by Mirin Fader
“I can be like Kareem”: Vice Sports, “The Greek Freak Is Back for Round Two: The Cusp,” October 23, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= QGIrZ J0VnHY.
“Seeing the Greek Freak in person”: Bill Simmons, “2015 NBA Trade Value, Part 2: The Temple of Doom,” Grantland, February 25, 2015, https://grantland.com/features/2015-nba-trade-value-part-2-the-temple-of-doom/.
“On any given possession the Greek Freak”: Zach Lowe, “The 2015 Marc Gasol All-Stars: Your Guide to the Most Watchable Players in the NBA,” Grantland, March 17, 2015, https://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-2015-marc-gasol-all-stars-your-guide-to-the-most-watchable-players-in-the-nba/.
“He’s learning on the job”: Ibid.
Giannis told reporters he had played “angry”: Charles F. Gardner, “Hoping for Plenty of Face Time: Antetokounmpo Snarling at Foes,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 13, 2015.
“His ugly face”: Ibid.
“I try to be angry when I play”: Tony Manfred, “Jason Kidd Benched the ‘Greek Freak’ 5 Games Before the Playoffs with No Explanation, and It Seems Like It Worked,” Business Insider, April 14, 2015.
10. Star
Primary source interviews: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Chris Copeland, Bo Ryan, Shawn Zell, Malcolm Brogdon, Josh Oppenheimer, Tyler Ennis, Coby Karl, Yannis Psarakis, Jabari Parker, Greivis Vásquez, Sean Sweeney, Nixon Dorvilien, Jared Dudley, Michael Carter-Williams, Thon Maker, Eddie Doucette, Doug Russell, Telly Hughes, Jim Gosz, Jason Terry, Carmelo Anthony, Sterling Brown, Jim Kogutkiewicz, DeVon Jackson, Draggan Mihailovich, and Laura Dodd.
“I can do this every night”: NBA on TNT, “Finding Giannis,” February 16, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrCU305tzmM.
“I was kind of forced”: Steve Kroft, transcript of his 60 Minutes interview with Giannis, 2017.
The first playoff game Giannis had ever watched: Charles F. Gardner, “Garnett’s Voice Still Carries; Players Enjoy His Visit to Practice,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 7, 2016.
Oh shit: Jake Fischer, “To the Point: Giannis Antetokounmpo Blossoming with the Ball,” Sports Illustrated, March 8, 2016.
Kobe told him to work on: Charles F. Gardner, “Greek Feast a Triple Portion: Antetokounmpo Stars in Bryant’s Last Game Here,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 23, 2016.
Giannis vowed to shoot: Ibid.
“Be serious”: Ibid.
The importance of recovery: Ibid.
Kobe felt he had the physical tools: Fischer, “To the Point.”
Postponing the signing by four hours: Lee Jenkins, “Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Most Intriguing Point Guard in NBA History,” Sports Illustrated, January 3, 2017.
He accepted a slightly lower: Matt Bonesteel, “Giannis Antetokounmpo Gives Bucks Flexibility by Re-signing for Less Than the Max,” Washington Post, September 19, 2016.
“I just wanted to say thank you”: Jenkins, “Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Most Intriguing.”
Capital Grille: Ibid.
Steak: Ibid.
“I don’t know who’s paying”: Ibid.
Just because your bank account changes: Mirin Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo,” Bleacher Report, July 18, 2019, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2845193-the-rise-of-the-next-antetokounmpo.
First time he ever flew first-class: Adrian Wojnarowski, “Giannis Antetokounmpo on Money, Motivation, the MVP and More,” ESPN, March 28, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EmY0uxetWQ.
“We can’t be sitting”: Ibid.
Giannis wouldn’t pay if an airline charged: Ibid.
Giannis had transformed from a lanky: Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo.”
“It was like he went from ‘Oh, you might’”: Ibid.
He has still never purchased: Aaron Dodson, “The Story Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s First Nike Signature Sneaker,” Undefeated, July 12, 2019, https://theundefeated.com/features/the-story-behind-giannis-antetokounmpos-first-nike-signature-sneaker/.
“I don’t like all these flashy cities”: Marc Stein, “The Unspeakable Greatness of Giannis Antetokounmpo,” New York Times, November 3, 2017.
“Knock knock”: Genaro C. Armas, “Antetokounmpo Poised to Handle Ball, Bigger Load, for Bucks,” Associated Press, October 20, 2016.
“Obama”: Ibid.
“Ohhhhhhh-baaaaaa-myyyyseeeelf”: Ibid.
“Have you guys seen the new movie”: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Bucks Giannis Tells a Bad Joke,” September 26, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVtSHwA6RvY.
“Constipation. That’s because”: Ibid.
