It's a bit of a change of pace for today's show. We bring on one of the great writers working in sports today, The Ringer's Mirin Fader, whose biography of Giannis Antetokounmpo, "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP" comes out August 10th. (Preorder wherever you get your books!) Having had a chance to preview the book, it's a fantastic look at a wholly unique player and the conditions and circumstances that made him what he is today. In a wide-ranging interview, we talk with Fader about the incredibly difficult process of writing a book about a guy who grew up in Greece during a pandemic, when travel is impossible and communication more complicated. What don't people understand about the way Giannis grew up, and the obstacles he encountered? How is his experience different than athletes who grow up poor, even desperately so, in the United States? What turned him into an MVP, someone who plays with incredible joy but equally incredible drive? What was the influence of his family? Of veteran players both on his team, and around the league (including Kobe Bryant)? Also, what does Mirin keep on her bookshelf? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: How to write a well-reported biography during a pandemic. What makes Giannis such a complex and intriguing biography subject? SEGMENT 2: It's easy to get caught up in the sheer wonderfulness and innocence of Giannis, and the way he came into the league. But he, and other Black immigrants in Greece, faced real and often violent discrimination. Giannis only received Greek citizenship after the family started looking to other countries in an effort to get a passport, and only after it was clear Giannis could become a star. What is different about growing up poor there vs. the experience so many athletes have in the US? SEGMENT 3: What is the role of family in Giannis' development? Of veteran leaders on his own team, like Caron Butler, or around the league, like Kobe Bryant? Fader tells the story of a meeting engineered between Giannis and Bryant and the impact it had. Plus, what getting the Bucks to the Finals means for a city like Milwaukee. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices