Former teammate names Giannis Antetokounmpo among ‘two biggest NBA trolls’

The likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are often looked at as refreshing changes with their fun personalities.

Former teammate names Giannis Antetokounmpo among ‘two biggest NBA trolls’

Giannis Antetokounmpo amid a game against teh Dallas Mavericks in 2024. (Image via Imagn Images)

It is no secret to NBA fans that Giannis Antetokounmpo is a man who enjoys himself. The Greek Freak has a reputation for being so painfully unfunny that it ends up looking funny. Beyond that, he also has a mischievous smile on his face whenever he interacts with the media, win or lose. His attitude has grown to endear him to basketball fans who grew up idolizing the likes of Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and more.

While Jordan and Bryant had their fun moments, they were often viewed as psychopathically angry and fixated on winning. Their own tales of practice and personal vengeance bear this notion out. These two influential basketball players have led a few generations of fans to redefine how athletes are viewed in the public. Putting on a game face and meaning business has become the norm for players across sports.

This is why the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are often looked at as refreshing changes. Sports are fun at their core, and the fun element is something to be accentuated. Even though enmity and rivalry spur players to greater heights, sounding less obsessed off the field is an important element of modern-day sports coolness. Patrick Beverley spoke about this on a recent episode of his podcast:

I don’t think he’s going, I don’t think they’re going to trade him. You think Doc Rivers is going to start all over again with young players? That’s not going to happen. He came in to replace Griffin, to take them deep in the playoffs, right? So now you’re going back on the reason why you hired this coach. You could’ve kept Griffin…Giannis doesn’t talk to nobody from the media. Besides, he’s hitting motherf***ers with dad jokes. I’m telling you, Giannis – he’s a troll. The two biggest trolls I know is him and Embiid.

Patrick Beverley said

Beverley’s assessment was not wrong at all. In fact, he was so on point that Antetokounmpo took note of his latest podcast episode. He took to Twitter/X to heartily agree with Beverley, who last played in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Life is more fun that way

Giannis Antetokounmpo would be better served by staying in the East

They often say that continuity is the best way to ensure a winning culture and birthing sporting dynasties. In the case of the Bucks, they have had to make a clean break from the roster that won them the championship. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, who were pillars of their 2021 team, have now moved to other teams. Damian Lillard, who was brought in to be a co-star, will miss much of 2025-26 with an ACL tear.

It remains to be seen how the Bucks play their hand in the 2025 offseason. Although it may be tempting to ‘sell high’ on Antetokounmpo after 12 years of service to Milwaukee, he is an irreplaceable talent. Even if he does demand a trade away, keeping him in the city for a few more years would be the prudent option.

It is also unlikely for Antetokounmpo to cause a scene and make Jimmy Butler-like moves should he want a move away. The Bucks can hold on to a playoff seed in Lillard’s absence, and he can even be back for next year’s playoffs. A reduced version of Damian Lillard would still represent the best offensive help Giannis has ever had.

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