Dinka tribe: Howard Beck, “Thon Maker Is the Bucks’ Secret Unicorn,” Bleacher Report, February 8, 2017, https://mag.bleacherreport.com/thon-maker-bucks-unicorn/.
He was the first one in: Fader, “The Rise of theNext Antetokounmpo.”
He was more upset than anyone: Ibid.
“Remember this feeling”: Ibid.
Brogdon compared him to Kobe: Charles F. Gardner, “Thunderous Stat Stuffing,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 2, 2017.
“Really, me?”: Ibid.
“I’m not going to lie”: Ibid.
1,059 new messages: Nikos Papadojannis, “Γιάννης Αντετοκούνμπο: «Για τους δικούς μου ανθρώπους είμαι ακόμη ο Γιαννάκης»—Αποκλειστική συνέντευξη στο Documento” (“Giannis Antetokounmpo: ‘For My Own People, I Am Still Giannakis’”), Documento, February 19, 2017, https://www.documentonews.gr/article/giannhs-antetokoynmpo-gia-toys-dikoys-moy-anthrwpoys-eimai-akomh-o-giannakhs-apokleistikh-synenteyxh-sto-documento.
Stayed off his phone: Ibid.
He didn’t believe he’d be named: Charles F. Gardner, “Very Pleasant Surprise,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 21, 2017.
When he saw James: Ibid.
Veronica and Mariah showed up: Ibid.
Called to congratulate him: Ibid.
Asked him if he: Charles F. Gardner, “Ascent No Accident; Antetokounmpo Has Worked Tirelessly to Get to This Moment,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 19, 2017.
“If I get the first layup”: Ibid.
“You’re too big to be nervous”: Ibid.
“Let me take a picture first”: Charles F. Gardner, “Durant Gives Giannis All-Star Praise; He Expects Him Back Each Year,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 18, 2017.
“I expect him”: Ibid.
Durant admitted he couldn’t have predicted: Ibid.
The first thing Giannis does: Elina Dimitriadi, “Η Βερόνικα Αντετοκούνμπο μιλάει αποκλειστικά στη Vogue Greece” (“Veronica Adetokunbo Speaks Exclusively to Vogue Greece”), Vogue Greece, September 27, 2020, https://vogue.gr/living/i-veronika-antetokoynmpo-milaei-apokleistika-sti-vogue-greece/.
“I’m proud of you”: Ibid.
“He has the agility”: Scott Cacciola, “Al Horford Brings Giannis Antetokounmpo Down to Earth in Celtics’ Win,” New York Times, April 28, 2019.
He’s always nervous: Charles F. Gardner, “Too Much Excitement; Giannis with Late Technical,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 16, 2017.
“See now, this is how it feels”: Matt Velazquez, “Woes from Free Throw Line Costly; Giannis Tires Late in the Game,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 28, 2017.
“Still waiting for my challenge”: Giannis Antetokounmpo(@Giannis_An34), Twitter, August 24, 2017, https://twitter.com/Giannis_An34/status/900767397556232192.
Still saw himself as Giannakis: Papadojannis, “Γιάννης Αντετοκούνμπο: «Για τους δικούς μου ανθρώπους είμαι ακόμη ο Γιαννάκης” (“Giannis Antetokounmpo: ‘For My Own People, I Am Still Giannakis’”).
“He looked like a baby deer”: Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo.”
Top left, behind the team’s bench: Ibid.
“I [didn’t] want Alex to get nervous”: Ibid.
“Alex would [play] five times better”: Ibid.
He sometimes turned to the bleachers: Ibid.
Drove six hours: Jenkins, “Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Most Intriguing.”
“We feel like you’re too relaxed”: Mirin Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo.”
That night, Alex cried. There was no worse feeling: Ibid.
“I believed that I was better”: Ibid.
11. Loss
Primary source interviews: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Veronica Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker, Sean Sweeney, Michael Carter-Williams, Michalis Kamperidis, Jim Gosz, DeVon Jackson, Jason Terry, Steve Kroft, Draggan Mihailovich, Joe Prunty, Mike D’Antoni, Chris Rodriguez, Malcolm Brogdon, Nick Calathes, Katy Kostakis, and Favor Ukpebor.
Alex didn’t understand why: Mirin Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo,” Bleacher Report, July 18, 2019, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2845193-the-rise-of-the-next-antetokounmpo.
Drake in the car: Ibid.
“Be strong for Giannis”: Ibid.
She looked upset. So did about twenty: Ibid.
“Sorry for your loss”: Ibid.
The hell are you talking about?: Ibid.
“You remember what I told you two: Ibid.
Alex told Giannis he couldn’t make it: Ibid.
“That’s fine”: Ibid.
The grief compounded: Ibid.
