BROOKLYN -- Kristaps Porzingis isn't the only extraordinarily talented 21-year-old who could be learning from Dirk Nowitzki next summer. Giannis Antetokounmpo revealed Thursday that, when the Milwaukee Bucks visited the Dallas Mavericks in early November, he received an invitation from Nowitzki's personal coach, Holger Geschwindner.
"They're working out in Germany," Antetokounmpo said after the Bucks' 111-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets. "Germany is not far away from Greece, and he told me, if I want, he can come wherever I am or I can come to Germany and I could work out with him. That's a nice invitation. Hopefully my schedule with the national team and the Bucks, I can be able to make the trip there."
Porzingis got in with Nowitzki in part because New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek called Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and facilitated it. Here, perhaps Antetokounmpo is benefiting from having Jason Kidd, who won a title with Nowitzki in 2011, as his coach.
This potential partnership is significant not only because it's extremely cool. Geschwindner is Nowitzki's shooting guru, and Nowitzki is one of the best shooters in NBA history. If the two of them can help Antetokounpmo with his still-developing outside shot, it could transform his game.
Antetokounmpo is as aware as the rest of us that a reliable jumper is the difference between him being an All-Star and an MVP candidate. He said he's working every day on keeping the ball high when he catches it in spot-up situations, perfecting his follow through and simply shooting with confidence. Against the Nets, he had 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 2-for-5 from 3-point range.
"My main focus is to shoot without hesitating," Antetokounmpo said. "That's my main focus right now. I don't care if it goes in or it goes out. I just shoot. I have nothing to lose. Just let it fly."
