Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 30 points and 12 rebounds in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, and he did so fairly casually. With a line like that, it might surprise you to hear him say that the game itself is not really something he feels great playing in.
Antetokounmpo admitted that the more casual and relaxed pace of the All-Star Game does not work for him, and that he’s so used to going all-out that the game can actually be something of a struggle.
“All-Star Games, they are not built for me,” Antetokounmpo said, via Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “Obviously, I come out here and try to enjoy the game as much as possible, but I don’t know how not to go hard. I kind of feel terrible when I’m walking around because I always try to go full speed no matter what I do because that’s how — what type of player I am.”
Perhaps that helps explain the strong line Giannis put together in the game. He may have inadvertently outworked some of his opponents as part of his performance.
If the Milwaukee Bucks star wants to do something on All-Star Weekend where his effort would be welcomed, he seems to have the answer already.
Photo: Oct 23, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
