Giannis Antetokounmpo makes cryptic comment about 'phony' NBA players

In a recent podcast appearance, Giannis spoke out about these offseason workouts involving stars of opposing teams. For his part, Antetokounmpo made it abundantly clear that he’s just not buying in on the concept:

“I always compete against them so when I am on the court, I want to go as hard as I can,” Antetokounmpo said on the "48 Minutes" podcast (h/t Joseph Salvador of SI). “I feel like the moment I am around you, I become your friend because I give everything . . . I don’t know how to be, how you call it, phony. I don’t know how to be fake.”

Did Anteotkounmpo just fire a veiled shot at a number of stars out there who choose to work out with opposing players? The first name that comes to mind is Kevin Durant. This summer alone, KD has already been seen in the gym with the likes of Jordan Poole, Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Green.

For Giannis, though, he just doesn’t see the point in all this. In fact, he believes that working out with his opponents “takes off his edge” whenever he faces off against them on the court come the regular season.

Antetokounmpo will work out with retired NBA legend

While Antetokounmpo has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of connecting with his peers, the Bucks superstar is willing to work out with retired players. It’s not just any retired star out there, either, with Giannis opting to put some work in with Hall of Fame big man Hakeem Olajuwon.

Antetokounmpo recently revealed how much admiration he has for the Houston Rockets icon who, like Giannis, has Nigerian roots.

Apparently, you have to be a two-time NBA champion and a Hall of Fame inductee to be able to qualify for Antetokounmpo’s workout shortlist.