Rookie training is tough! The young players have to work extra hard to showcase their skills and stand out from the rest. Shooting is one of the most important aspects that can earn rookies more time on the court alongside the star players. That is what Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s elder brother initially assumed about his tough training. After recalling former NBA player Carmelo Anthony‘s intervention, Thanasis Antetokounmpo reflected on the difference between strict training and unnecessary discipline.

During his appearance in the latest episode of Above The Rim with DH12, Thanasis recounted his time with the Knicks. He was drafted in the second round in 2014. For those unaware, the Milwaukee Bucks star played for the New York Knicks‘ G League team. Reflecting on his rookie days, Thanasis recalled how one particular coach made him do pushups for every missed shot. However, he refused to share the name of the coach.

“Every time this happens I’m doing from 10 to 20 from 20 to 30 I’m going like up in the push-ups so it’s basically a trap. He’s just doing it just to do it,” Thanasis recalled. That was until Melo entered the gym and saw what was happening. The 10x NBA All-Star, who had joined the Knicks as part of a blockbuster deal, questioned why the coach was making him do pushups for missed shots, knowing that as a rookie, he might miss some.

“Melo comes in looks at me looks like hey man what are you doing? Like you know he’s gonna he’s gonna shoot over like you making him do push-ups and I think there was a thin line between the like I’mma be rough on you know what I’m saying I’m going be this out of character on you,” he recalled.

Thanasis was the 51st overall pick by the Knicks. The 2x Greek League Champion was named to the 2015 NBA D-League All-Defensive Second Team. He averaged 13.9 points and 6.2 rebounds across 47 games for Westchester. After playing in the Greek League for two years, Thanasis joined the Milwaukee Bucks alongside his brother.

Adrian Griffin inspired Thanasis to stay with Milwaukee Bucks

At one point in 2023, Shams Charania’s report dropped the bombshell that the Greek player was close to moving to the Knicks during his free agency. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who had a two-year stint with the Westchester Knicks, also played in two games for the New York Knicks in 2015. 

In a conversation with Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews, he clarified that there had been some talks regarding a potential move. “I love Milwaukee. But at the same time… I want to play. You always want to play and feel important. And at the same time, you want, like… It’s just because of how I am as a player. That would be different if I were in Europe and any other team. But now it became a little bit more like, oh, okay, he’s on the team because…” he stressed. However, he ultimately decided to stay with the Bucks, and the credit goes to coach Adrian Griffin.

Reflecting on that time, he recalled that when he struggled to make a decision, he approached the coach for advice. Griffin assured him that he valued his contributions. “But I sat down with the new coach and talked with him. He said he appreciates the way I play, he values my game. You know, every coach has a different opinion of everybody. But when I picked the teams, hearing the coach and everything… I thought this was the place for me,” he shared.

After 43 games, Griffin was replaced with new coach Doc Rivers. Thanasis mostly came off the bench in 2021 but he played a key supporting role in helping the Bucks secure the 2021 championship. He is an important contributor to the roster.