Giannis relishes pressure

Photo by: Tristan Tamayo /Inquirer.net

The current trend of superstars changing teams in the NBA has only fueled Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo to work harder on his game as he tries to lead the Milwaukee Bucks deeper in the playoffs next season.

“I’m just staying on one corner, working on getting better every day,” was the curt reply of the man called the “Greek Freak” in reaction to NBA free agency that saw several stars, including Paul George, moving away from the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo is in Manila for “The Greek Freak Invades Manila” produced by King Bally Entertainment, which also donated a fully refurbished basketball court to the campus of Makati Science High School.

The 7-foot Antetokounmpo mindset has worked wonders the past season when he jacked up his numbers on all statistical categories, earning Most Improved Player honors in his fourth season in the league.

Golden State star Kevin Durant was among those who have tipped Antetokounmpo as a future MVP of the league.

“It won’t matter if you don’t put in the work,” he said in an interview with the Inquirer at Fairmont Hotel in Makati on Sunday. “I get comments from LeBron (James) and Steph Curry about my game. I put pressure on myself to work harder.”

Antetokounmpo is the son of Nigerian immigrants.