3 ways Giannis Antetokounmpo emulates 2020 Hall of Fame class standouts

How Giannis Antetokounmpo emulates Kobe Bryant’s work ethic

The stunning loss of Kobe Bryant nearly 16 months ago will undoubtedly loom over what will be an otherwise celebratory weekend. Even with that known, Bryant surely grew his legend with the fierce dedication he held for his craft and for the game of basketball over his 20-year career.

Little did Bryant know as he found instant stardom coming out of high school, just like Garnett, and playing for the Los Angeles Lakers that he would go on to inspire a wide-eyed Antetokounmpo as he set the stage for his rags-to-riches path in Greece.

As Bryant’s career came to a close and Antetokounmpo was on the ascension, their paths crossed with one another that went beyond the pair of games the Bucks and the Lakers had over Bryant’s final years as a player when healthy. It was after Bryant’s last game in Milwaukee where the five-time NBA champion recognized Antetokounmpo’s otherworldly potential as Aron Yohannes of Brew Hoop relayed in February of 2016:

"“I said listen man, it’s just a choice you’re going to have to make. If you want to be that great player, then you’re going to have to make certain sacrifices and go after it.” Bryant said. “He has the potential to do it. He has the physical tools, the intelligence. Now it’s just a matter of believing in himself and going after it. He has the talent to be a great player. “Times going to go by fast. You know you have the potential to be a great player and the last thing you want to do is at the end of your career look back and say ‘Oh I wish I worked harder’. Because time goes by too fast, man.”"

It served as the first of a few examples where Bryant went on to challenge Antetokounmpo into becoming the player he is today. There was the time Bryant challenged Antetokounmpo to win MVP two years before his first MVP-winning season or the valuable one-on-one time that Antetokounmpo enjoyed when working in the gym with Bryant in the summer of 2018.

Bryant alone didn’t turn Antetokounmpo into the insatiable worker that he has been throughout his career. However, the opportunities that the 26-year-old experienced to learn the secrets to Bryant’s own success has helped influence Antetokounmpo operate his own career as he’s maintained his superstardom.

The fact that Bryant stood as the biggest idol in Antetokounmpo’s basketball life made it all the more sweeter to enjoy those moments and experiences and it will surely be things that Antetokounmpo will never forget.