Giannis Antetokounmpo Needed to Look Up Jason Kidd's Playing Career

Under the tutelage of former star floor general Jason Kidd, Giannis Antetokounmpo has transformed into one of the NBA's most dangerous point guards. The Greek Freak, however, didn't initially realize he was learning from a future Hall of Famer.

Before blossoming into the Milwaukee Bucks' superstar, he grew up in Athens and didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. So it's reasonable to assume he didn't closely follow the playing career of his current head coach, who led the then-New Jersey Nets to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.

In Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins' latest cover story, Antetokounmpo recalled researching Kidd's accolades:

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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.'"

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The 22-year-old may have been more familiar with Kidd as a role player for the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks. He was nine years old when Kidd last earned the assists title and All-NBA First Team honors.

Currently averaging 23.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.9 blocks and steals apiece, Antetokounmpo is on his way to establishing a portfolio that will leave the next generation in awe.

[Sports Illustrated, h/tJarrel Harris]