Giannis Antetokounmpo Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant, Draws Inspiration From His Golden Words

2021 NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo still lives by Kobe Bryant’s golden words and uses them as motivation to get better every day.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted in 2013 by the Milwaukee Bucks. Joining the league when he was a skinny kid, Antetokounmpo always knew he had a lot of work ahead of him to get to where he dreamed of. Using Kobe Bryant as motivation, Giannis worked every day. 9 years later, the Greek monster is 1x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 2x NBA MVP and 1x DPOY.

Kobe Bryant was another skinny kid who joined the NBA straight from Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. Giannis saw where Kobe’s work ethic took him and he stood his ground. Before Kobe’s untimely death, he used to set little challenges for Giannis, which he met one by one.

The last challenge the Mamba threw at Antetokounmpo was to win an NBA championship. Giannis accomplished the same thing last year, but Kobe wasn’t around to see it. Although he is no longer with us, Giannis still uses his words and advice as gospel.

Also read: “Dwyane Wade was better than Kobe Bryant!”: ‘The godfather’ of basketball claimed that Flash was better than Mamba in 2006

Giannis Antetokounmpo lives by the words of Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is one of the most inspiring people. His words made a deep impact, but his actions showed us that what he said did wonders. The Mamba mentality that Kobe possessed is something that many people try to replicate, but it is much easier said than done. No matter what field you’re in, if you adopt his mindset and use it well, you’re guaranteed success.

During the 2016 ESPYs, Kobe spoke about something his English teacher said: “Rest at the end, not in the middle.”

This is something that Kobe took to heart, and it looks like Giannis Antetokounmpo is also following suit. Speaking of preparing him for the upcoming season, the Bucks MVP said exactly the same thing.

Giannis Antetokounmpo pays tribute to Kobe Bryant.

“Rest at the end, not in the middle.” pic.twitter.com/UH0H81scjj

— Kobe highlights and motivation (@kobehighlight) September 28, 2022

Also read: Kobe Bryant, who invested $100 million in a venture capital fund, landed his first endorsement deal as a child in Italy

Giannis went from being a skinny kid to the most dominant person in the current NBA. If he continues to follow Kobe’s words, the day Giannis becomes the undisputed face of the NBA is not far off.