International basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, affectionately known as the “Greek Freak,” opened up about an emotional reunion with his former Milwaukee Bucks coach, Mike Budenholzer, now head coach of the Phoenix Suns.
The heartfelt moment came after a tight 108-106 loss for the Bucks against the Suns on the road, in a game that showcased both competitive spirit and personal connection.
Speaking to the media after the game, Antetokounmpo reflected on the Bucks’ performance and their goals for the remaining NBA regular season games, while also sharing details of his touching encounter with Budenholzer. “Of course I had the chance [to see him],” Giannis said. “We talked a bit about life, cried a little, hugged each other. But I really wanted to beat him today—yet he got the better of me.”
The two-time NBA MVP expressed mixed emotions about the defeat but remained optimistic about his team’s direction. “We have one of the best coaches in the NBA, we have Dame [Damian Lillard], and we have a lot of guys who can execute plays,” he said. “We need to stay calm and make the best play possible. We did that about 29 or 25 seconds before the end, but then we had a bad possession. We could’ve taken a one-point lead, but we didn’t. We had a chance to send it to overtime, but we didn’t. We could’ve won the game, but we didn’t.”
Despite the loss, Giannis praised his teammates’ effort. “We played great basketball for 48 minutes. Everyone stepped on the court, fought, played with physicality, and got some steals. Sure, we could’ve done better on rebounds, but we battled. Leaving this game, you feel kind of happy because you’re heading in the right direction.”
Looking ahead, with 11 games left in the regular season, Antetokounmpo emphasised the importance of defense and team mentality over offensive firepower. “I don’t really care about our offense because we can score and win games. It’s about defense—that’s who this group is. We have time to figure out how to play together. I’m not stressed about scoring. As a team, we need to focus, have the right mindset, and fight for 48 minutes. That’s the only way we’ll have a chance.”
He continued, “We’re a great team with depth. We play fast, we have guys who can score, but we need to put it all together and be winners and fighters. There’ll be days we score and days we don’t. It won’t always be pretty—we’ve won playoff series like beating Brooklyn on the road 86-83. That’s not a beautiful game to watch, but we’ve also won with 120 points. This team can seize a game, be tough, and keep fighting.”
For Greek fans worldwide, Giannis remains a source of pride, blending raw talent with humility. His emotional exchange with Budenholzer—a coach who led him to an NBA championship in 2021—underscored the deep bonds forged in his career. Though the Bucks fell short this time, Antetokounmpo’s focus on growth and resilience promises more thrilling moments as the season unfolds.