As a guest on “The Daily Show” with Hasan Minhaj, Giannis Antetokounmpo got a lesson on how to trash talk, but it went hilariously wrong.
The Milwaukee Bucks star is known for his humility, sense of humor and zest for life, but one thing he’s not known for is being mean or having the ability to successfully trash talk his fellow NBA players.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Too Nice To Trash Talk!
Minhaj wanted to hear Antetkounmpo trash talk some of his fellow NBA players, and even scripted it for him. All the NBA star had to do was read the words with some attitude, but it was too much to ask for the guy who’s known for his kindness.
“You are obviously one of the biggest superstars in the world but you’re kind, you’re empathetic, you’re humble, in a league where that’s not incentivized,” Minhaj said before showing a clip where Antetokounmpo says in a press conference that Steph Curry is the best player in the world.
“I hate that. I hate that. Look, you got this immigrant, dad, green card, visa energy. But you’re a citizen bro, you deserve to be here, alright? And this whole being nice to everybody else in the league, Giannis, they’re going headhunting for you.”
Minhaj was egging Antetokounmpo on to start trash talking despite it not being one of the Bucks star’s strengths. “Now I know, talking trash isn’t your strength. That’s my strength,” Minhaj said confidently. “So I wrote you some trash talk right here to some of the top players in the league, and I want you to go to camera three right now and talk that mother****ing talk.”
Antetokounmpo reluctantly agreed, and his first trash talk victim was Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. He started strong saying, “Listen Luka,” but it didn’t take long for Antetokounmpo’s true personality to shine through. “Even though you’re riding with Kyrie, and you have him on your team, I’m coming for you guys.” He then sheepishly said, “I can’t say that,” as Minhaj jumped up yelling in hilarious disapproval. Minhaj then demonstrated how it should be done attacking Doncic in a funny way.
Then it was time for the Bucks star to try again with a new player, so it was onto Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. “Joker, how you gonna make it through the finals when you look like you can barely make it through a Burger King drive-thru,” the NBA star said. He was praised and then told to keep going, but instead he broke into, “Jokic, I love your game,” he said with a laugh.
Hasan Minhaj Wasn’t Giving Up Just Yet
Time to move on to Kevin Durant, who was just traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns. This is when Antetokounmpo started to look more worried about the pressure.
“You keep joining super teams to win an NBA title. How about we work out together some time so I can teach you how to carry your own team,” he said.
But that didn’t sit well with him so he followed it up with, “KD, you’re one of the best scorers to ever play this game. I respect your game. You lead by example for 15 years.”
Minhaj wasn’t quite ready to give up on him just yet, so it was onto LeBron James.
“LeBron, I love your game, man,” Antetokounmpo said with a laugh. “I love your game. You’re the king for the reason. GOAT just broke the all-time scoring record. Keep doing what you’re doing, man. He’s a blueprint.”
That’s when Minhaj gave up on his trash talking quest saying, “Giannis, this is what love most about you, man, in all seriousness. Thank you so much for all the work you’re doing in the league. You’re setting such a great image for kids around the world.”
