Giannis Antetokounmpo will sleep better now that he's Bam Adebayo's teammate

Giannis Antetokounmpo Bam Adebayo Miami Heat — (Mandatory Credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat officially introduced Giannis Antetokounmpo to the public on Thursday, nearly one month after acquiring him from the Milwaukee Bucks in a pre-draft blockbuster.

Following the move, many are anticipating Antetokounmpo getting to play alongside longtime Heat center and team captain, Bam Adebayo. The two shared myriad battles against one another. Now, Antetokounmpo is looking forward to not only competing against Adebayo, but also getting more regulated sleep, now that they’re on the same team.

“I played against him a lot throughout the years,” Antetokounmpo said. “Usually, I get eight hours of sleep before I play anybody. With Bam, I got 12 hours of sleep because I know he’ll go. He’ll play very hard, is very competitive, and he’ll do whatever he can do to win the game.

“I think a lot of people around the league are that way, but not not everybody. In the percentile, Bam is 99.9 percent — you know he is a fighter and a worker.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo holds Bam Adebayo, Heat in high regard:

Later in the press conference, when asked about what he knows about the city of Miami, Antetokounmpo remarked that he didn’t know much — in part because of preparing for Adebayo and the Heat.

“I don’t know a lot about the city because usually when I come and play, I try to stay in my hotel room and try to get ready,” he said. “I told you I get 12 hours of sleep before I play the Miami Heat and Bam.”

Adebayo and the Heat have, historically, defended their now-superstar exceptionally well in their history. Excluding the postseason, in 39 career games against Miami, Antetokounmpo’s averaged just 20.3 points, his fewest against any single team. Furthermore, he’s shot just 52.1 percent from the floor (third-worst) with a 58.2 true shooting percentage — the second worst to only Golden State (56.6 TS%).

In 23 games against Adebayo, Antetokounmpo has averaged 22.9 points on 58.5 percent true shooting.

The two-time MVP can shake those demons off his shoulders, as him and his new running mate are expected to be one of the best defensive tandems of this generation.

“Basketball wise, I think when the two head of the snakes are very competitive, they work hard, they’re very disciplined — I think everybody else is going to follow our lead,” he said. “I feel like, as a team, as a whole, we’re going to be good. But it starts with me and Bam.

“I’m excited to compete with him, and I’m excited to be on the same side as him after 9-10 years.”