Pat Riley found another way to describe Giannis Antetokounmpo on Thursday afternoon during the “Greek Freak”’s introductory Miami Heat news conference. The longtime Heat president deployed a metaphor that encompassed Antetokounmpo’s grandeur.
“We landed a 747,” Riley said of his blockbuster trade for the 6-foot-11, 243-pound forward, likening the two-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA Finals MVP to an iconic Boeing aircraft known for transforming travel as the world’s first twin-aisle plane.
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Riley, a two-time NBA champion executive grinning throughout what could be a monumental day in franchise history, was simply paying a compliment to the latest star he’s ushered to South Florida. Antetokounmpo took it in stride, but, about a half hour later, he alluded to it while opening up at the dais in a way that made him sound nothing like a revolutionary machine and everything like the candid human at the core of his worldwide influence.
Now 31 after a tumultuous end to a mostly inspiring 13-season run with the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo peeled back the curtain on the confluence of excitement and nerves he juggled as he navigated his transition to Miami.
“I was being a little bit vulnerable with him,” Antetokounmpo said, recounting the phone call with Riley that marked his “new beginning.”
“I was like, ‘I know you guys think I’m this big, tough beast, big plane and all this stuff. But at the end of the day, I’m human. I have my emotion.’
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“And I was like, ‘I’m scared. I’m kind of scared. This is different.’”
A deal that Riley said almost came to fruition in February, when it came down “to the midnight hour,” ultimately saw the Bucks send Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis to the Heat in June. In exchange, Miami shipped off All-Star guard Tyler Herro, center Kel’el Ware, wing Jaime Jaquez Jr., guard Kasparas Jakučionis, the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft — which the Bucks used to grab Tennessee forward Nate Ament — and future draft considerations, including two more first-round picks.
Suddenly, the swirl of rumors came to a halt, and the conjecture about Antetokounmpo’s future could enter a deep slumber. He had the opportunity to focus on turning the page in his storybook journey. He thanked the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee, both of which clearly still hold a place in his heart, even after his messy final season with the franchise.
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That said, it wasn’t until Wednesday night when Antetokounmpo arrived in Miami that it really hit him.
“Obviously, everything’s new,” he said.
Antetokounmpo joked about not liking the iguanas yet depicted his reveling in the warmth. He discussed the weirdness of entering a facility that’s unfamiliar, a building that’s seemingly a labyrinth at the moment. Eventually, he’ll have it all down, but not knowing where to go to treatment or even how to access the court is a startling change for someone who had been living the same routine from his late teens to his early 30s.
“I’m excited, though,” Antetokounmpo said.
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Antetokounmpo didn’t have to say the word explicitly. Excitement emanated from most of his answers to reporters on Thursday. He recalled watching the Heat’s “Big 3,” or “the Heatles” as they were nicknamed, as he grew into an NBA prospect. Antetokounmpo spoke of the respect he’s always had for Riley, sharing that on the road earlier in his career he even snooped around to check out Riley’s office out of curiosity.
Antetokounmpo pointed out how Heat culture is highly regarded around the NBA, admitting that he and his Bucks teammates tried to recreate it. Now in Miami, the 10-time All-Star is embracing the chance to form one of the league’s most imposing frontcourts with center Bam Adebayo, a three-time All-Star himself. Between the two of them, they have 11 NBA All-Defensive team accolades.
“They’re gnarly competitors,” two-time NBA champion head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And if we’re not defending the way that we want to, I’m sure that they’re going to let everybody know.
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“That’s how you build a great defense. You have to have your best players really taking on that challenge. And we want to build a top-flight defense. Pat always says it. Defense wins championships, and it’s true.”
A championship is what Antetokounmpo desires the most. He experienced what it’s like to reach the mountain top in 2021 when he led the Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971. After missing the playoffs this past season, the Heat are hoping to return to contender status, perhaps with the help of soon-to-be 24-year veteran LeBron James, too.
He’s another plane Miami’s trying to land, Riley said indirectly on Thursday.
With or without James, the Heat will have Antetokounmpo, whose engine is undeniable. Although his work ethic was questioned this spring, he stressed to assembled media how he’s “so driven” while acknowledging that talk is just talk.
“But I just love playing basketball,” he said. “I got on the court, I was able to talk to the coaching staff and the way they play and what they think, and I just want to be around them as much as I can, so when the time comes, and training camp comes, I’m ready.
“Not just I’m ready, I’m ready to help my teammates. I’m ready to give positive feedback to people that need it. And I’m ready for the challenge. As I said, I love pressure. I think pressure brings the best out of me. That’s what I’ve seen so far in my career. … And I think this is the right place to be.”
Antetokounmpo went one step further moments earlier in his availability.
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“One of my goals is to win another championship, and I really want to do it,” he said. “Whenever I put my mind into something, I usually accomplish it. I feel like this is the best route for me to do that.”
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