It makes sense, then that, as basketball becomes increasingly global, its stars will become less and less recognizably American, in both their attitudes and approach. Beyond that, though, American culture exalts an every-man-for-himself, win-at-all-costs ethos that simply doesn’t exist in most of the rest of the globe. Europeans tend to have a healthier work/life balance than Americans – a recent study found that Americans work hundreds of hours more per year than their European counterparts. Besides both having one NBA championship, one Finals MVP award, multiple league MVPs and seemingly aligned priorities, Jokić and Antetokounmpo share another common bond that may give insight into their ability to keep their stardom in healthy perspective: they both come from extremely humble beginnings in European countries (Serbia and Greece, respectively). The idea that there was another way of doing things, and still doing them well, was an affront to the first rule of NBA Superstar Fight Club: being a psychopath when it comes to winning is part of the deal.īut maybe it doesn’t have to be. The greatest in the sport, like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, were often as famous for their ambivalence towards being liked by their teammates and their obsession with winning as they were for their talents. ![]() Being an athlete is supposed to be about giving up everything to reach the ultimate goal. But the comments were also met with outrage by others: how dare he not be embarrassed at the way his team went out? Of course sports are about winning. Some, of course, appreciated Giannis’ ability to see the bigger picture, to understand that the definition of “success” is broader than hoisting a trophy. Some days it’s your turn, some days it’s not your turn. ![]() Some days you’re able to be successful, some days you’re not. The other nine years were a failure? That’s what you’re telling me?” he asked. He was asked by a reporter if he considered the season a “failure,” in light of the sky-high expectations for the team.
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