Giannis Antetokounmpo has led the Milwaukee Bucks to three straight wins to take the 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals over the Phoenix Suns.

Playing incredible defense and getting to the rim for high efficient shots on offense, he’s also a humble and confident player who’s very easy to root for.

Over the weekend, Giannis shared some inspiring comments during a press conference that ended up going viral, and I’d like to unpack his challenging truths today.

When this 26-year-old player was asked about the ego part of playing in the NBA, he responded to the reporter by saying,

“When you focus on the past, that’s your ego…I did this, we were able to beat this team 4-0, I did this in the past, I won that in the past.

“When I focus on the future, it’s my pride…’Yeah, next game, Game 5, I do this and this and this. I’m going to dominate.’ That’s your pride talking. It doesn’t happen.

“I try to focus on the moment, in the present. That’s humility. That’s being humble. That’s not setting no expectation. That’s going out there, enjoying the game, competing at a high level…I think I’ve had people throughout my life that helped me with that. But that is a skill that I’ve tried to master…It’s been working so far, so I’m not going to stop.”

We can all be encouraged by Giannis’ refreshing perspective. He’s speaking the truth about our ego taking over when we dwell on past accomplishments and take credit for previous “wins.”

Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) gives us this important warning:

“When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.”

Giannis is also right when he talks about the problem of being too focused on the future. That mindset can become very prideful when we make declarations about what we think we’re going to do.

Proverbs 27:1 (ESV) reminds us, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

James elaborates on this in chapter 4, verses 13-16 (ESV): “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ — yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

Although I struggle with thinking too much about what’s next, I desire to experience God and His presence in the present, and cherish each moment of the journey, humbly knowing that tomorrow isn’t promised.

There’s something special yet challenging about being able to concentrate on right now and what God has in store for us today without our ego from the past and our pride about the future getting in the way.

So today, let’s choose to implement the Giannis mindset and say, “I try to focus on the moment, in the present. That’s humility.”

By being present and humble, we can surrender to God and enjoy Him for who He is…and trust that He’s the one who holds our future.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I humble myself before You, acknowledging Your power and goodness. Please help me to be aware of your presence and willing to be more focused on the present. Forgive me for being so arrogant and prideful about my past and my future. I trust You’re in control and thank you for Your grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. What is your approach to being present?

  2. Are you more likely to allow your ego about your past accomplishments or your pride about the future to get in the way of being present?