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Giannis Antetokounmpo still recalls the first time he matched up against Carmelo Anthony. On Thursday night, his Milwaukee Bucks were able to get past the Portland Trail Blazers, Anthony's new team after a year-long absence from the NBA, but back in Dec. 18, 2013, Antetokounmpo was not The Greek Freak, but a talented player trying to find his footing in the league.
“I remember that game like it was yesterday,” Antetokounmpo told Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “It was the first game that my family came and watched, so I was really excited. I was trash talking. I was getting into ‘Melo.”
It was Antetokounmpo's first year in the league and Anthony was coming off winning his first scoring crown, scoring 28.7 points per game in 2012-13.
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“I probably sh*t my pants,” Antetokounmpo admitted. “I was going against ‘Melo, but I was really happy my family was in the crowd. Always when I see my little brothers – it was Kostas, Alex, and my parents – I always try to show them the right example. No matter who you face, leave everything on the court, give your all.”
Now the roles are reversed, as it's the 35-year-old Anthony trying to find his place in the league and hoping to fit in with the Blazers after being away from the NBA hardwood for more than a year while Antetokounmpo is coming off an MVP season, looking to improve even more at the ripe age of 24.
