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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo says Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant wasn't just his idol, but this whole generation’s idol.
Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on Lakers’ Kobe Bryant: “He was my idol. Not just my idol, the whole generation’s idol. He was our Michael Jordan. He gave back to the game. A lot of people when they’re so great don’t do that. Talent is worthless if you don’t share it & he shared.” pic.twitter.com/pV7osR8T6B
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 15, 2020
Antetokounmpo and Bryant were very close off the court. Giannis worked out with Bryant during the summer of 2018. Whatever tips Kobe gave Antetokounmpo obviously worked, as Giannis won the 2019 MVP award and guided the Bucks to the best record in the NBA.
Antetokounmpo thanked Bryant in his speech accepting the award, which Kobe himself won in 2008.
Kobe said last season Giannis was “just scratching the surface.” The death of Bryant has had a big impact on Antetokounmpo and it’s not a stretch to say that Giannis, and many other stars, are going to dedicate the rest of the season to Kobe.
With the Bucks holding the best record in the NBA again, Antetokounmpo has a really good shot of winning his second straight MVP award. He's averaging 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists on the season while shooting 54.9 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from beyond the arc and 61.4 percent from the free-throw line.
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Like Bryant was, Giannis is a global icon. While he was at the free-throw line in Paris, Antetokounmpo got “MVP” chants.
Giannis is one of the best basketball players in the world and figures to dominate the NBA for years to come assuming he stays healthy.
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