Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on injury-laden offseason: ‘I was a couch potato’

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Paolo Songco | Last updated 12/22/23

It would be an understatement to say that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo had an eventful summer. Apart from the fact that he put to paper on a massive extension with the Milwaukee BucksBucks, the former back-to-back MVP also joined forces with one of the top point guards in the NBA today in Damian Lillard to form a superstar tandem unlike we’ve ever seen before.

It’s almost easy to overlook the fact that Antetokounmpo had to undergo surgery in the offseason to address a lingering issue in his knee. Above everything else, this was without a doubt the biggest reason why Giannis was unable to perform his usual offseason routine.

Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Speaks on Offseason Injury

According to Giannis, this past summer was one of the toughest offseasons he’s ever had to go through. This dude lives and breathes basketball, so you just know that it was a struggle for him to be out for so long.

“I just want to play games,” Antetokounmpo said, via Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “This offseason I was a couch potato (because of knee surgery). Ate a lot of Doritos and a lot of Lays chips, a lot of popcorn, watched a lot of Netflix. I couldn’t move. It was the first time in my career I wasn’t able to participate for the (Greek) national team and help them be better, or whatever the case might be. Or be worse, who knows. I just try as much as I can (to be) available. I might not be 100%, but I’m OK, I’m available. If I can play the game I try not to take it for granted and I’ll play.”

Giannis did just that on Thursday against the Orlando Magic. He was initially questionable to play with a right midfoot sprain, but the seven-time All-Star battled through the pain.

He looked perfectly fine, though, guiding the Bucks to a 118-114 victory with a game-high 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Not bad for a guy playing on a bad foot, right?

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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