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Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t comfortable resting on his laurels as one of the NBA’s most notable successes.
The 28-year-old superstar grew up poor in Athens, sale of watches and handbags to help put food on the table for his family. Now with two MVP awards, an NBA championship and a $228 million contract under his belt, Antetokounmpo says he still feels “desperate” to keep everything he has won.
In a recent interview with The Athleticthe Milwaukee Bucks star said that while he’s proud of all he’s accomplished, he tries not to stare at his trophies too often.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m watching [accomplishments from the past] stops you from going out there and running after it and being desperate,” he said. “Why I’m here is because I’m desperate.
I am scared. So I work as hard as I can, because I don’t want to lose this shit.
Antetokounmpo says knowing how far he’s come helps him continue to dominate the league and compete against players he feels are more talented than him.
“I’m not as good as Steph [Curry]. I’m not as good as [Kevin Durant]. I’m desperate. I am obsessed. I’m afraid of losing what God gave me and the life that I gave to my children, to my brothers and to my mother, you know? “, did he declare. ” I am scared. So I work as hard as I can, because I don’t want to lose this shit.”
But it’s not just fear that drives Antetokounmpo. He told Athletic that winning the championship in 2021 “was the greatest feeling of my life” because of all the work that went into it.
“I love that feeling of working eight months into the season and working your whole life through all those ups and downs,” he said. “Little things add up at this time.”
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