The top picks in the NBA Draft are usually expected to become the best players in the league. However, sometimes, a few guys tend to break the cycle. Giannis Antetounmpo is a perfect example of how hard work can sometimes overpower talent.
The Milwaukee Bucks used the No. 15 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft to welcome Giannis to the organization. Since then, Antetokounmpo has achieved great things, including an NBA Championship in 2021.
Today, many fans wonder how different his career would have turned out if the Bucks hadn't drafted him. In fact, The Greek Freak was almost drafted by the Dallas Mavericks .
Dirk shares a hilarious Antetokounmpo draft story
In 2013, Dirk Nowitzki entered the final stages of his NBA career. However, he was still a talented forward and an important figure in the Mavericks organization. The Basketball Hall of Famer recently shared a funny story about how the Mavs almost drafted Giannis in 2013.
"It's actually a funny story. I was in the draft room when Giannis was in the draft," Nowitzki said on the Thanalysis show . "So, we had a pretty high pick because we didn't have a great season, and one of our GMs is like, 'We need to draft Giannis.' He puts on the video, and it was this grainy footage from second division in Greece. I'm like, 'What? This kid is this skinny.' I'm like, 'That is hilarious.'"
If the Mavericks had drafted the Greek Freak, he could have become a perfect replacement for Nowitzki. After all, Giannis has evolved into a power forward, albeit starting out as a small forward.
Related: "I am more disappointed today than I was back when I was not selected" -Isiah Thomas on handshake snub as the reason he didn't make the Dream Team
Nowitzki applauds basketball's worldwide growth
A few decades ago, the top players in the NBA were mostly home-grown talents. Nowadays, fans find many international players dominating the league. Guys like Giannis, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic are currently some of the top players in the NBA.
On the same podcast, Dirk applauded Antetokounmpo for becoming the player he is today while praising the league's international talent level.
"That just shows how far the game has come and the scouts seeing everybody now, and so, yeah, he's been an incredible talent in our league," the 2011 NBA champion added.
Right now, there aren't many players better than the Bucks veteran. Once he decides to call it quits on his career, Antetokounmpo is well and truly on a path to becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, Giannis' retirement is still in the distant future, as he is still in the prime of his career.
Related: Mark Cuban didn't allow Donnie Nelson to draft Giannis: "We have a plan; we're going to stick to it"
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