Giannis: “I always do my best on the pitch, some like it and some don’t, but that’s how I feed my family.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 30-point win over the Heat and then dressed up as the Hulk at a press conference for the benefit of his children. But then he got serious and said nice things about the Bucks, but also about his philosophy.

The “Greek Freak” talked about the pros and cons of the game and emphasized that even if some people don’t like it, he will always play hard and do his best on the court because that’s how he learned it.

Giannis explained in detail:

For the energy that the substitutes brought to the game against the Heat: “I feel like the second five moved the ball well and brought energy. Payne was incredible, Portis brought energy and made shots. The back five have to move the ball and get everyone involved. Botchamp was missing today and he is an important part of the defense.” , in attack he does the right thing. Our second five showed a lot of energy and that needs to continue throughout the season. We have to be a team and not individuals and carry on like that.”

For the mistakes the Bucks made along the way: “Of course, we will be a little careless every now and then. We made missed shots, we made mistakes while defensively we made some mistakes. But it will happen and we have to get through it. We won, but we didn’t have to do it that way.

The Heat make big shots, but when you’re up 20 points you have to clean up the game. Today we didn’t and I hope we learn from it. There will be games where the opponents come back into the game and we have to find ways to win. Not only were we sloppy, but the Heat were good, taking free shots and scoring.

But we can get better and we will get better. We got a good win, we picked up good habits and I hope that next time we are in the same situation we won’t make life difficult.”

About his hitting streak at the end and how it felt: “I have to trust my work. I want to take the shots. I’d rather miss two free shots than one. I really want to do them and never get carried away by them. But I will never be afraid of it. “At the shooting range, I will continue to go to the basket and then go to the shots. I’m going to follow my routine and I have to understand that even if I miss – even if I make an airball – that’s not the case. No matter, I have to go to the lane and make the shots.

For what the Heat do and they are such a tough opponent: “They just play hard. There is no secret. They just play hard. They have talented players who can shoot. They all shoot. The main thing is that they play hard and don’t give up. You can’t give them chances.”

Last year in Game 4 we were up 12 points with 70 seconds left and they turned the game around and we lost. They don’t give up, which is good for a team. If you have them in a position where you come away with 10-15 points, you have to come away with the score because they’re going to keep fighting, they’re going to make three points, they’re going to go for the offensive rebound. You shouldn’t miss the chance to clear the game with them because they will go through.”

On his thoughts on drafting Jimmy Butler and his desire to draft the best player on the Bucks’ opponent: “I feel good. I think I did a good job at times. I tried to make it difficult for him, just like every Heat player I marked. That will make me and the team better. Sometimes I have to mark.” The Heat’s best player. Opponent, lower my body in defense, chase every shot, push myself out of position. I have to play with strength.

Sometimes I think they protected me on defense. I think I’m one of the best two-way players to ever play in the NBA and I want that challenge. Sometimes I won’t be good and sometimes I will be good. I don’t feel like I should shy away from the challenge. Of course my teammates are incredible defenders, but when you go home you want to know that you gave everything you had to stop the opposing star.

In the first match I tagged Embiid, the first time I tagged him in years. This year I marked Butler, which was supposed to happen in 2021. I’m happy that the coach is giving me this challenge and hope to be able to help my teammates.”

On the question of whether Khris Middleton is the glue of the Bucks, as noted by Adrian Griffin: “With him on the field, he opens up the court. He takes his time and puts us all in our shoes. He’s a great playmaker, he talks a lot and tells us what to do, so I agree he’s our glue. That’s what we have.” a different energy with him. Parquet and I agree.”

Whether he found Hulk himself in the match inspired by his outfit: “Yes, I think, sometimes. But I do this (i.e. dressing up the Hulk) for my kids. We’re going to Toronto tomorrow, I have to do this for my kids.”

On whether there was a different energy to the game because the Heat wanted Lillard in the summer and he ended up with the Bucks: “It didn’t affect me personally. I don’t know if Lillard or the Heat thought about that. It didn’t give me any extra motivation. I’m definitely glad he’s on our team and not with them because the Heat are already a challenge and Lillard would take them to a new level like he’s doing with us now.”

That he blocked a shot from Hiro after a whistle and that Hiro clapped ironically: “He just plays hard. Maybe his applause was sarcastic, but I don’t take it personally. That’s what I do. I play hard my whole life, I do my best on the floor and sometimes people don’t like that.”

But this is how I support my family, this is how I am successful and this is how I win. I will continue to do that. Some will like it, others won’t. Hiro is a great talent, he comes from Milwaukee and I wish him all the best.”

Whether it played a role for the Bucks that they played back-to-back games and that’s why the Heat ended up winning the matchup derby: “Perhaps. But we are in good shape. It’s not the tenth game in a row this season where you’re tired. It was the third game of the season and everyone had energy. It wasn’t about fatigue, “We just have to do what we want better on the floor. We can’t let tiredness be an excuse.”