Report: Gary Payton to mentor Giannis Antetokounmpo

[Milbuck]

Jason Kidd had a vision going to Milwaukee: to see Giannis Antetokounmpo running the point for the Bucks from the “1” position. The new coach of the “Bucks” is not only determined to implement this idea, but will have the help of one of the top point guards of the 90s in this effort: Gary Payton.

Gary Payton is in Athens today and at an event held during the afternoon in the northern suburbs, he revealed that he has agreed with the Bucks to assume the role of ‘Special Advisor’ for Giannis Antetokounmpo during next season. The “Glove” will start work during pre-season, which will begin at the end of the month, and said that he has met with the 19 year old forward in Las Vegas, as well as with Jason Kidd, with whom he has a long friendship from the years they have both played in the NBA.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...antetokounmpo/

This could be really, really helpful for Giannis...J-Kidd is already gonna be there to mentor him and help him hone his playmaking abilities, and now he'll have Payton there to take his competitive mindset and intensity to a new level.. He's already shown a mean streak on the court, an edge to his game that you need to be a great player. Now he's got one of the toughest, most tenacious PGs of all time to help him develop this mentality even more..

First we have Jason Kidd helping this kid's offensive game..







And now Gary Payton helping someone who already has insane defensive potential..





And take his intensity to a whole new level..

[TheMilkyBarKid]

Pretty smart of Kidd, if this works out they have a huge mismatch advantage, otherwise giannis will likely improve his passing and D. It's a no lose situation.

[Fowl]

I truly believe Giannis is going to be a superstar.

[no pun intended]

Man, if G becomes a superstar, Milbuck is gonna prove so many haters wrong.

[FashionIssues]

You mean he's in a Payton hood clinic?

[Bobby13]

[BoutPractice]

An experiment if there ever was one.

It could backfire spectacularly... or turn him into one of the most uniquely feared players in the league.

[CeltsGarlic]

I was making the same face

I have no idea I havent seen this play before.. That dunk .. maaan

[StephHamann]

The Bucks will stink and if he gets good the Lakers will get him.

[R.I.P.]

Trying to have a 6

[Nikola_]

[Real Men Wear Green]

[QUOTE=R.I.P.]Trying to have a 6

[BoutPractice]

Magic is probably not as tall as listed, but still... I don't see how the very concept of having a 6'10 PG is a terrible idea when two of the three best PGs in NBA history were 6'7 or more (Oscar would probably be listed as 6'7 today, at worst 6'6). Then there's Pippen, LeBron...

Not saying Giannis is anywhere near as good as those guys, but the very idea of a tall PG being misguided? I disagree.

Recently you also have MCW at nearly 6'7, and most of the great PGs in contemporary decades have been 6'3 at least.

[Milbuck]

An experiment if there ever was one.

It could backfire spectacularly... or turn him into one of the most uniquely feared players in the league.

Or both, which is what I'm hoping.

If Kidd goes through with this, where Giannis isn't just playing point-forward at the 3 but actually plays and guards the 1, we're going to lose a lot of games. Not because Giannis isn't capable or he doesn't have the vision..but he's just so young, so inexperienced at this level it's gonna take a few years..he's just 2 months older than Wiggins. And that's okay because we'll gladly take another top 5-7 pick.

And whether it works or not, it should refine his playmaking/ballhanding abilities which he's already showing to be great for his size.

Someone else said it..it's a win win situation.

[Milbuck]

I truly believe Giannis is going to be a superstar.

Man, if G becomes a superstar, Milbuck is gonna prove so many haters wrong.

That's the plan