Giannis Antetokounmpo was determined to work out with his idol Kobe Bryant this summer and was granted his wish.The workout was scheduled in L.A. last month after the Milwaukee Bucks superstar stated on multiple occasions last season that he wanted the opportunity to spend time with Bryant.It would be an understatement to say he was excited to take to the court with the Los Angeles Lakers legend.The Greek Freak was so keen to get down to business that he showed up extremely early."The workout was at 2:30. I was there at 11," Antetokounmpo said, according to Ben Steele of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel."I landed at 9, picked up my bag, took a car there. I got some treatment, got some shots. Worked a little bit on my body, and then got some shots again."And then 10 minutes before he came in, I was hanging out, doing some free throws. Then he got in and we started working out."Kobe is known for being a gym rat as he still gets up in the early hours of the morning despite his retirement.

Mamba mentality

Antetokounmpo wanted to show the Black Mamba that he has that same mentality and puts the work in.

"I just wanted to show him that I am not here to mess around," Antetokounmpo said. "I'm not here for no PR reasons. None of that. I'm here to get better. Simple as that.

"I think he understands that. And that's why we both took that practice really, really serious.

"He was open about what he thinks about the game, what he thinks about me as a player and what he thinks about the Bucks."

The two-time All-Star will once again be an MVP candidate this season and will surely take another leap.

The 23-year-old posted a career-high 26.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last year while also shooting a career-best 52.9 percent from the field.

With LeBron James joining the Lakers, Antetokounmpo is arguably the best player in the Eastern Conference now.

He will be keen to prove that by taking his game to a new level this year and turning the Bucks into a serious threat in the east.

The All-NBA forward has led them to the playoffs in consecutive campaigns but they've fallen in the first round on both occasions.

This could be the season where they finally get over that hump and fulfil their potential.

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