Former NBA star Charles Barkley has urged Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to elevate his game.
Barkley gave this advice during an interview on Bill Simmons’ podcast, expressing his belief that Antetokounmpo needs to refine his basketball skills.
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“I’m not interested in the Milwaukee Bucks at all. I’m not a Milwaukee guy… I think Giannis has to get better as a basketball player, you can’t just go up and down and play 1 vs. 5 every time,” Barkley stated.
This critique echoes similar comments made by James Harden a few years ago
“I wish I could just run and be seven feet, run and just dunk, like that takes no skill at all. I gotta learn how to actually play basketball, have skill, you know?” Harden said.
Despite the criticism, Antetokounmpo posted impressive numbers last season, averaging 30.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. However, Barkley’s remarks suggest there’s room for growth in the star player’s game.
Antetokounmpo also led Greece to the quarter-final of the Paris 2024 Olympics. During the tournament, he averaged a high 25.8 points along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists in 4 games played, while shooting 67.8% from the field.
By Dotun Omisakin
Former NBA Star, Barkley Urges Antetokounmpo To Improve Game
Former NBA star Charles Barkley has urged Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to elevate his game.
Barkley gave this advice during an interview on Bill Simmons’ podcast, expressing his belief that Antetokounmpo needs to refine his basketball skills.
“I’m not interested in the Milwaukee Bucks at all. I’m not a Milwaukee guy… I think Giannis has to get better as a basketball player, you can’t just go up and down and play 1 vs. 5 every time,” Barkley stated.
This criticism echoed similar comments made by James Harden a few years ago.
“I wish I could just run and be seven feet, run and just dunk, like that takes no skill at all. I gotta learn how to actually play basketball, have skill, you know?” Harden said.
Despite the criticism, Antetokounmpo posted impressive numbers last season, averaging 30.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
However, Barkley’s remarks suggest there’s room for growth in the star player’s game.
Antetokounmpo led Greece to the quarter-final of the Paris 2024 Olympics. During the tournament, he averaged a high 25.8 points along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists in 4 games played, while shooting 67.8% from the field.
