All-Star 2025 was met with mixed reviews by fans, but the new format didn’t stop players like Giannis Antetokounmpo from having a good time. The Milwaukee Bucks star got to interact with many of his peers in the league as well as other celebrities, some of which was captured on his mic’d up.
Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chucks Global Stars forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks during player introductions before the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Giannis Laughed With Victor Wembanyama About Coming Off the Bench
Antetokounmpo was selected as a member of Charles Barkley’s team for the 4-team tournament on Sunday and was teammates with San Antonio Spurs prodigy Victor Wembanyama. Although the Greek Freak was already going to be sidelined for the game due to a lingering calf issue, Wembanyama, who earlier had voiced that he would be approaching All-Star Weekend with a high level of focus and determination, was also not in the starting lineup for Team Chuck. This fact led Antetokounmpo to make a light-hearted comment to the French superstar.
Hey brother, you will never come off the bench in your career. What are you talking about? What!? Brother you will never come off the bench!
Jan 31, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The former number one pick, “Wemby” has not had to come off the bench in his career when healthy. The same cannot be said for Antetokounmpo, who entered the NBA as a “project” and only started in 23 games his rookie year and did not become a full-time starter until the following season.
There are many paths to NBA stardom, and while Giannis and Victor have each taken their own path, they seemed to enjoy being teammates at All-Star Weekend.
Heat @ Mavericks – NBA Game Preview for February 13, 2025 08:30 PM EST
Giannis Made Sure Charles Barkley Know He Wouldn’t Be Able to Guard the Likes of Wembanyama or Nikola Jokic
As warm-ups commenced, Giannis chopped it up with his coach and made sure to let Barkley that he would not have been able to guard the All-Star bigs on his team back in the day.
Back in the day, you couldn’t guard him. You could not guard him. So anything you say on TV that does not matter. You never face something like this. I got to face [Wembanyama]. I got to face [Jokic]. This is what I got to deal with.
The NBA has never seen players like Wembanyama or Nikola Jokic, both modern bigs with incredibly rare skillsets. While Barkley was known for having plenty of guard skill back in his day, both Wemby and the Joker have that and more at over 7 feet tall. Barkley could not help but laugh at Giannis’ comments and agreed that he would not have been able to stop them.
Jan 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) guards in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Antetokounmpo Family Got in on the Action Despite Giannis Not Playing
Although the Bucks star was not playing in the game, Giannis was able to sit courtside with his eldest children, Liam and Maverick. After introducing them to the referee and helping them listen in the pre-game huddle, the trio then sat on the end of the bench to enjoy the matchup between Chuck’s International Stars and Kenny’s Young Stars.
Nov 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) plays with his son, Maverick Shai, 3, during warmups before game against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The kids certainly seemed to be having a blast, with plenty of screaming and cheering, some of which was directly into the microphone. Giannis at one point told his sons to “stay quiet now so they can focus” in a moment that all parents will be able to relate to.
