Giannis wants to work with Kobe in L.A. this summer

The Greek Freak hopes he gets a chance to pick the brain of the Black Mamba.

Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the Milwaukee Bucks' sole representative Sunday at the 67th NBA All-Star Game, though the 23-year-old plans to be busy networking throughout the weekend. One of his most sought-after connections will be retired shooting guard Kobe Bryant, who is expected to spearhead a Nike event Friday in which Antetokoumpo will also participate.

"When I go to that event, I'm going to try to sneak an opportunity to talk to him,” Antetokounmpo told ESPN's Eric Nehm. “I want to ask him if I can come to L.A. to work with him."

Antetokounmpo and Kobe only crossed paths twice on the court as players; first in a game between the Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 15, 2015, then again two months later on Feb. 22, 2016. Despite their limited meetings, Bryant heaped praise on Antetokounmpo back in August when he publicly challenged the Greek Star to win MVP honors. He showed more appreciation for Antetokounmpo's game in November when he singled him out as one of two players in the league with "Mamba mentality" (the other being Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving).

After hearing Bryant was assisting NBA players looking for tutelage during the summer, Antetokounmpo wants to connect with the legend in a more personal setting beyond the gym.

"Not to just go out there and work out for two or three weeks, but to grab a dinner and see the way his mind thinks," the Bucks forward said. "To see if I'm on the right path.

"It's all about how he thinks. It's about how they think, how the greats think. How they think about the game. I want to see how he thinks about the game, how he sees the game, how he would play today, would he change something about the way he plays. Obviously, he's watched me play, and hopefully, he can give me some tips."