GUEST POST: As we have done from time to time, we have featured some great storytelling and best practices from guest writers. Here is a good one all Giannis from Scott Trick. Scott has collected sports cards since the early 80’s and because of his love for collecting he started the website sports card authority. His favorite players are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he cherishes all sports and all cards like they are art.
Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo is a professional Greek basketball player. He plays for Milwaukee Bucks as a power forward or small forward. Being an exceptional Greek basketball player, many fans call him “Greek Freak”. His amazing speed and ball-handling skill are also a reason for such a unique nickname.
In 2019, Antetokounmpo received NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award. For Milwaukeeans, Giannis is not just a sports player. He is an icon for them, someone with a heart of pure gold. Being a fan favorite, Giannis never took the love for granted and returns the affection with respect. His aura, personality, and empathy melt the hearts of Milwaukeeans. Even Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rivals are fond of his down towards earth nature.
Some Beautiful Moments of Giannis That Are Heart Touching
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a person with a genuine personality. He doesn’t do anything for fame or money. It’s his nature to love others, give respect, appreciate people around him, and never turn his back on anyone. Little gestures of love by Giannis have won the heart of Milwaukeeans. Here are some interesting moments that left his fans speechless with love.
Young Giannis and Balanced Personality
In 2013, the young Giannis had to send money to his family in Greece. He had a game and received money after that. Since he had no money in his pocket to afford cab fare, he started running towards the nearest Western Union. He ran a mile when a couple recognized him and gave the young man a lift. Due to his incredible down towards the earth and balanced personality, the couple appreciated him and gave love.
Postgame Interview
In 2019, after winning the game, Giannis gave the interview while holding a baby. He held the baby the whole time with affection and love. Milwaukee Bucks shared the moment on Twitter with proudness, melting the hearts of the viewers.
Before the interview, Antetokounmpo was holding Scott Faust’s daughter; Milwaukee Bucks head athletic. It was not a publicity stunt as the reporters have seen Baby Cadence in Gianni’s arms many times. He just loves her so much.
Pure Love for the Kids
There is no doubt that Giannis Antetokounmpo is a lover of kids. He feels lively among them and gives affection to all. In a meet-and-greet session, an 11 years old girl named Lily came to Giannis and presented him with a folder. The binder had different arts of Giannis she made for him. The Greek basketballer came to her and hugged her tightly. There was no dry eye at the meet-and-greet session that moment.
The Humorous Man
Once in an interview, Giannis Antetokounmpo challenged Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock to a weight lifting battle. The Greek basketballer said that he can easily kill and win against The Rock and laughed. But the other second, he backed out and told the reporter that he was joking as he doesn’t want The Rock to come and kill him instead.
Dwayne Johnson, the actor, and former wrestler had a good laugh at it. He responded to the interview by inviting Giannis for a workout session and having a tequila later. True gentlemen!
Giannis also jokes around with his fellow teammates. He said that if his finances ever collapse, he has a backup plan: Bobby Portis and Dante DiVencenzo basketball cards.
Love to Greek Super Fans
After a game in New York in 2018, Giannis met a group of Greek fans. They chanted his name and Antetokounmpo thanked them in the native language. Instead of walking away after a tiring match, he remained with the group and signed jerseys for the kids. Later, the organizer of the Greek delegation presented him with a freshly made souvlaki, food from a local Greek restaurant. Giannis tweeted about the food and thanked him for bringing the taste of home for him in New York.
The Habit of Giving Kids his Clothes
In a Greek fan event, a video of Gianni’s went viral. A boy from the crowd asked Antetokounmpo for his sweatshirt, which he was wearing at the time. Giannis gave it right away with a big smile. Once a teen asked him for his jacket when the temperature was also cold. Giannis not only gave him the jacket but also joked about giving him his pants.
Is this a Branding Strategy?
Many critics, rivals, and columnists review Giannis Antetokounmpo as a man with two faces. They believe all his kindness is an act. As per them, he is trying to brand himself as an emphatic human being. The 27 years old Greek basketballer for them is a con artist who is gaining sympathy by doing petty affection tasks.
But the truth is, they all are just a bunch of jealous people. And it’s a universal truth that haters are always going to hate! During numerous moments throughout his basketball career so far, reports, journalists, and interviewers have seen the true Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo. He never speaks great for himself and instead remains on the ground.
During an interview, Giannis told them that when Khris Middleton retires, that is going to be the toughest and most painful day for him. It would be like his brother has retired. That’s the kind of man he is. Loving others, appreciating their existence, keeping it all calm, and respecting everyone selflessly.
How could such a man even think to scam people around him? He genuinely cares for others and loves kids a lot. He adores everyone and gives respect, even to those who don’t deserve it. It can be that he is building a brand. But that’s unknowing!
We all know that to build yourself as a brand, you need to be genuinely a good human being. The way you treat others is the way you get yourself treated. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a person with a heart that aches for others and has endless love for all. When he is giving love to everyone, ultimately, he’ll get the same. In such a stance, he will become a brand himself. A name synonym to love, appreciation, respect, courage, and empathy, irrespective of any discrimination. The way Giannis treats others clearly represents the upbringings he had. The critics need to understand this!
