Some photos and a quick translation from NBA Greece interview
http://nba.sport24.gr/article/3921987/o-giannis-kai-ta-1001-sout (but it is probably all greek to you
)
The Hug (I don't remember where I got the image I think from someone's comments on Buck's FB):
The family :
Kostas is the one on far left, Alexis is the youngest ( I think 15-16 and growing rapidly) and mom/dad
Here is the interview (I translated it very quickly and a bit rough, so forgive me in advance,):
Gianni that was the most important night of your career. Yourfirst triple double, meeting Kobe Bryant. Beautiful moments. I saw that you went straight to Kobe after the match. What did he say to you ?
What did he tell me ? That I have to keep working. Keep working because I can do amazing things on the NBA and it is up to me and whether I will keep working or not. I just wnated to go and speak to him. A I said this is the second time we play agaisnt each other. I haven't gotten used to him, like Kevin Durant or LeBron (James) and Paul George, who I also saw on the All Star games. I haven't really "lived" him. He wa shidden. Liek a snake. Like a Black Mamba, which is his nickname. It was a great experiencem we won and i got to talk to Kobe.
You went rushing out of the locker rooms. You took your mother , father and brothers to the Laker's Locker Room, coach Kidd was also there, and wanted to talk to Kobe. What happened there ?
My mother was driving me crazy. she wanted a photo. She already told me a week ago: «If I don't get a photo with Kobe, I will kick your a**». I told her not to worry». She sent me 15 SMS. After the end of the match I found her SMS from half time and after then end of the match ! I told myself , she has to take the picture ! I took them to the locker room we found Kobe and took the picture. He (Kobe) is a great guy.
What did your mother tell Kobe?
She said thank you. She was wearing his Jersey, it is the first time she wasn't wearing mine !
What did Kobe advice you to do in order to become better. What did he tell you ?
I have to keep doing what I am already doing and play hard. There are players thatake a night off. They are not playing hard. He practiced every night. That is the difference players like Kobe , Jordan, LeBron, Magic or Shaq have. He told me never to take a day off. That is your job anf you have to do it.
Did he tell you , what he usually says, that Summer is the most important period for practising ?
Yes he did. And I already know it . I know how hard I work . It is different though to hear it from Kobe. I didn't know though how much other players practise. But Iam sure I work hard. He told me he shoots 1000 times a day.
How much do you shoot ?
I do around 500. Now I know I have to do 1.001 to surpass him. I listened to his advice. I heard what he did during the summer and I know what to do. When I retire I have to have the same motto.Like Kobe's, «I gave everything for Basket». That is what I have to do too. Give everything
What does today's triple double mean to you. Tonight's performance and the way the team played ?
We played well.Distributed the ball. Run. Laker'S where also tired due to the Chicago game. We played well in transition, run, good defence and we won.
What happend at the dunk (with Midds passing the board using the board) ?
I didn't expect it. I saw it at the last moment and thought «you have to catch it and make it». It was a nice highlight.
What will you "keep" after tonight. What will you still be discussing after a month ?
Kobe's advice and the smile of my family.
Enjoy guys !
Cheers,
Alex
