You have to be a really special NBA player for you to get noticed by Michael Jordan and that’s what the NBA great made Giannis Antetokounmpo during their rare meeting.
The two bumped into each other during NBA 75th anniversary celebration in 2021 where they were both named to the NBA 75 Greatest Player ever.
MJ was the most awaited personality that night although some reports claimed he might not grace the event because of his busy schedule.
Even the league’s greatest stars wanted a moment with him.
Antetokounmpo was one of those lucky ones.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reveals kind words from MJ
There’s not much clip of Antetokounmpo’s interaction with the Chicago Bulls legend but they did have a conversation and that left lasting imprint on the Bucks star’s mind.
Appearing in the podcast of his brother and former teammate Thanasis, the Greek Freak discussed how he was surprised to know that MJ knows him.
“I think he knew who I was, but as a kid from Greece, 27 years old, I didn’t know if he watches basketball anymore. Does he really know what I do? But the way he looked at me and said, ‘The way you play hard is inspiring.’” Antetokounmpo said.
This revelation comes a few days after Antetokounmpo referenced MJ as he sets his mentality for the first round series with the Indiana Pacers.
“Just because it’s the playoffs, you’ll become Michael Jordan — I don’t think it works that way,” he said.
“I think you have to build habits throughout the regular season, throughout every single day, week, and month that you play in the regular season, so you can prepare in the playoffs and be able to play and help your team be in a high level.”
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