I’m back with my second article of the day from Milwaukee Bucks Media Day. If you missed my takeaways from the press conferences of Governor Wes Edens, General Manager Jon Horst, and Head Coach Doc Rivers, make sure to head on over here first to read about the latest from those. In this one, I’ll be bringing you the most noteworthy moments from what might be the new big three (this time, literally big) of the Bucks in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and Bobby Portis.
We’ll start with Giannis,
who—if you missed it—couldn’t make today’s festivities due to contracting COVID-19 while in Greece. He joined the present media via Zoom and talked about his disappointment in missing the start of training camp:
“I’m definitely disappointed, I’m bumbed out that I’m not able to be there with the team. As a leader, I don’t feel good about it, but at the end of the day, this is life. Things like this, you don’t know when it’s going to happen, and how it’s going to happen. Right now, I am definitely bummed that I’m not able to be there day one and for the team to feel my presence and feel my seriousness, and how much I want to compete, and for us to have a great year. But at the end of the day, I think they will understand, and if I’m not there today, I’ll be there in a few days, and we’ll get the ball rolling.”
When asked about the meeting he had with Edens in June, Giannis, at least at this moment in time, said he couldn’t recall that meeting:
Eric Nehm of The Athletic asked, in a pivot off Giannis not remembering the meeting, about what allows him to keep believing that this team is the place for him to win championships:
“I believe in my teammates, that’s pretty much it. I believe in the people around me, I believe in my teammates, I believe in the moves that they make (referring to the front office), we’re young, and hopefully we can get on the same page.”
Giannis was asked about his thoughts on the new NBA All-Star game format, where it would have two U.S. teams and then a team comprised of the best international players from the rest of the world:
Of course, Giannis commented on the moves to waive and stretch Damian Lillard, which allowed them to bring in Myles Turner as the new Robin to Giannis’ Batman:
“For me, they are two different moves. Starting with Myles, he was one of the bigs that I feel like we could fit so well together, I think he gives our team so much depth as one of the best bigs in the league. He can shoot, take you off the dribble, he’s a great defender, after that he’s an unbelievable guy in the locker room, very high character guy, so I’m very excited for him, and it’s an incredible move by the Bucks.”
“Dame, I still have a great relationship with him and will always have a great relationship with him. I understand the business side, we had a conversation, but I would like to keep it between me and him. He understands it, I think he’s in a very happy place right now, back home in Portland with a team he played a lot of years with. Going back is such a good move for him and his family, to be around his family, to be around people that love him, so I’m very happy for him. My friendship with him will be bigger than basketball.”
Over the summer, Giannis went back to Europe to play with Greece in the EuroBasket tournament, looking to help Greece medal for the first time since 2009. He did just that, leading Hellas to a bronze medal in a third-place match win over Finland. Giannis talked about what that meant to him today:
“Representing your national team, it’s one of the biggest honors you can receive. For our national team, we had so many years where we didn’t medal, in the history of our national team I think we’ve had six medals, so you can understand how important it is to bring back a medal to the country is. It’s something that, when you play a World Cup game or in the semifinals the whole country stops what they’re doing to watch the game, everybody supports the national team. The first time I really watched basketball was 2005 or ‘06, when the national team beat the USA team. They inspired me that maybe I could play on the national team one day, maybe I can be one of those guys. It’s one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, it was one of the things I wanted to do; I’m happy I did it.”
One other offseason move of note that was very relevant to Giannis was bringing back his older brother Thanasis on a one-year deal. It’s safe to say he is very happy to have him back (officially) on the team.
Before going to bed after spending 20 minutes with the assembled media, Giannis once again addressed the offseason rumors about whether or not he would leave Milwaukee:
The big ticket free agent signing in Myles Turner was up next, and he started out his presser by talking about what his new outlook is being in a new place for the first time in 10 years:
“I’m embracing change, embracing this cool part of my career, entering my prime at 29 years old and my 11th season. I’m in a city now that wants to celebrate me, they’ve been nothing but welcoming and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Turner talked about how he can help the Bucks get back to their more aggressive style of defense:
“The rim protection is going to be what it is, but different pick-and-roll coverages. I’m not necessarily a drop big. I am someone who is a little bit more aggressive at the point of attack, someone who can get out and attack the ball a little bit more and at times switch out and defender on the perimeter as well”
After Turner, his backup, Bobby Portis, came in. While they were switching out, Turner started a mini “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby” chant. Portis joked about his relationship with Turner, and he talked about how excited he is to play with Turner and Giannis:
Bobby also talked about the leadership role he now plays, as he heads into his age-31 season:
“I got a different outlook on what was next for us, and what’s next for us is me being a leader, being able to step up and help coach the young guys. I’ve always been a leader, I think now (I’m) just at the forefront of it where guys are really receptive of it and really hone in [on] what I’m saying.”
Turner wasn’t the only free agent singing who spoke today, with Amir Coffey, Cole Anthony, and the returning Gary Trent Jr. They didn’t have much to say, but there were still some interesting nuggets from this trio. Trent was the first of the three to go, and he talked about his process in returning to the Bucks for at least another season:
Coffey talked about how not only could he help maximize the Bucks and Giannis, but how Giannis could maximize his skillset:
“He’s a star, he’s a great player, he’s a force for other teams. I feel like day in and day out, he’s gonna bring what he brings and [the team is] putting players around him that can emphasize that. Floor spacers, defenders; having guys that can elevate his game makes the team better. Myself, just being player that plays on both sides of the ball, shoot it, get to the basket, play within the offense, off the ball that’s some of the stuff I’ve been doing in LA. And also being a defender on the other side and being able to switch, guard multiple positions, and just being trustworthy player on both sides of the ball.”
This was a fun one, where Cole Anthony closed out the day by sharing his reaction when he decided to sign with the Bucks:
He also commented on being able to wear his dad Greg’s number with one of the teams he played for:
“This is a true full circle moment. I wore my pop’s number in Orlando, which is cool, and I got to honor him there. Now playing on a team that he was a part of, wearing the same number; there’s not a lot of NBA players who can say they’ve done that. I wear the Bucks jersey with pride, I wear the Anthony jersey with pride, and I think it’s dope.”
Thank you for following along all day long as we embark on the 2025 season for the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks open up preseason play on a week from today October 6th on the road against the Miami Heat.
