Antetokounmpo: Accepting Criticism Is Part of the Job

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second triple-double of the season in the Miami Heat's 145-point win over the Indiana Pacers. The victory matters for the Heat because the team began to recover after losing its first four games, winning two games in a row.

Speaking after the game, Antetokounmpo said that when the defense found its rhythm, it made the offense easier. He noted that holding the opponent to 19 points in the second half was the team's goal. He added that the team had played inconsistently against Atlanta as well, but in this game it kept pressuring the opponent.

The star player admitted that the team's desire to win the first two games created pressure and that the players felt some tension at times. In his view, in this game the players played tighter without panicking, and that made the difference.

Antetokounmpo also shared his thoughts on criticism. He said a professional athlete's performance is constantly evaluated, sometimes called the worst and sometimes the best. In his view, the truth lies somewhere between those extremes. What matters, he said, is staying consistent, doing your own job, and making sure the next player also does his job.