Gary Payton advising Giannis Antetokounmpo on playing point guard
By Wes Goldberg
Even in sports, the news cycle is filled with so much negativity. Especially now the the serious concerns facing the NFL and NBA, it can be tough to find something that makes you happy. Well, when I read that new Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd will be bringing on Gary Payton to help teach Giannis “CTRL+C” Antetokounmpo how to play point guard, this was my reaction.
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"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 next season. The “Glove” will start work during the pre-season 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 both played in the NBA."
Antetokounmpo is said to still be growing, and is currently 6-foot-11.
Kidd experimented with him at point guard during the Las Vegas Summer League and hinted he would continue to play him there this season. For the 19-year-old, it doesn’t get much better than having Kidd and Payton teaching you the ways of the 1.
If he can truly learn to run the point, his athleticism and height would make him a matchup nightmare in the NBA.
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