Giannis Antetokounmpo Explains Why He Refuses to Work Out With NBA Players

The Bucks star isn’t looking to spend any time with the competition during the offseason.

Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t looking to make any friends on the court during the offseason.

In a recent interview, the Bucks star said he plans to train with legendary former Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston soon but explained why he doesn’t work out with any players who currently play in the NBA. 

“I always compete against them so when I am on the court, I want to go as hard as I can,” Antetokounmpo said on the 48 Minutes podcast. “I feel like the moment I am around you, I become your friend because I give everything . . . I don’t know how to be, how you call it, phony. I don’t know how to be fake.”

Antetokounmpo went on to explain that if he trains and is friendly with active players, it “takes off his edge” when he plays against them during the season. 

The two-time MVP said that Olajuwon would be just the third former player he has ever worked out with. The first two were Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. 

So even if you are a retired player, it doesn’t seem like most veterans would reach Antetokounmpo’s standards as a training partner if he’s only looking to work out with first-ballot Hall of Famers.