Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Uses Tom Cruise to Explain Playoff Plan

The NBA superstar used an unusual analogy to explain the playoff plan he has this year.

Apr 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Karlo Matkovic (17) reach for a rebound in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks have had some heartbreaking playoff losses in the last few years since winning the NBA title in 2021. They have been trying to get that elusive second title, and things have not gone their way.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it very clear that he wants to be competing for titles every single year that he is in Milwaukee. He wants to win more than one ring.

Last season, it was a different kind of heartbreak for the Bucks as Antetokounmpo missed the entire season due to a calf injury. He had to sit on the sidelines as the Bucks got eliminated by the Pacers.

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Antetokounmpo understands what it takes to win it all to avoid that pain.Recently, he evoked Tom Cruise to help describe the recent playoff plan he's developed.

“I love playing in, how can I say, pressure, stressful situations,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m like Tom Cruise. Have you ever seen the movies, the Tom Cruise movies that he does all the stunts? I think he gets an adrenaline rush. I love being there again.”

Antetokounmpo loves being in the middle of all the action. He loves being the guy with all of the pressure on his shoulders.

Now that Damian Lillard has been cleared from his DVT to play in the playoffs, Antetokounmpo won't have quite as much pressure, which is good. He needs someone that he can count on to hit big shots when he gets double-teamed.

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With the Bucks taking on Indiana, Antetokounmpo has a chance to get revenge on a team that he didn't get to face in the playoffs a year ago. He does not like the Pacers, either.

Antetokounmpo will try his hardest to win this series and every other series they have in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks will be a really tough out as long as Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to go.

During the regular season, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. He shot 60.1 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

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