Thanasis Antetokounmpo's name has recently been a sizzling topic of discussion around the social media and basketball communities. Yet again, and for unknown reasons, the Milwaukee Bucks forward has been subjected to public ridicule out of viral memes and hilarious trolling.
As Damian Lillard had already come in to defend the veteran against the online heckling, Patrick Beverley also emerged with his unique story that shows Thanasty as a cool and standout individual.
TA has been a Pat Bev fan since Day 1
In a viral clip of an episode of his Pat Bev Pod, Patrick candidly spoke about Antetokounmpo and even recalled how the Greek forward gladly approached him during his overseas playing days as a member of Olympiacos.
“He’s great, too,” Beverley said of Thanasis. “So you gotta think, I’m playing in Greece, right? I’m playing for arguably the best team in Greece, Olympiacos. I think he’s second division, right? Mind you, this is what he’s telling me like, ‘Pat, man, I remember bro watching you playing for Olympiacos. Like, damn, I want to be just like that.’
“So, I go, Rockets. I’m on a team with the Rockets, I go one day, watch some guys work out. It’s him. ‘Hey Pat, man, I seen you walk into that gym. It just turn me up, made want to do,’" Pat added.
“Mind you, these are stories that I’ve never heard before. I don’t think someone looked up to me and wanted to embrace their game because of the things I’ve done on the court. So I’m getting all this from, and I’m looking at him like, ‘Damn, I don’t even know that,'” Bev explained.
One of the greatest teammates ever
Although Thanasis has become a poster boy amongst the league's bench warmers — which people are continuing to make fun of — Bev has nothing but love for the unwavering positivity and professionalism of the 31-year-old on a daily basis.
“One of the greatest teammates,” Beverley said. “So looking at it from the outside, looking in, you like, ‘Man, what the f***?’ But being up under it, the best teammate. 110% every day. 110% in practice, encouraging up, talking all the time, a huge smile on his face. So yeah, shout out to TA.”
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