Giannis Antetokounmpo is no stranger to the spotlight, but as the 2025 EuroBasket tournament tips off, the Greek superstar faces a gauntlet of challenges that could shape not only his summer but the trajectory of his NBA career. With the Milwaukee Bucks already eyeing next season’s prospects and Greece’s national team depending on his every move, the stakes for Antetokounmpo have never been higher. Can the two-time NBA MVP adapt to the bruising, physical style of international play and carry his teams to glory on both sides of the Atlantic?
For fans of old-school basketball, watching Antetokounmpo is a throwback treat. Over the last three NBA seasons, he’s averaged more than 30 points per game, bulldozing through defenses with a blend of power and finesse. In the NBA, where rules are designed to protect scorers, Giannis often draws fouls when defenders get too physical. But the EuroBasket stage is a different beast entirely. Here, referees let defenders bump, shove, and jostle with near impunity, making every drive to the rim a battle. That’s a reality Antetokounmpo and Greece have already tasted in their recent exhibition matchups.
During a string of seven tune-up games ahead of the tournament, Greece’s fortunes swung wildly. They notched a win over Latvia, with Giannis leading the charge, but ran into a brick wall against France. The French defense, loaded with talent and experience, held Antetokounmpo to just 20 points as they cruised to a 92-77 victory. The result was a wake-up call for the Greek squad, underscoring the lack of depth and balance behind their marquee star. With three losses out of seven exhibitions, Greece enters EuroBasket as a team with plenty to prove—and even more to fix.
NBA insider Brian Windhorst didn’t mince words when analyzing Giannis’s international prospects. “The international game is tough on Giannis. They can just beat the hell out of him,” Windhorst declared on ESPN’s ‘The Hoop Collective.’ “They just flop incessantly in front of him.” It’s a stark contrast to the NBA, where Antetokounmpo’s physicality is often rewarded, not punished. In Europe, he’s a marked man, facing relentless double-teams and defenders more than happy to take a hit—or sell one—to slow him down.
That puts enormous pressure on Antetokounmpo to adapt. It’s not just about scoring, but finding new ways to dominate. Greece’s lack of supporting firepower means that every opponent will key in on Giannis, daring his teammates to beat them. With Group C matchups looming against heavyweights like Spain, Italy, and a scrappy Georgia squad, there’s no room for error. From the opening tip, Antetokounmpo must impose his will, setting the tone for a Greek team hungry for a deep run.
But EuroBasket is just one chapter in the saga. Back in Milwaukee, the Bucks are preparing for a season that will test the limits of Antetokounmpo’s endurance and leadership. With Damian Lillard sidelined by injury and Myles Turner unable to shoulder a major offensive load, the Bucks’ offense will run almost exclusively through Giannis. That’s a double-edged sword: more touches mean more opportunities for jaw-dropping stats, but it also means defenses can zero in on him night after night.
Despite this, NBA insiders at ESPN are skeptical that Antetokounmpo can capture another MVP award in the upcoming 2025-2026 season. Last year, he finished third in MVP voting, trailing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. This year, the experts predict he’ll finish tied for fourth, behind Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Gilgeous-Alexander, sharing the spot with Anthony Edwards. The consensus? Even with the ball in his hands more than ever, Giannis may not have the team success needed to sway voters.
Why the doubt? Some insiders point to the Bucks’ recent playoff woes. Indiana has bounced Milwaukee from the first round two years running, and unless Giannis can elevate his play to truly historic levels, there’s concern the Bucks won’t rack up enough wins to keep him in the MVP conversation. “This award sometimes goes to the best player on the best team,” noted one analyst, suggesting that team performance could overshadow individual brilliance.
Still, few would dare bet against Antetokounmpo. He’s proven doubters wrong before, leading Milwaukee to an NBA championship in 2021 and routinely carrying his team through adversity. The Bucks will need every ounce of that resilience if they hope to compete with rising Eastern Conference powers like the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. Without Lillard’s scoring punch, Milwaukee’s playoff hopes rest squarely on Giannis’s broad shoulders.
For Antetokounmpo, the summer’s grind in Europe could be a blessing in disguise. Battling through the bruising defenses of EuroBasket might just sharpen his edge for the NBA season ahead. If he can find ways to thrive amid the chaos—drawing defenders, creating for teammates, and maintaining his trademark aggression—he could return to Milwaukee more battle-hardened than ever. And while MVP accolades may not be top of mind, both Greece and the Bucks are counting on their superstar to deliver when it matters most.
Looking ahead, the pressure is on from all sides. Greece’s group-stage battles will test Antetokounmpo’s adaptability and endurance, while the looming NBA campaign promises no letup. Every possession, every drive, every decision will be scrutinized by opponents, fans, and pundits alike. As the games begin, one thing is clear: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s quest for greatness is far from over, and the basketball world will be watching every step of the way.
With the EuroBasket tournament kicking off and the NBA season on the horizon, all eyes are on Giannis to see if he can once again rise above the noise and deliver for both club and country. The journey starts now, and the road ahead promises plenty of drama, challenge, and—if Antetokounmpo has his way—moments of pure basketball brilliance.
