By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks Adrian Griffin opened up on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Griffin, 49, feels comfortable partnering with the Freak, the uncontested leading player of the franchise. Discussing his relationship with Antetokounmpo was part of his appearance at a golf event benefiting the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation on Monday.
“Giannis and I are on the same page,” he stressed, “We have a great relationship so far and he’s been just pleasant to get to know. He wants to win and I want to win and it’s that simple. So I respect him. I respect what he’s accomplished in this league and we’re here together to win. So I have no problem with that. I think it’s a great partnership. We’re going to lead the team together. When he leads, the others will follow, so I think it’s great.”
Antetokounmpo, 28, recently revealed potential future objections to re-signing with the Bucks. His concerns were connected to contending for the NBA championship.
“We’re aligned. We’re here to win,” was Griffin’s response furthering on them being on the same page, “And the one thing I talked to my team and our staff about is just embracing expectations. I have a really good roster. Instead of running from it, we want to embrace it. It just takes one day at a time though. Yes, we want to go far and deep into April, May and June but it’s about just one step at a time and taking care of our controllables and it starts with practice. We want to be a really good practice team, come in with great energy and concentration and then get ready for the first game. We’re all aligned and I think it’s a good thing. The expectations are good. It’s going to bring the best out of us.”
Enter the training camp, plus baby girl
Approaching the 2023 NBA Preseason, Griffin expects both Giannis and Khris Middleton to be healthy at the top of the training camp. Both underwent knee surgeries during the offseason.
“They’ve been working their butts off in the gym every day and just grinding. I think the most important thing is to just take it day by day. That’s what they’re doing,” mentioned the Bucks play-caller confirming projections, “It’s been terrific.”
Besides getting ready for the next NBA Regular Season, Antetokounmpo is also preparing for a new addition to his family. Longtime partner Mariah Riddlesperger is expecting a baby girl, after giving birth to two boys in 2020 and 2021.
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