Milwaukee Bucks: What we learned from Mike Budenholzer on The Woj Pod

Milwaukee is so lucky to have Giannis

Here’s what Budenholzer had to say on the Bucks’ young superstar:

"“He puts in the time and the work and the effort. He’s blown me away with his work ethic. We’ve joked, he’s a great problem. We may be trying to ask him to work a little bit less or trying to figure out how we can keep him where he’s feeling great and his body’s grown and his body’s feeling well going into the season. His work rate and his work ethic is just off the charts, and it’s all about wanting to be great, wanting to win, wants the team, the organization (to win). There’s a genuineness to it that unless you sit across a table from him or after a workout you’re talking with him, you feel it, and that’s what’s blown me away.”"

For as much as his skill-set and physical gifts are talked about, Giannis’ work ethic and attitude are equally impressive. Not only did the Bucks manage to stumble upon a generational talent, but they found a high-character guy who strives for greatness and works hard every day.

Secondly, Budenholzer mentioned keeping Giannis as fresh as possible, something many would like to see after he was run ragged last season under Jason Kidd.

Keeping his minutes under control and limiting him more in practice could help his ankle issues as the long 82-game regular season drags along. Fresh legs can pay significant dividends come playoffs.

Budenholzer went on to talk about just how special Giannis’ work ethic and attention to detail are:

"“He is the epitome of in the gym and putting in extra time and extra effort. Talking with our strength and conditioning coach Suki the other day, she gives him all the credit in the world and how he allots time for lifting. He doesn’t want to lift before practice because he doesn’t want to affect or be in any way tired or anything. He doesn’t want to lift after practice because he might be tired from practice, and when he does something, he does it to the nth degree, whether it be lifting or practice or player development, his work ethic is just really special.”"

All this makes sense for a guy who has gotten increasingly better in each of his five seasons. The Bucks are lucky to have such a special player.