“Don’t-give-a-fuck”: Eric Woodyard, “Giannis Antetokounmpo and His Brothers Have One Goal: Be Their Father’s Legacy,” ESPN, March 6, 2020.
Giannis believed nothing could hurt: EuroHoopsTV, “The Real Giannis Behind the Greek Freak—Part 3,” March 26, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWSHwD41ErA.
He kept looking at a picture: Marc Stein, “The Unspeakable Greatness of Giannis Antetokounmpo,” New York Times, November 3, 2017.
Alex remembered Charles driving him: Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo.”
His dad seemed fine. Perfect. Fine: Ibid.
“I’ll come pick you up”: Ibid.
Alex’s voice is shaky. Barely audible: Ibid.
“My dad was my best friend”: Ibid.
Alex still thinks of those words every morning: Ibid.
He sees himself asking his dad: Ibid.
“Go, Alex, go!”: Ibid.
He thinks about how his dad saw games: Ibid.
“Don’t worry about it”: Ibid.
How, in his dad’s eyes, he was never just: Ibid.
And his dad was the man he wanted to be: Ibid.
He was the one who made Thanasis: Ibid.
Grief spilled onto everything he touched: Ibid.
His dad was everywhere and nowhere: Ibid.
“We all have shoes, right?”: Ibid.
He contemplated quitting for good: Ibid.
“I’m really proud of you”: Ibid.
It hurts thinking about that moment: Ibid.
Thanasis felt like he was drowning: Nikos Papadojannis, “Θανάσης Αντετοκούνμπο: Οι μετανάστες να ξέρουν ότι είμαστε δίπλα τους!” (“Let the Immigrants Know That We Stand by Their Side”), Documento, October 13, 2019, https://www.documentonews.gr/article/oanashs-antetokoynmpo-oi-metanastes-na-xeroyn-oti-eimaste-dipla-toys.
Tattoo on his arm: Ibid.
“The father holds the hand”: Ibid.
They told Alex their dad would want him: Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo.”
“That’s the reason I probably push”: Ibid.
Mariah gave it to Giannis: Ibid.
“I am my father’s legacy” sprawled across: Ibid.
Francis was receiving interest: Giannis Georgopoulos, “Είδα σε βίντεο τον Αντετοκούνμπο, δεν υπέγραψε ακόμη στη Σπάρτη”(“I Saw Adetokunbo on Video, He Has Not Signed with Sparta Yet”), Gazzetta.gr, January 20, 2018, https://www.gazzetta.gr/football/football-league/article/1187666/eida-se-vinteo-ton-antetokoynmpo-den-ypegrapse-akomi-sti-sparti.
He was not afraid: EuroHoops TV, “The Real Giannis.”
Thanasis always imagined all the brothers: Papadojannis, “Θανάσης Αντετοκούνμπο: Οι μετανάστες να ξέρουν ότι είμαστε δίπλα τους!” (“Let the Immigrants Know That We Stand by Their Side”).
“I just want as much as possible”: Steve Kroft, transcript of his 60 Minutes interview with Giannis, 2017.
“Well, she knows now”: Ibid.
“She knows”: Ibid.
“I’m really scared of failing”: Steve Kroft, “Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ ‘Greek Freak,’” CBS, 60 Minutes, June 3, 2018.
Discouraged by his tendency to blame the Bucks’ youth: Howard Beck, “‘If You Want to Be Great, You Have to Work’: Jason Kidd Counters His Critics,” Bleacher Report, March 29, 2018, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2767171?share=email.
“Driving the team”: Ibid.
Giannis was uncomfortable: ESPN, “Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Uncomfortable’ over Jason Kidd Firing,” January 24, 2018, https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22202564/giannis-antetokounmpo-milwaukee-bucks-wished-jason-kidd-conversation-only-them.
“It’s over my imagination”: Matt Velzquez, “In Another Galaxy: Antetokounmpo Is Part of NBA’s Elite,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 18, 2018.
“This team has had more ups”: Gary D’Amato, “Two Takes on the Puzzling State of the Milwaukee Bucks,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 6, 2018.
Saying that he had to be more aggressive: Kyle Hightower, “Horford, Smart Lift Celtics over Bucks 92–87 for 3–2 Lead,” Associated Press, April 24, 2018.
“And it might take”: Tim Bontemps, “The Milwaukee Bucks Need a New Coach. They Can’t Afford to Pass on Mike Budenholzer,” Washington Post, April 29, 2018.
“I know you played like the MVP”: Jim Paschke, “Giannis One-on-One Part 1: Coach Bud & the MVP,” Milwaukee Bucks, September 22, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0_UTuGnYmA.
Giannis realized he had gone the distance: Ibid.
