With the Miami Heat now led by Giannis Antetokounmpo after the blockbuster trade in the offseason from the Milwaukee Bucks, there is no doubt that an adjustment period is needed after 13 seasons in one place. As Antetokounmpo continues to build chemistry with the Heat ahead of the regular-season opener on Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he would give a piece of how his life is like, and it may not be what one expects.
When it comes to being one of the best NBA players in the world and the money that comes along with it, one might think a vivid and bombastic life outside of basketball exists. Maybe for others, but for Antetokounmpo, he sees himself as just a “regular guy,” even doing his grocery shopping in person at Costco, as the star said on the “Thanalysis Show.”
“Once I walked in there, I had people coming up to me, like, what are you doing here? And I was like, I am just trying to feed my kids,” Antetokounmpo said.
Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo on “one in a billion” fan interaction
Speaking with his brother, Thanasis, Giannis Antetokounmpo would also talk about the fan reactions he has dealt with, saying it's been very positive, as some gifted the player and his family, along with other nice gestures. However, he would talk about one incident that crossed the line with his children, though he mentioned that a bad incident like this is “one in a billion.”
Article Continues Below“I was sitting in the airport, and I was waiting in the baggage claim, and there was like this lady,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was sitting with my son, and she had her phone out, and she was like zooming in, and she was like taking pictures of my kid…I was like, ‘Excuse me, like please don't do that.' She was like, ‘Why? You are a public figure.' I was like, ‘Okay, I get it, but not my kids. You can take pictures of me, but not them.”
At any rate, Antetokounmpo will keep getting used to the Heat organization as this upcoming season moves on.