Kobe Bryant Revealed His Biggest Weakness to Giannis Antetokounmpo in Important Life Lesson

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo revealed what he learned from Kobe Bryant when they practiced together.

Kobe Bryant Revealed His Biggest Weakness to Giannis Antetokounmpo in Important Life Lesson

Kobe Bryant (Left) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Right) (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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The late and great Kobe Bryant has always been a true student of the game and has often extended a helping hand to the next generation, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, after his retirement in 2016. Since being drafted into the NBA as the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA draft, Antetokounmpo has shown immense growth with every passing season. One of the main reasons is his work ethic, commitment, and the desire to learn from former NBA stars such as Bryant and Kevin Garnett.

Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s ascension to being one of the best players in the game today is one of the best stories in the modern-NBA. And it is largely due to finding the right mentors, such as Kobe Bryant, who has played an important role in Antetokounmpo’s development.

While there is still a long way for Antetokounmpo to match up to Bryant in terms of achievements, the “Greek Freak” has still built an impressive resume with nine NBA All-Star appearances, two League MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA Championship to go along with the Finals MVP in 2021 when the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns in the finals in six games. Antetokounmpo dropped 50 points in Game 6 in one of the greatest individual performances in NBA Finals history.

The Bucks forward recently featured on his older brother’s podcast called the “Thanalysis Show.” Antetokounmpo shared about what he learned in his workout with Bryant early in his career.

Usually, most of the time, your weakness is your strength. And I’m sitting there, and I’m thinking I’m like, ‘Okay, what’s your weakness?’ He [Kobe] said, ‘I’m an a**hole, I’m not nice.’ And I said, “What’s your strength?’ He said, ‘I’m an a**hole, sorry for my language, but I don’t give a f***, you know, I’m going to shoot 40 shots.’

It turned out to be a valuable lesson for the Greek superstar as he realized that his stubbornness is his weakness, but it is also his strength, as no matter the circumstances, Antetokounmpo will get the job done.

Giannis Antetokounmpo on training with Kobe Bryant

There is no doubt that Kobe Bryant was one of the most influential players in the NBA. His charisma, aura, and the famous “Mamba Mentality”, coined by Bryant himself. His hyper-competitiveness and work ethic influenced Antetokounmpo to always strive for more.

While speaking about his sessions with different former players, he described his workout sessions with Bryant as one of the most memorable experiences in his career.

So, working out with Kobe was an incredible experience, and I learned a lot of things. I had my notebook because I was younger back then. I was probably 22. I took my notebook. I’m like, ‘I’m excited, man. This is Kobe Bryant. Long story short, he comes in, and brother, I’m not even exaggerating. I’m not because I played against Kobe twice in my career. He’s walking towards me. He’s glowing, bro.

Antetokounmpo has been vocal about preferring to train with former all-time great players rather than the players who are still active. He chooses to work out with players whom he does not have to compete against.

Iman Shumpert on Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the New York Knicks

After the Bucks traded Damian Lillard back to the Portland Trailblazers, Antetokounmpo requested a trade as he believed the Bucks management were not able to build a championship-contender roster around him. The two-time MVP desired to be traded to the New York Knicks, but as no trade was materialized, he decided to stay in Milwaukee for the 2025-26 season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image credits – Sky Sports)

While Antetokounmpo has continued to perform at an MVP level as he is currently averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists, the Bucks find themselves lingering at 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with a poor 11-16 record. Following the poor start to the campaign, Antetokounmpo’s exit rumors have started to resurface again.

Former Knicks player Iman Shumpert was critical of the potential Antetokounmpo to Knicks trade.

When I look at this group even when I see them off the court they look like they enjoy being with each other so no (the trade) I wouldn’t do it. They do get better with Giannis over there but I know you would have to lose someone like KAT. I’m going to roll with the guys that we picked, the city loves the guys that they have.

With still a month to go for the transfer deadline, all eyes will be on Antetokounmpo and which club he ends up in.

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