“It doesn’t matter if you didn’t”: Ibid.
2:30 p.m. workout at 11:00 a.m.: Ben Steele, “Antetokounmpo Not Joking Around When It Comes to Improving,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 25, 2018.
350 to 400 shots: Jim Paschke, “Giannis One-on-One: Kobe Bryant Summer Workout, Part 3,” Milwaukee Bucks, September 26, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcjdcai5wrw.
Telling him he didn’t want it to feel: Ibid.
“No, no, ask me”: Ibid.
“Are you sure?”: Ibid.
To think outside the box: Ibid.
“You always gotta be a kid”: Ibid.
“Be a kid?”: Ibid.
“No, what I mean is, a kid uses fantasy”: Ibid.
12. Identity
Primary source interviews: Konstantinos Georgousis, Nikos Zisis, Nikos Papadojannis, Felix Jantuah, Giannis Tzikas (via translator Maria Drimpa), Alexandros Trigas, Caron Butler, Myron Medcalf, Emmanuel Godwin, Etinosa Erevbenagie, Nikos Deji Odubitan, Niki Bakouli, Femi Adefeso, Luc Mbah a Moute, Boris Diaw, Draggan Mihailovich, Amadou Gallo Fall, and Luol Deng.
Vandalized with fascist: Eurohoops, “Fascist Symbols Painted on Antetokounmpo’s Court,” September 2, 2017, https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/506157/fascist-symbols-painted-antetokounmpos-court/.
“This was an organized”: Demetris Nellas, “Greek Federation Accuses Bucks of Staging Player’s Absence,” Associated Press, August 19, 2017.
“What the Bucks claim”: Matt Velazquez, “Giannis to Miss Euro Tourney; Greek Federation Alleges Conspiracy,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 20, 2017.
One of the hardest decisions: Matt Velazquez, “Parker on Mend, No Extension Yet,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 26, 2017.
The biggest disappointment: Velazquez, “Giannis to Miss Euro.”
“Enough with the Black guy”:
Theo Ioannou, “Racist and Dismissive Attack Against Yannis Antetokounmpo by Greek UCL Professor,” GreekReporter.com, November 21, 2017, https://greekreporter.com/2017/11/21/racist-and-dismissive-attack-against-yannis-antetokounmpo-by-greek-ucl-professor/.
Four other members of parliament: Liz Alderman, “Greece Arrests Senior Members of Far-Right Party,” New York Times, September 28, 2013.
Charges included membership: Niki Kitsantonis, “Trial Postponed for Greek Neo-Fascist Golden Dawn Party Members,” New York Times, April 20, 2015.
“Nothing will bend”: Alderman, “Greece Arrests Senior.”
The biggest case against fascism: Mat Nashed, “She’s Facing Off Against Neo-Nazis—in Court and on the Streets,” Ozy, October 5, 2019, https://www.ozy.com/around-the-world/shes-facing-off-against-neo-nazis-in-court-and-on-the-streets/97057/.
Winning seventeen seats: Kitsantonis, “Trial Postponed.”
He refused to sign: Gregory Pappas, “Video: Antetokounmpo Won’t Desecrate Greek Flag with His Autograph,” Pappaspost, January 15, 2017, https://www.pappaspost.com/video-antetokounmpo-wont-desecrate-greek-flag-autograph/.
Representing an entire country: Nick Metallinos, “Antetokounmpo: ‘Whatever I Do, I Have Greece Behind Me,’” Neos Kosmos, February 24, 2017, https://neoskosmos.com/en/40617/antetokounmpo-whatever-i-do-i-have-greece-behind-me/.
“Whatever I do”: Ibid.
Three-month mandatory military: Greek City Times, “NBA Players Begin Military Service in Greece,” July 14, 2016, https://greekcitytimes.com/2016/07/14/nba-players-begin-military-service-in-greece/.
Taking them to Mykonos: Eric Nehm, “Pat Connaughton’s Radiothon Recap: Thoughts of Greece, a Hopeful Owner and More,” Athletic, May 22, 2020, https://theathletic.com/1829272/2020/05/22/pat-connaughtons-radiothon-recap-greek-title-parade-dreams-a-hopeful-owner/.
“You’re not African”: Marc J. Spears, “‘The Greek Freak’ Wants to Go Back to His Nigerian Roots,” Undefeated, March 5, 2019, https://theundefeated.com/features/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-greek-freak-wants-to-go-back-to-his-nigerian-roots/.
“Akenotoumbo, Akenotounmbo”: Akis Pavlopoulos and Dimitris Hatzinikolas, “Aδωνις: Ο Ακενοτούμπο” (“Adonis Akenotumbo”), Stella Papadopoulou, December 6, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiZ84SMKwhg.