For Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, growing up poor in Greece taught him to appreciate the little things. The leading MVP contender did not have everything before entering the NBA, so he is used to living a life of limitations and restrictions.
The circumstances for Antetokounmpo now are vastly different from the past, but the 25-year-old hasn't changed a bit. Like his room in Orlando is not the same as his spacious home, but Antetokounmpo is not one to complain.
Several players taking part in the NBA Orlando games have gone public to voice out their frustrations on what they claimed as a living condition not fit for superstars. But not The Greek Freak, whose "training" back in Greece prepared him for the not-so-ideal situations, according to ESPN.
While some NBA players, pampered by fame and fortune, appeared unprepared by the accommodations that greeted them at the Disney World Resort in Florida, Antetokounmpo remained thankful. The star even joked that his hotel room is even bigger than the cramped apartment he shared with his brothers in Greece.
"I'm in a situation where I'm extremely blessed and I cannot complain," the Milwaukee star was reported as saying.
The reigning MVP said he is just thankful that basketball is back amid the limitations imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. Things are not the same, but Antetokounmpo said he is more focused on the things he loves the most, and on top of that is play the game.
It would seem that the secret to his satisfaction is the attitude of living for the moment and looking for reasons to remain happy, and Antetokounmpo said there are lots of ways to be happy and forget about complaining.
Wealth is now part of Antetokounmpo's life, but it's obvious that the man managed to stay on the ground despite the changes that happened in the past years. Fadeaway World said it's commendable that the Bucks superstar has remained simple when many in the NBA started developing bloated egos.
For Antetokounmpo, the reason for his participation in Orlando is crystal clear. He wants to play basketball, and the desire is there to win the NBA title. And it's no secret that love of family is a chief motivator for the forward.
Some of his colleagues in the NBA thought that being spoiled a bit is okay, but for Antetokounmpo, there is no reason to complain at all as he repeats a reminder to self: He is already blessed.
However, the superstar allowed that winning his first NBA ring in bubble city would be tough given the unusual situation. Antetokounmpo can only hope that the pandemic will be over soon, and it will never happen again.
