Already ranked among the greatest basketball players in history even before the end of his career, Stephen Curry gave another glimpse of his leadership in the first round of the playoffs against the Nuggets. Back from injury, he had taken the time to find the five major by first accepting a role of 6th man so as not to upset the balance of the team.
Leader of a team that has just won its 4th title, Stephen Curry knows how to recognize players of his caliber, and for him, Giannis Antetokounmpo is part of. If the Greek rarely uses the “I”, it is quite simply because he has understood that a great champion is nothing without a great team, and therefore good teammates.
“Just from a leadership perspective, trying to make sure you keep the focus on all the positives throughout the year. There are so many debates, distractions, you know, stories that kind of get thrown in your face. Like all the different comparisons of who is the best player on the pitch, and that kind of stuff.”recalls the Warriors superstar. “But as the leader of your team, you also have to be aware of being an example and knowing how to do what you know how to do best. You have to be able to win a lot of matches and be part of the title contenders. But all of this won’t happen without a great team behind you, and I think Giannis understands that.”
Beware of the vengeful “Greek Freak”
Giannis Antetokounmpo indeed has great respect for his teammates, aware of what each can bring to the Bucks. We can cite the evolution of his relationship with Khris Middleton or the way he knows how to “caress” in the direction of the hair the “role players”, like Bobby Portis or Brook Lopez. Rather than trying to join superstars to win a title, he chose to be loyal to his lifelong team, and it was step by step that he reached the top.
For Stephen Curry, this set is part of why the Bucks won the title in 2021, and it was after this successful conquest that his respect for the “Greek Freak” increased.
“There is always this mutual respect between the players who reach the end, who lift the trophy, and who know that they will be the team to eliminate the following season”added Stephen Curry. “I’ve been in this position before and I like it. The fact that he is aware of all this shows this killer instinct, and this is what will motivate him in turn this year”.
From hunters, Stephen Curry and the Warriors will again become the “hunted” by the rest of the league, in particular the Bucks, determined to take back their trophy.
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2013-14 | MIL | 77 | 25 | 41.4 | 34.7 | 68.3 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 6.8 |
| 2014-15 | MIL | 81 | 31 | 49.1 | 15.9 | 74.1 | 1.2 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 12.7 |
| 2015-16 | MIL | 80 | 35 | 50.6 | 25.7 | 72.4 | 1.4 | 6.2 | 7.7 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 16.9 |
| 2016-17 | MIL | 80 | 36 | 52.1 | 27.2 | 77.0 | 1.8 | 7.0 | 8.8 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 22.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIL | 75 | 37 | 52.9 | 30.7 | 76.0 | 2.1 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 ★ | MIL | 72 | 33 | 57.8 | 25.6 | 72.9 | 2.2 | 10.3 | 12.5 | 5.9 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 27.7 |
| 2019-20 ★ | MIL | 63 | 30 | 55.3 | 30.4 | 63.3 | 2.2 | 11.4 | 13.6 | 5.6 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 29.5 |
| 2020-21 | MIL | 61 | 33 | 56.9 | 30.3 | 68.5 | 1.6 | 9.4 | 11.0 | 5.9 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 28.2 |
| 2021-22 | MIL | 67 | 33 | 55.3 | 29.3 | 72.2 | 2.0 | 9.6 | 11.6 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 29.9 |
| Total | 656 | 33 | 53.5 | 28.8 | 71.8 | 1.7 | 7.7 | 9.4 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 21.8 | |
