MIAMI — Giannis Antetokounmpo began his first training-camp week with the Heat by emphasizing championships over individual rankings as he prepares to play alongside Bam Adebayo.
Antetokounmpo appeared at Miami’s media day Monday, following the July trade that ended his time with Milwaukee. The Heat were scheduled to begin camp Tuesday in Boca Raton, where the work of fitting their new roster together will move onto the practice court.
“This is all new for me,” Antetokounmpo said. He faces adjustments in the locker room, the city and the team’s offensive and defensive systems, even as his stated objective remains familiar.
“And the goal is to win a championship. That’s the goal.”
The Heat are preparing to build much of their play around Antetokounmpo and Adebayo. Their size, passing and ability to operate in different areas of the floor give coach Erik Spoelstra several ways to organize the offense, but camp will begin establishing how those options work together.
Adebayo described the two as offensive hubs who can create opportunities for teammates. That puts attention on the decisions they make with the ball as much as on their individual scoring totals.
Antetokounmpo also addressed discussions about where he ranks among the league’s best players. “I don't care about being the best. I care about being a winner,” he said, according to WPTV’s account of media day.
Miami’s changes extend beyond its new headline player. Klay Thompson, Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. are also among the additions, joining returning players including Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell.
Spoelstra’s task is to make those pieces function together while preserving the strengths that brought them to Miami. The first days of practice will provide a more useful indication of roles and combinations than media-day statements alone.
For Antetokounmpo, the move has changed the uniform and the surroundings. His first public message as camp begins was that the outcome he wants from the season remains a championship.
