Rajon Rondo reveals what the Milwaukee Bucks coaches have been telling Giannis Antetokounmpo to improve

Rajon Rondo wants Giannis Antetokounmpo to have a greater defensive impact

Giannis Antetokounmpo is already an elite defender, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020.

However, Rondo and the Bucks coaches are convinced he can do more to help the team on the defensive end.

They believe that Antetokounmpo can have a greater impact on winning if he speaks to his teammates more on defense.

“I think we challenge him every day on the staff to be a better communicator on defense,” Rondo explained.

“Being a veteran and a champion, he has seen all the offenses; they’re all pretty much the same now.

“Being a better communicator and putting guys in the right spots, especially with new teammates, the last couple of years.

“Injuries happen, so we have to put guys in certain roles, and it’s harder for them to adjust than for him, being in the league for 12-plus years. Understanding what the game is asking of him and helping us with that.”

Rajon Rondo compares Giannis Antetokounmpo to Kevin Garnett

Rondo has been extremely impressed with Antetokounmpo’s attitude with the Bucks on and off the court.

He compared Antetokounmpo to his former Boston Celtics teammate and elite power forward Kevin Garnett.

“He’s a great teammate,” Rondo said. “I think there are a lot of similarities to Kevin Garnett, how he was. Guys like playing with him.

“He’s an extremely hard worker, and he’s open to criticism. I think a lot of superstars… I don’t know everybody, but you hear a lot of chatter about them not being coachable.”

Antetokounmpo has the same fierce competitive spirit as Garnett and is arguably an even better player.