Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton recently joined the Dan Patrick show as a guest. In what was a very entertaining interview, Connaughton revealed what his favorite Giannis Antetokounmpo story has been over the past number of years, along with some other funny tidbits of information.
Sitting beside co-guest Will Farrell, Connaughton revealed he carries a plaid wallet in his front pocket. Farrell proceeded to count how much money was in it and revealed the Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard carries an alarmingly low amount for a big-time NBA player.
Connaughton, Ferrell, and Dan Patrick discussed everything from doing basketball clinics in New York City for his foundation, which resulted in him challenging Ferrell to play against him. They also discussed other topics from Connaughton’s buddy and former Notre Dame alum quarterback Brady Quinn to the Boston Marathon.
To say the least, the content was quite eclectic, entertaining, and informative. It was inevitable that the topic of conversation would soon transition to Giannis.
Bucks’ Pat Connaughton shares his favorite Giannis Antetokounmpo story
Connaughton and Giannis have been workout buddies and teammates on the Milwaukee Bucks since 2018, which was Connaughton’s first year on the team. When it comes to the scouting report on Giannis, Connaughton mentioned that Giannis is unstoppable even on his bad nights, when he puts up 25 points and 12 rebounds.
He credited Giannis by saying that he got to where he is today because of his work ethic and long hours in the gym. Connaughton came to Milwaukee after being let go by the Portland Trail Blazers, as he didn’t receive a qualifying offer from them.
He had signed with the Bucks as a free agent on a two-year team option veteran minimum contract. Basically, he admitted that he was just trying to “make it” at that point in time of his career, which was five years ago.
In September 2018 right before training camp, Connaughton was there for about two to three weeks playing pickup and lifting weights. For him, in order to survive and be a prominent role player in the NBA, he went to the gym at night too.
He would put up an additional 500-700 shots during these evening workouts in an attempt to improve his game. Giannis happened to walk into the gym one evening and proceeded to ask Connaughton what he was doing there.
Connaughton looked around credulously and responded by saying, “No, no…what are you doing here?” He was in disbelief to see Giannis in the gym late at night thinking to himself that Giannis was about to win his first MVP.
Giannis then said he always comes back at night as he has to get better at shooting, as this is what is going to help him be the best basketball player that he can be. Connaughton would then say that he wanted to just stay in the league, which is why he was there putting up extra shots.
To Giannis’ credit, he would then tell Connaughton that he’s never had somebody come back at night after practice that he could shoot with. He also indicated that he wanted to come back and shoot with him and do extra lifts at night.
To see the amount of work that Giannis put in at that time and to this day, Connaughton admitted that he had to do the same to become a player in the league, as well as to solidify himself and earn a second and third contract. This had a lasting effect on him at the time and still does to this day.
Giannis didn’t judge himself or compare himself to anybody else. His work ethic was a part of his DNA and still is to this day. It was and still is all about how he can be the best player he can be and how he can help the Milwaukee Bucks win.
Jokingly, Connaughton admitted that he doesn’t want to take full credit for the fact that since he came to the Bucks five years ago, Giannis has won two MVPs and one Finals MVP. Dan Patrick then joked how he likes how Connaughton is taking credit for Giannis’ greatness.
Giannis puts in the extra work and extra time without posting all of the extra work he does on social media like other superstar athletes do. To him, putting in the extra work just gets him there.
What separates him apart is continuing to do it, wanting to do it, and loving it.