Every good team needs a good leader and for the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken on that role and is enjoying taking the team's young plays under his wing.

Of course, the Greek Freak is only 22 himself but after four years with the Bucks, he has developed into their franchise player and a leadership role has come with that. 

He leads Milwaukee in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, so unsurprisingly his voice in the locker room commands respect. 

After the Bucks' recent 102-99 overtime win against the Detroit Pistons, Antetokounmpo revealed an interesting tactic he used to motivate rookie Thon Maker during that game.

"I told him, “To play in this game, you don’t have to hesitate. If you hesitate” – I told him, actually in the overtime, I told him – “If you hesitate, I’m going to punch you. So, shoot the ball whenever you get it,” he said.

Judging by the size of Antetokounmpo's hands and his long frame, that definitely wasn't something Maker wanted to experience. 

The 20-year-old got the message loud and clear and ended the game with a career-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including five points in overtime and a big three-pointer.

"He brings energy. Rebounds the ball. He runs the floor. He does a little bit of everything," Antetokounmpo said. "But the most important thing is listening, and he’s learning."

If Maker continues to respond to threats in this manner, Giannis may continue to throw them in his direction. 

The Bucks are currently on a three-game winning streak and have found themselves in fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and will return to the playoffs.