MIAMI — Giannis Antetokounmpo was on his flight to Miami from Atlanta recent off watching Argentina advance to the World Cup closing, when his thoughts began to marvel.
The subsequent in an extended line of superstars to hitch the Heat beneath the path of Pat Riley began serious about one other celebrity that arrived in South Florida three years in the past. The one he noticed will his group previous England — Argentina legend Lionel Messi.
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The man thought-about the best athlete ever to return out of Greece wish to emulate his counterpart from Argentina.
“Seeing that game yesterday, we witnessed greatness, right?” Giannis stated Thursday, July 16 throughout a celebration for his arrival in South Florida on the Kaseya Center, the two-time NBA MVP’s new dwelling.
“Messi might go down as one of the best athletes of all time. He has (eight) MVPs , he might have two World Cup finals wins, he has (three) Champions League championships. So he’s out there, with other athletes, Michael Jordan, Selena Williams, Djokovic, Michael Phelps. At the end of the day, when you see that, you definitely get inspired to take care of your body, to keep on doing that thing for your team.”
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Miami Heat President Pat Riley (L) and head coach Erik Spoelstra (R) pose for a photograph with Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 and head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat communicate to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Bobby Portis #95 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Miami Heat President Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra pose for a photograph with Bobby Portis #95 of the Miami Heat throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Bobby Portis #95 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Bobby Portis #95 and head coach Erik Spoelstra shake fingers throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Miami Heat President Pat Riley (L) and head coach Erik Spoelstra (R) pose for a photograph with Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Miami Heat President Pat Riley speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention for Bobby Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami reacts throughout an introductory press convention for Giannis Antetokounmpo at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Miami Heat President Pat Riley, Giannis Antetokounmpo #7, and head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat communicate to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis launched with Miami Heat
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Bobby Portis #95 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media throughout an introductory press convention at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Giannis known as Messi the “blueprint,” and illustrated it by describing one play from Thursday’s soccer match, when he was pushed down and his teammates sprinted to assist him up.
“You have to earn that,” Giannis stated. “The respect that he has from his teammates, that’s earned. And … that’s the blueprint. LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, they set the blueprint you just have to follow.”
Giannis already has adopted one path taken by Messi. The one which landed him in Miami. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he’s a person with expertise so distinctive he is been labeled the Greek Freak.
“It’s like nirvana to me,” Riley stated. “He wants to win and he wants to win big. We want to win … and we’re not waiting. We’re not going to wait. Our plan is to go for it right from the beginning.
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“It’s an amazing day. It’s only a nice day.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo admits to “snooping” around Pat Riley’s office
Jul 16, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (7) reacts throughout his introductory press convention at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Less than 24 hours earlier than the beginning of the NBA draft, on June 22, The Heat and Milwaukee Bucks finalized the deal that included six gamers and a slew of picks, the important thing figures being Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami; Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware to Milwaukee.
Riley described that telephone name from common supervisor Andy Elisburg as “touchdown the aircraft.” And for Riley, it was one of those moves that during a more than four-decade career as an executive/coach few have the ingenuity and creativity to pull off.
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Giannis himself was so intrigued by Riley that he told his new boss that during his early years in the league, on a day the Bucks were was using the Heat’s practice court, he wandered into Riley’s office.
“I used to be like, stooping round,” Giannis said, “to type of see what the nice Pat Riley was about.”
Now he knows he’s about landing the plane.
When that plane carrying Giannis landed in Miami, that’s when everything hit him. New city. New team. New facilities.
After 13 years in Milwaukee.
“You do not know the place your locker is,” he said. “You do not know the place you are going to get therapy. You do not even know how one can get entry to the courtroom. All these items are new.”
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And you know what else is new. Miami.
“It’s heat, it is hotter than Milwaukee,” Giannis said in the most obvious statement of the day before moving on to what he does not like about this region.
“I do not like what you guys name, geckos, geckos? I do not like these,” he said before being told they are iguanas.
“Iguanas? I do not like these,” he said. “Yeah, these acquired to keep away from me.”
But it’s not only iguanas that had Giannis a big anxious this week. He admitted to feeling “susceptible” and relayed some deep feelings not many superstars ever would make public.
“Getting the telephone name from Mr. Pat gave me a variety of closure,” he said about the first call from Riley. “I used to be like, okay, now it is a new starting. And I used to be being a bit of bit susceptible with him.
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“I know you guys think I’m this big, tough, big plane, this stuff. But at the end of the day I’m human, you know, I have my emotions and I was like … I’m scared, you know, I’m like, I’m kind of scared. This is different. I never expected.”
Still, Giannis knew it was crucial. He had nothing however good issues to say about Milwaukee, but additionally realizes it was time.
“I enjoy basketball,” Giannis stated. “I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy getting better. I’ve accomplished a lot of things in my career, but one of my goals is to win another championship. I feel like this is the best route for me to do that and I’m ready for the challenge.
“As I stated, I really like stress. I feel stress brings one of the best out of me. That’s what I’ve seen to date in my profession. I do not like being in a consolation zone. And I feel that is the proper place to be. I’m excited to be right here.”
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And he is not the only one. Coach Erik Spoelstra surely is fantasizing about a defense anchored by Giannis and Bam Adebayo. But when he listened to Giannis — one of the most humble superstars in all of sports — speak about what he expects from the longest tenured coach in the NBA, Spoelstra likely can not help but feel even more rejuvenated.
“I simply wish to be coached exhausting,” he said. “I really feel like as soon as the second I’m coach exhausting, everyone else goes to comply with. I do not wish to be sugarcoated. I’ve lots of people like that in my life that attempt to method me and attempt to make me really feel good. I do not want that. I want the reality. I want the proper suggestions.”
Sixteen years ago, in this same arena, on the same end of the floor, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh rose from the floor amidst smoke and a frenzied crowd that descended about downtown for an introductory press conference that was unlike anything like it ever before.
That era of the Big Three brought Miami four consecutive Finals appearances and two titles.
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Now we await the results of the next potentially great era in Heat basketball.
“He is a drive of will, a drive of nature, has an absolute will to win,” Spoelstra said. “On any given day, or 12 months, he could be one of the best on the planet.
“We have big expectations, big dreams and you need somebody like this man right here to be able to accomplish what you want to accomplish.”
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports activities columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He could be reached at [email protected].
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