The reason, of course, for Giannis Antetokoumbo, who even at the greatest moment of his career wanted to send his message to all the children of the world, emphasizing that everyone must believe in their dreams until the end.
About whether he expected to experience such a moment when he first started playing basketball: "No, man, no. I started playing basketball to help my family. We were having a hard time, we went through difficult situations as children. I never thought I would be 26 years old and just play in the finals.
Only that I am in the finals I was happy. I never expected that at 26 I would have these trophies. We have come a long way. "
For the children who see him and what he represents: "I represent both my home countries, Nigeria and Greece. Many children across Africa and across Europe have set a standard for me. This success should make everyone believe in their dreams. When you are not feeling well, believe in what you are doing, keep working. I am told that I can not shoot, but tonight I shot and I am the champion. I put them on when I needed to.
I'm joking. Ή and no… Believe. I hope I give the children hope that they can do it. 8,5 years ago I did not know my next move. My mom was selling things on the streets. Now I'm at the top, I'm blessed. Even if I can never get here again, I'm fine. I am fine with what I have achieved. I hope this will give hope to everyone, will allow them to believe in their dreams ".
For his journey all these years in the NBA and his progress: "It was a big trip, I did it all. I tried everything, just to be on the floor and get here. I was not playing, I was coming off the bench, I told the administration to send me to the G-League when I was 18 years old. I played as a playmaker, then I became a leader. That's what I had to do today: do it all. To score, to get rebounds, to box out, for the people who believed in me.
For John Hamon, who believed in me and my family, who made me feel comfortable when I was alone. Congratulations to Larry Drew. For Jason Kidd, who pushed me not to shoot, but to improve other parts of my fight. And of course for coach Budenholzer. He believed me, he asked me to trust my teammates too. It was a three-year process. I did it all on and off the floor. I will continue, I will not stop. That's how I am as a character, I will not stop ".
On whether he imagined he would succeed when he signed his new contract with the Bucks: "No, man. I could not leave. There was an open job that had to be done. In the "bubble" the result was not fair. Congratulations in Miami. We came back, I felt like I was in my city. They trust me here, they did it even when we were last. I wanted to finish the season. It would be easy to go elsewhere and take championships, go to a superteam. But this is the difficult and the right way. And we did it. We did it. We did it dude ".
For Chris Middleton: "It's crazy what we did. He does not understand how much he pushes me to be great. To be great, dominant, consistent. No one else succeeds like him. There were difficult days, days when he shouted at me, because we wanted more minutes on the floor.
He was shouting at me to pass the ball to him. We are here now. We must enjoy the moment. We may not get here again, who knows? I want him to enjoy it. He led us when I was missing, he helped us when I returned. "Once we're done celebrating, Chris and I have to go back to work."
For the MVP award of the finals and the two MVP awards of the regular season: "I'm fine. You know, when I got my first MVP, they called me that everywhere. I did not want it, it was over. I had to do it again. This MVP is different now, it 's addictive. I love the playoffs, the participation in the finals. These are the moments we want to chase. We hope to do it again. "
For the challenges that Kobe Bryd had given him and the confidence of Black Mamba: "It simply came to our notice then. In the beginning it all started as a joke. I asked him to challenge me. He told me to get the MVP. I thought he was joking. When I did, it made me believe. Coby Bryant believed in me. I had to succeed, I had to work hard.
I had to work hard because people believed in me. This interests me. I do not like to disappoint people. That was the main reason I re-signed in Milwaukee. I did not want to disappoint anyone and make them believe that I am not working very hard. Do. "It's unbelievable that we got here."
For his tears after the finale of Game 6: "I was thinking all the way, all my way, what I did to get here. What my parents sacrificed for me to be here. I saw this every day, every day of my life.
This is for my mom, she worked terribly hard for me to be here. He never pressured me. This is for my dad, who sees us from above, and for my wife. Every day makes me a better person, my son cares. This is also for my brothers.
That's what I wanted so much, that's why I got it. There were people who helped me, every day. I thank my mom, my dad, Maria, my brothers and those who helped me. "
For his next goal: "The money. It's time to get paid. No, no, I'm kidding. Do you know what I want now? I want to create a time machine and go back to my rookie season and get the rookie of the year award.
Then I will have it all. Then, when I grow up, I will tell "Bad" to come off the bench, to get the award of the 6th player of the season. I'm joking. This is for my family, I dedicate it to them. We must return strong, there will be teams that will chase us in the new season ".
Source: In, gr