Veteran big man Miroslav Raduljica was teammates with rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Milwaukee Bucks for a season (2013-14).

Raduljica had a front-row seat to the beginnings of what has since turned out to be an all-time career. However, as much as he praised 'The Greek Freak' for his willingness to work hard, he gave even more credit to the Bucks' coaches for developing him into the player he has become.

Speaking on the Ozbiljno Neozbiljni podcast on Sunday, the Serbian 7-footer claimed that the staff in Milwaukee is capable of molding anyone into a "beast."  

"He had a strong work ethic, and he listened to everything they told him," Raduljica said. "They can turn almost anyone into what they want them to be. They're right 99 percent of the time. If they have a plan to develop someone into a player, they make it happen."

Raduljica — who played in 48 games for the Bucks before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and then waived — reiterated that he means no disrespect to Antetokounmpo when he says that he prefers to see skill over power when watching basketball.

He credited Giannis for his drive, but said he doesn't think he is an extraordinary basketball talent. He does, though, have the gift of being able to work extremely hard, which Raduljica thinks is even more important.

However, as far as how Giannis plays the game, Raduljica said: "I just can't watch that. That's not basketball to me. I'm mentioning him because I know him, but the same goes for other players too."

Raduljica added that bulking yourself up like a beast and charging at the basket is not an attractive way of playing the sport. To him, you need to be able to knock down a three-pointer, have a jump shot, or have a go-to "fake" or move. He likened Antetokounmpo's euro step and athleticism inside to "jumping over someone like you're on stilts." 

Whether you like it or not, Raduljica's opinion likely does hold some weight in Serbia, where he helped the national team win a silver Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

But it is also fair to say that the way Giannis plays the game has served him quite well thus far.

It didn't take Antetokounmpo too long before he became one of the most dominant forces in NBA history. 

Not everybody has to be a fan of his style of play, but it is at times hard to rationalize the passive-aggressive comments in Raduljica's nature, having seen what a player has gone on to accomplish. Greatness must be given the flowers it deserves. 

Antetokounmpo is now taking his talents to the Miami Heat, teaming up with Bam Adebayo in pursuit of his second championship. He leaves behind a 13-year legacy in Milwaukee that likely will never be matched. 

A two-time MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year, one-time NBA Cup MVP, 10-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA (5x First Team), and five-time All-Defensive Team (4x First Team) selection — the accolades speak for themselves. 

Giannis departs Milwaukee after helping the franchise snap one of the longest championship droughts in the sport. The NBA title he led the Bucks to in 2021 came 50 years after they last won — with a team anchored by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. 

Antetokounmpo was the unquestioned Finals MVP after dropping 50 points on the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to close out the series.

The Bucks' all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and triple-doubles — Giannis' jersey will be retired as soon as he calls it a day on his career.

Antetokounmpo and Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) are the only players in league history to lead a single franchise in four primary statistical categories.

Giannis became the first player ever to finish a regular season in the top 20 across all five major statistical categories in 2016-17. In 2020, he joined Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as just the third player ever to win the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.

Antetokounmpo doesn't have anything left to prove in his career. But he wants to. And should he help the Heat to its fourth banner, he would enter air even rarer than the one he is currently in.