"I feel like a father" - Kevin Garnett says he is proud of how much Giannis Antetokounmpo's game has improved since they worked out in 2016

“I feel like a father” – Kevin Garnett says he is proud of how much Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game has improved since they worked out in 2016 originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Kevin Garnett is credited as one of the people who helped mold Giannis Antetokounmpo into the great player that he is today. The Bucks asked Garnett to help develop Giannis after KG retired, and he worked with Antetokounmpo on at least two occasions.

During his recent appearance on the “Hear District” podcast, Garnett revealed that he did not notice the freak in Giannis at first, and it wasn’t until a preseason game during KG’s final season in the league in 2015-16 when a bulked-up “Greek Freak” caught his attention and they had their first conversation.

“It wasn’t until the third time, or I think I was a little older. I think I was in Minnesota. I think we had a preseason game against Milwaukee, and I could tell just how… he looked like Bruce Lee. He looked super-ripped. He looked different. He wasn’t like… his posture was straight-up. He looked super… So when I saw that, that was my first interaction with him and then obviously the next year, I retired, and then I got a call from J-Kidd to ask me if I can actually come in and work with him cuz Giannis had requested to come in,” said Garnett.

KG says he’s like a proud father when watching Giannis today

It was in December 2016 when KG was first spotted in the Bucks facility, working out with Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton in a private workout after the team’s practice. After that initial workout, Giannis said not only did KG teach them his moves, but he also emphasized “warrior mentality” by repeating those words at least 300 times that day.

Then, at around the same time one year later, “The Big Ticket” returned to Milwaukee to check in on Giannis and Middleton, while also working on then-Bucks second-year center Thon Maker. While Maker never made it big, Antetokounmpo went on to win the Most Improved Player award in 2017, DPOY in 2020 and the MVP in 2019 and 2020.

“I feel proud, man. I feel like a father. You know what I’m saying? When I watch him, I’m proud. I’m happy that he’s happy,” added Garnett.

Best experience of Giannis’ life

Last year, Garnett visited the Bucks in Las Vegas while they were preparing for the 2024 Emirates Cup final against the Oklahoma City Thunder. KG sat behind Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who was his championship coach in Boston and when Giannis noticed him, he talked about his workouts with KG.

“I had a week of workouts with him. He was sweating more than me. I was the one working out… best experience of my life,” Giannis told Kevin.

“I just want to say, man, it was a pleasure working with you, bro,” Garnett responded.

KG was known as one of the greatest trash-talkers in NBA history. But for Antetokounmpo, although he might have heard a few jabs during their five head-to-head matchups, it was mostly pointers and advice that helped him become one of the best and most dominant players in the NBA today.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 13, 2025, where it first appeared.

“I feel like a father” – Kevin Garnett says he is proud of how much Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game has improved since they worked out in 2016

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