Antetokounmpo didn't know how good Kidd was as player
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA's most exciting young stars, and he has the opportunity to learn from a future Hall of Famer in Jason Kidd.
Antetokounmpo just didn't realize it right away.
In a Sports Illustrated feature from Lee Jenkins, Antetokounmpo recalled the first time Kidd benched him. Antetokounmpo was upset with Kidd and looked up his NBA stats to see if Kidd even knew what he was talking about. He got his answer rather easily.
The first time Kidd benched him, Antetokounmpo was irate. "I was like, 'Let's see what this guy did in his career, anyway,' " Antetokounmpo recounts, and called up Kidd's bio on his phone. "I saw Rookie of the Year, NBA championship, USA Olympic gold medal, second in assists, fifth in made threes, blah, blah, blah. I was like, 'Jesus freaking Christ, how can I compete with that? I better zip it.'"
Kidd, a 10-time All-Star during his playing days, has helped turn Antetokounmpo into more than just a freak athlete - he's a complete player now. Antetokounmpo is averaging 23.8 points, 5.9 assist and 9 rebounds per game this season and should make his first All-Star team.