Giannis Antetokounmpo: 'I lied' about not having access to basketball hoop in quarantine

It appears that Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't as deprived of basketball as he led everyone to believe. 

The Milwaukee Bucks star said in April that he didn't have access to a basketball hoop while isolated at home during the season pause. He revealed Wednesday, though, that it was a lie. 

"Anybody out there that thought I didn't have access to a gym, they don't even know me," Antetokounmpo said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "So, I just said that to try to get a little bit ahead of the competition."

Antetokounmpo previously said the Bucks gave him exercise equipment like a bike, but that he was unable to play basketball, something that easily could've hindered his play when the season resumes on July 30.

Some players around the NBA really didn't have access to a hoop in quarantine, though. Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn't have a hoop installed at his home until the end of April.

If Antetokounmpo was trying to get ahead of the game, like he claims, it probably didn't affect how players around the league prepared for the season's resumption. Many probably didn't lose a step.