Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Giannis unsure of 'Greek Freak' roots but loves it

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Thursday, 21 May 2020 13:29

Coming to America from Greece, as a teenager, was not always the smoothest transition for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Before "Giannis" became a household name, those who couldn't pronounce his last name, in addition to his rare freakish athletic ability and ball-handling skills at his size, often called the NBA's reigning MVP "The Greek Freak".

But as popular as the nickname has become, Antetokounmpo can't recall the first person responsible for it.

"First of all, the nickname is really good. I like it," Antetokounmpo said during his Thursday morning appearance on Capture Sports Marketing's Athletes Doing Good Radiothon with his teammate Pat Connaughton on ESPN Wisconsin.

"I don't remember the first time I heard about it, it was probably my rookie year, but I really don't know who came up with it," he continued. "I just went on the court one day and I had a like a crazy dunk or a crazy block and after that everyone started calling me the Greek Freak. So, it stuck by me, I love it and it's a cool nickname."

Although Antetokounmpo has embraced the on-court moniker, he accepts the difference between his basketball perception in comparison to his laid-back personal life. As a father to his newborn son, Liam, Antetokounmpo has learned how to turn it off and on when the time is right. But that took time while also leaning on veteran players to help him during the process.

"The most important thing is you can not lose yourself in it. There's a lot of pressure, there's a lot of things that are going to try to pull you from 'come this way, do this.' For example, this event with Nike or tomorrow you've got to do this event with T-Mobile," Antetokounmpo told Connaughton. "Like, there's so many things that you're going to have in front of you that you've got to do but you've just got to be able to balance your personal life with the Greek Freak life. Giannis and the Greek Freak are two different people. I hope that doesn't sound arrogant, I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but that's how I'm trying to think. I'm trying to think when I'm with my family, I'm with my family. Sometimes when you're the MVP, you're the leader of the team, you've got to do a photoshoot and all that you lose yourself and whenever I'm with my family, I'm myself."

Bucks general manager Jon Horst was another guest on Connaughton's Radiothon to raise funds for COVID-19 relief where he reiterated that no decisions have been made on the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season just yet. On Monday, May 11, Horst announced the reopening of the Buck's practice facility on a limited basis. Throughout the hiatus, Milwaukee has continued to operate as if the organization will continue play as they're nursing the NBA's best record (53-12) and the "Greek Freak" itching to return to the court.

"I have complete confidence that if there's a way for us to return to basketball, return to play, in a healthy and safe manner, for our players and for the public and people that would be involved that our league will figure out how to do it," Horst said. "Commissioner Silver is incredible."

Read 344 times

Soccer

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Diego Simeone's 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alave...

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a m...

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated