Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing fewer minutes this season under first-year head coach Mike Budenholzer, and it took some time for the swingman to get used to it.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.9 minutes per game this season for the Bucks. He averaged 36.7 last season.

The Greek Freak admits he was initially “pissed” about his minutes load earlier in the season, but then he understood why Budenholzer was doing it:

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“In the beginning, it was hard because I wasn’t used to playing like 30 minutes, 31 minutes,” Antetokounmpo said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “I was used to playing the whole fourth quarter. Coming in out of halftime and playing the whole third quarter, coming out for two and a half, three minutes and then going in and finishing the game. I remember one time he pulled me in the fourth quarter with like six minutes left, I was pissed.

“I was really pissed, but then I grew up. I grew up. I realized why he was doing that. He wants me to be ready when it matters most. Like I was 23 years old when that happened, I’m giving my all to this game because this game counts. It counts. But today’s game? Did that game count? It did count. But did it actually count? No. It did not. It’s better to be playing 40 minutes a game in the playoffs when everything matters. Every possession matters. I wish I played more, but it’s insane. I play less and my numbers are way better. I don’t know how.”

Budenholzer wants to make sure Giannis Antetokounmpo is fresh for the playoffs so the Bucks can go on a deep run. Milwaukee has also been blowing teams out a lot this season, making it easier for Budenholzer to keep Antetokounmpo's minutes down.

Giannis won't have a minutes restriction during the postseason.