Giannis happy to be back at home

The Milwaukee Bucks held their first practice following the all-star break on Wednesday night at their downtown Sports Science Center. It was a relatively light session, aimed at getting the team back together in the gym after everyone had five days off to relax how and where they saw fit.

“It’s obviously good to be back,” head coach Joe Prunty said. “We know we’ve got a lot of games in a short amount of time right out of the gate and we’ve got to be ready. We know that (there’s) a lot of tough teams coming. I think the big thing is (being) mentally focused on what we

need to do each day, each game.”

For Giannis Antetokounmpo, who competed in the All-Star Game on Sunday in Los Angeles, the weekend wasn’t always relaxing. There are obligations that come with being an all-star, not to mention playing in the game itself.

As calm as that might be relative to the regular-season grind, it’s still a lot of activity.

“You can never come back fresher after the all-star break,” Antetokounmpo said with a smile. “I always try to do what I do, try to take care of my body, get some weights in, feel a little bit stronger and ready to push through 25 games.”

That said, this year was different for Antetokounmpo. Armed with the experience of being an all-star for the first time last season, the 23-year-old had a better sense of what to expect this time around.

He used that knowledge to better advocate for himself and keep from spreading himself too thin.

“Oh yeah, I was definitely better prepared,” he said. “I didn’t do much stuff. I talked with my people and people around me that helped me with the allstar arrangement. I told them that I didn’t want to do much this year because I want to take care of my body.

“My first year I did I couldn’t even rest, I was really, really exhausted. But I think this year I did a better job just arranging the stuff I did.”

One of the things Antetokounmpo did do, though, was pick the brains of his peers. That included a memorable conversation with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry about leadership and having fun while playing at a high level.

He also mentioned talking with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, although that conversation didn’t have as much depth to it.

“He told me I should trust the process and come play for Philly,” Antetokounmpo said with a chuckle. “That was my reaction — I just laughed.”

While coming back from the all-star break meant re-embracing Wisconsin’s February chill, Antetokounmpo wouldn’t have it any other way.

He enjoyed the opportunity to be back with his teammates and in the city he calls home as the Bucks prepare for a difficult, critical final 25 games of the season. He also appreciates the comfort of playing in a city where the spotlight isn’t as bright as Los Angeles.

“I could never see myself being out there,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s great for two, three days but it’s a little bit — things are going a little bit crazy.

“In Milwaukee — I love Milwaukee — it’s low-key. I can walk down the road, down the streets without anybody bugging me — nobody interrupts my conversation or anything. I love how quiet and calm Milwaukee is.”

Injury update: Bucks center John Henson, who missed four of Milwaukee’s final five games before the break due to a sore right hamstring, participated in practice.

“Tomorrow’s going to be the real test to see what I can do, to see whether I can go Friday (against Toronto) or take a couple more days,” Henson said.

Point guard Matthew Dellavedova, who sprained his right ankle on Feb. 4 against the Brooklyn Nets, did individual work after the practice session, including shooting and footwork drills. He has not returned to full practice yet.