up, but the Bucks have seen four head coaches in just seven months. It’s been a challenge for the team to keep up.
At the All-Star Weekend, Giannis opened up about the behind-the-scenes changes. “It’s hard,” he confessed, talking about adjusting to each new coach’s game plan and philosophy.
“I’m a student of the game,” Giannis stated, emphasizing his commitment to adapting and supporting his teammates through the transitions. Despite the challenges, he’s focused on doing his best for the team.
