‘I worked all summer with coach Spanoulis on shooting, I’m used to fouls from the games with my brothers’

Giannis Antetokounmpo was impressive in the Bucks’ win over the Pistons, scoring 59 points. The Greek Freak addressed his improvement in shooting and explained that he worked on it with Vassilis Spanoulis over the summer.

Asked about Stewart’s harsh unsportsmanlike foul, he noted – with a touch of humor – that he’s used to being grabbed from the back and thrown to the ground since playing with his brothers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s statements:

For the shots he takes in the matches and the shots: “I’m never afraid to go for the shots, even when I miss. But when you’re hitting and hitting mid-range shots, you find a better rhythm. Last year I didn’t trust the mid-range shot a lot and that didn’t help me. I putts I think 33 or 38 the whole season, something like that, but now in the first 11 games I’ve already put up 28-29. It’s something I’ve been working on all summer with coach Spanoulis and another guy I’m working with now. I feel like I can make those shots , some days they will enter, others not”.

On Stewart’s dangerous tagging and unsportsmanlikeness: “I don’t mind at all. I’m used to being hit and knocked down by my brothers, especially Thanasis. All I had in mind was to make the shots. But it wasn’t a basketball move, it was dangerous, the referees did well and sent him off”.

On the presence of his mother on the field: “I’m very happy. Since she came to the USA in 2014, whenever she’s here she comes to every game, she’s by my side and supports me. I love her to death. I’m who I am because of her and everything I do, on and off the court, it’s for her.”