Being successful in the NBA is no simple task. It requires hard work, dedication, focus, and it helps if you are genetically gifted as well. There is nobody who can embody the same better than Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 6ft 11″ forward was drafted in 2013, and has worked his way to get to where he is today.
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An NBA Champion and Finals MVP, Giannis is also a 2x NBA MVP, 1x DPOY, and 6x All-Star. Having accomplished all that in nine seasons, Giannis started his 10th season in the NBA this year. The Greek Freak is looking healthier and better than ever, and would try and replicate the success he had in 2021.
At the same, Antetokounmpo never backs away from having fun. From his dad jokes, to watching him eat snacks courtside, the 2x MVP never lets there be a dull moment. His Instagram Live is something no one should miss. In 2018, on one such IG live, Giannis mocked a recent draft pick.
Giannis Antetokounmpo shuts down wild prospect about Mo Bamba
Back in 2018, the Orlando Magic drafted Mo Bamba as the 6th Pick. A 5x High-School recruit, Mo played collegiate basketball for the University of Texas. In his one season in college, Mo earned a spot in Big 12’s All-Newcomer Team and All-Defensive Team. He was also named a member of the All-Big 12 Second Team. Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.
There was genuine hype around him and people expected him to be a brilliant player right off the bat. So much so, that he was mentioned alongside other current greats as well. In one of his Instagram lives, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked by a fan, “Is Mo better than you?”
It’s been four years, and Mo is yet to prove Giannis wrong about the same.
How has Mo Bamba fared in the NBA?
In the four seasons since his draft, Mo has averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds. Playing with the Orlando Magic, Mo has yet to find his stride, but he did have a career-best season last year. Averaging 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, Bamba started 69 out of the 71 games he played in 2021-22.
This year, his numbers have gone down yet again. However, the 24-year-old has quite some time to change his game and get better, and maybe one day prove the Greek Freak wrong.
