Following their inter-division showdown on Friday, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo gave his flowers to young Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley.
Antetokounmpo praised Mobley’s game, noting that the former USC star “can be better” than him with the skill set and physique he possesses.
“He can be better than me,” Antetokounmpo said to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. “I don’t see why he can’t. It’s up to him. I will always try to improve. Every day. But he has the skill set to be a very, very good player. He’s 7-feet tall. He can move really well. He can shoot. He is very smart. As you said, he watches tapes of other players, which is very, very good for a young player. If he takes this seriously, he is going to be great.
“I didn’t average what he is in my second season, so he’s already ahead of me. It’s in his hands. If he stays humble, continues to work hard, focuses on the game and shows love to the game of basketball, he is going to be really good.”
Ever since he entered the association last year, Mobley has been garnering praise and attention for having the traits and intangibles of a modern big man. The former top 3 pick was even compared to the likes of Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh, two of the greatest power forwards to play the game with their sweet shooting stroke, defensive mechanism, and immense talent.
In his first two seasons to start, Mobley is currently averaging 14.9 points, 8.5 boards, 2.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 54.1 percent shooting. The numbers can already tell that he is bound to become a versatile force and a future star in the making.
With all the tools he got, it only now falls down if he can keep up that dedication to his craft. Out of nowhere, Antetokounmpo is living proof that hard work is the primary key to success in this game of basketball.
