Giannis adapts to life inside NBA’s bubble
Oh, to see the weird work-life balance inside the NBA's Orlando “bubble” through the eyes of the super-focused, ultra-competitive Giannis Antetokounmpo. And how much it must drive him nuts.
Routines that don't exist. Schedules that are always in flux. Hotel accommodations that teammates have compared to … dorm life. What's this ‘food' in a box, anyway?
Eh, he can handle any of that. He's lived in smaller apartments with four brothers.
But oh, look, there's LeBron. And Joel. Nurse and Lowry. Soon it will be Kawhi. And maybe James.
Sharing Antetokounmpo's hallways, his walks to dinner, his gym. His head space.
It's an awfully strange test for a guy who doesn't want to be disturbed by anyone on game day.
“I'm not into being around players because I feel … uncomfortable,” Antetokounmpo said Monday during a video conference with reporters.
Antetokounmpo already is kind of a legend for his routines. Almost no press pregame (no big deal). Usually the first out to shoot free throws at half time (no rest for the driven). Little stuff he does to make an otherwise ruthless and demanding game a little more manageable, but is really a psychological tool for blocking out everything and anyone in the way of winning.
So being surrounded – immersed – in a world with his competitors? Its enough to challenge the oldest 25year-old in the NBA who usually prefers, on the Milwaukee Bucks' road trips, to chill out in his hotel room to the point of introversion.
“You cannot just walk into court anytime you want,” Antetokounmpo
said. “We all stay in the same hotel. You're able to see the players walk around or have dinner. See the other teams' coaches. It's kind of weird. It's kind of weird.
“You want to try to be — as much as possible — respectful to the people that you're going to play against, the coaching staff of the other team. But at the end of the day, we all come here for a goal, which is to win a championship.
“I'm kind of old school. I like to stay to myself. It's kind of hard.“
But here's another thing that's admirable about Antetokounmpo: He chooses to make this an opportunity for him to grow as a player, rather than shut down, building excuses to use later.
So instead of hiding in headphones or putting his head down, instead of checking with mates to see if the coast is clear, he's going to accept this Bubblicious Life.
“I never wear headphones,” said Antetokounmpo. “I don't listen to music before games or before practice because it brings a lot of emotion to basketball. I feel like basketball should be played with no emotion.”
Antetokounmpo also said when he was 17, his Greek national team coach gave him great advice.
“He told me that whenever you're allowed in a place with a lot of players, you just got to be yourself. Keep it to yourself. Look them straight in their eyes. Just give them a nod, say hello, but be you,” said Antetokounmpo.
Imagine trying to hold together this calm and collected demeanor.
I hope some of these players are keeping journals of all this, this sad and crazy COVID-19 summer. The tell-all book could be really fun.
But what can be so great about athletics is overcoming. Adapting. Adjusting. You have to have this mindset to go with all the talent, or you'll never make it.
“I'm not going to try to change who I am. But obviously, if we can be here for three months, my goal is to be a better basketball player, be a better person living in this place,” Antetokounmpo said.
“Try to read some more books. I just want to better myself. I feel like this is an opportunity for everybody that's here to better themselves. There's not a lot of things you can do. You're in the campus. You're in your room. So personally, I'm just going to try to better myself, be a better basketball player.
“And hopefully, we can stay here for three months and when I leave here, I'm just better in general.”