“Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Tough To Play With”: Former Teammate Reveals Khris Middleton Butted Heads With 2x MVP

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t come across as someone who’d be difficult to play alongside as a teammate. He has always exuded this pleasant persona and an ever-positive attitude in the media. However, a former teammate recently put the ‘difficult’ label on him.

Star athletes can be challenging to work with at times. In most cases, it’s their ego that becomes a problem. But in the case of Giannis, it’s a different story.

While speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, John Henson stated that the Greek Freak is tough to play with. He substantiated his statement by revealing how Giannis has butted heads with Khris Middleton in the past.

However, Henson’s comment wasn’t coming from a negative place. He was outlining Giannis’ unique style of playing that often becomes a problem for the players around him.

“That’s the biggest issue I think with him [Giannis] right now, trusting your teammates,” said Henson while praising Giannis as a “great player”.

“Giannis is tough to play with. Khris had to figure it out… They butted heads, [and] eventually came to an understanding. Giannis came to respect where he thinks that, okay, I can trust this guy,” Henson added.

To be clear, Giannis and Middleton have a great personal relationship and were great teammates, too. But it didn’t start the same way.

"Giannis is tough to play with… Khris {Middleton} had to figure it out, they butted heads"

🔊 John Henson breaks down what could be the issue with the #Bucks as he talks with @WorldWideWob and Ryan McDonough pic.twitter.com/LsIb9kx0rH

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) April 25, 2025

Henson believes that Jrue Holiday also managed to convince Giannis that he is reliable over the course of their time as teammates. But the Bucks need a “third guy” in this equation.

Since the two people Giannis trusted have left the franchise, Giannis needs to figure out whom he can trust from the current roster.

Earlier this year, when Middleton was traded to the Wizards, Giannis was having a tough time coming to terms with it. He expressed his disappointment over the trade.

“I’ve played a game with Khris not physically in the arena, but just thinking he’s not on the roster, he’s not on the team no more, it was definitely a weird feeling for me because I’ve never played an NBA game without Khris being on the roster,” Giannis had said.

There’s a lot of talent on the Bucks roster. Damian Lillard, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis Jr., and the like. This should make Giannis’ job easy.

The Greek Freak probably just needs a little more time around these players to be fully comfortable with them. Having a good relationship with his teammates on and off the court might help him in this process.