The Toronto Raptors have taught many lessons throughout these NBA Playoffs, but there hasn't been a more attentive student than Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been obsessed with his self-improvement since losing four in a row in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Antetokounmpo has always been a ruthless competitor and unafraid to learn from his failures and mistakes, and this one is no exception. He acknowledged just how difficult it was to operate against the Raptors:

“Whatever I thought Boston did to build a wall, that was nothing,” Antetokounmpo told Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “Not being able to operate from nowhere. Go to the post, double-team. Go to the other side of the post, double-team. Go to the nail, three guys and a guy waiting behind. Not being able to operate and only being able to get to the free-throw line and get easy ones in transition.

“There are so many things I thought were tough in the regular season, they’re not.”

The Greek Freak specifically mentioned Marc Gasol and Kawhi Leonard, even thanking them for helping him become a better player by going through these trials and tribulations:

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“Now, every day in my head, I’m seeing Gasol double-team me,” Antetokounmpo said. “You think I’m joking, but I’m not. I’m not seeing anybody else. I don’t care who’s guarding me. Give me a name. Thaddeus Young. All I’m seeing is Kawhi, Gasol coming because I know that. When I get to that situation, it might not be them. It might be (Joel) Embiid. Ben Simmons guarding me, Embiid double- teaming, but that’s what I’m seeing now. That’s what I feel like I have to do better.”

“And, thank you. Thank you, because Gasol and Kawhi made me a better player. I’m not trying to be sarcastic. I’m being honest. They’re going to push me to be better. You gotta use this year as motivation. You cannot just come here and mope around.”

Antetokounmpo is among the most confident yet humble players in the league — a rare combination in terms of a basketball player, but one that can ultimately prove the key to his greatness as he evolves into his peak.