Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing his first competitive basketball game through the Greece national basketball team since the Milwaukee Bucks’ elimination in the first round of the playoffs. Team’s coaching staff are in full force to support him in EuroBasket 2025 with head coach Doc Rivers and his deputies in attendance in their first game against Italy in Cyprus.
bucks greece giannis antetokounmpo
Apr 3, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
“It’s great to see Giannis play obviously, and really just watch everybody play, and I’m in Cyprus, so it’s all good,” he said in an interview with Basketnews.
Bucks’ roster is pretty much complete with Amir Coffey being the latest acquisition.
Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst, head coach Doc Rivers and assistant coach Darvin Ham are here in Limassol, Cyprus, to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo in his EuroBasket 2025 opener. pic.twitter.com/3bqvyKfPVl
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) August 28, 2025
Preparations are ongoing and Rivers is not in Cyprus just to become an spectator. He is also there to see plays that he could use for the team in the new season.
Rivers already said many times that Antetokounmpo, who has been their best player since a decade ago, will be used differently this new season compared to the last one. His time Greece with might offer something.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers
Nov 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
“I love watching the movement and how they play,” Rivers said.
“I always steal plays, I watch it, and I take some of these plays back home and I run them. Yeah, I love all the movement, all the elbow action.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo for Greece vs for Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo is the best player both for the Bucks and the Greece national team. Is there a difference in the way he used? Assistant coach Darvin Ham does not see any stark difference.
“He’s trying to involve his teammates and allow his teammates to help him help them. It’s more team oriented, more sets and all of that here is different,” he said.
Darvin Ham, Milwaukee Bucks
Mar 22, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham talks to media members before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
“They don’t play as fast as we do in the NBA, but in NBA, his usage rate is off the charts. He constantly has the ball in his hands, so a little bit different role for him over there.”
Greece were triumphant on their first assignment against Italy. Antetokounmpo scored 31 points on an efficient above 70 percent shooting, much like how does it in the NBA. He also had seven rebounds and two assists.
Next up on their schedule are hosts Cyprus.
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