Giannis Antetokounmpo flees from praise. The current Finals MVP and NBA champion has no intention of living in the past. Already during the last playoffs he commented that after a game, no matter how good it is, it’s time to start over from scratch. Now, after having the best season of his career, the philosophy is exactly the same.
“Don’t call me champion. If you only hear compliments, you relax and this is something I don’t want. I can’t cheat. I am Giannis. But calling me MVP, calling me champion, calling me the best player in the world… is something that could hold me back. And I don’t want anything to stop me. I want to look forward and be better, ”he comments in statements collected by Euro Hoops before explaining his relationship with rival players.
“That’s why I don’t train with other players. I don’t want to be friends with them. If we do that and then have coffee with them … can I go to the court and use my elbow against them? Can I plug them or make a mate? If I love someone, I love him on the court too. I am fully aware of that and I do not want to put myself in this position, “he says.
The Greek Freak doesn’t want to be the prey. He understands everything he has achieved so far and the value he has, but in the same way he prefers to be left out of the discussion about who is the best player in the world; yes, he is clear about his chosen one.
“I like being the hunter. I am not the best player in the world. I’m telling you I’m not! Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis could be. I’m not. I’m still hunting the all-time greats. LeBron is still the best player in the world ”, he concludes.
(Photograph by Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
