When thinking about building a dream team around a Milwaukee Bucks player, past or present, the immediate instinct might be to choose Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, whose dominance has defined the franchise’s modern era. However, if forced to look beyond Giannis, one name stands above the rest: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the legendary center who brought the Bucks their first and only NBA championship in 1971 (until Giannis led the team to another in 2021). Kareem’s unique combination of skill, versatility, and basketball IQ makes him the ideal cornerstone for constructing a championship-caliber team. A quick look at why Kareem would be better and then a dive into why Giannis is really, really bad as a team leader and building block.

Why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, originally drafted as Lew Alcindor by the Bucks in 1969, was a transformative force in the NBA. Standing at 7’2” with a wingspan that seemed to stretch across the court, Kareem was not just a physical specimen but a skilled technician. His signature skyhook—a virtually unblockable shot delivered with precision—made him a scoring machine. During his six seasons with the Bucks, he averaged 30.4 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, showcasing his ability to dominate both offensively and defensively. His 1971 MVP season, where he led the Bucks to a 66-16 record and a championship alongside Oscar Robertson, cemented his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Kareem’s appeal as a team-building centrepiece lies in his versatility. He could score from anywhere, rebound at an elite level, block shots, and facilitate plays with his passing. Unlike many big men of his era, Kareem wasn’t just a post presence; he was a complete player who could adapt to different styles of play. His basketball IQ and leadership also made him a coach’s dream, capable of elevating those around him. Building around Kareem means constructing a roster that maximises his strengths while addressing the few gaps in his game, such as perimeter defence and three-point shooting, which weren’t as critical in his era but are vital in today’s game.

Why Not Giannis?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a phenomenal player, but Kareem’s skill set offers more flexibility in team-building. Giannis thrives in a system with shooters to space the floor, as his limited outside shooting can clog the paint. Kareem, with his mid-range and post game, doesn’t require as much perimeter shooting to be effective, though this roster provides it anyway. Kareem’s defensive presence as a rim protector also gives him an edge over Giannis, whose defensive impact relies more on versatility than anchoring the paint. Finally, Kareem’s proven championship pedigree as the focal point of the 1971 Bucks gives him a slight edge in this hypothetical scenario.

While Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA’s most dominant players, having led the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship in 2021, there are arguments why he might not be the ideal cornerstone for building a championship team, particularly when considering his style of play in the context of modern NBA trends. Below is a detailed list of reasons why Giannis’s game may be seen as less compatible with the needs of today’s NBA for constructing a championship roster, though it’s worth noting that these points are relative and don’t negate his elite status.

1. Limited Outside Shooting

• Issue: Giannis is not a reliable three-point shooter, with a career three-point percentage of 28.5% (as of the 2024-25 season). His mid-range game is also inconsistent, limiting his ability to stretch the floor.
• Impact on Team-Building: Modern NBA offenses prioritize spacing to create driving lanes and open three-point opportunities. Giannis’s lack of shooting allows defenses to sag off him, clogging the paint and forcing teammates to carry a heavier load as perimeter shooters. Building around him requires surrounding him with elite shooters (e.g., Khris Middleton, Damian Lillard), which can limit roster flexibility and increase reliance on specific player archetypes.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: Teams like the Golden State Warriors or Boston Celtics thrive with versatile shooters at every position, including big men like Kevin Durant or Kristaps Porziņģis. Giannis’s inability to shoot forces a more predictable offensive scheme.

2. Heavy Reliance on Paint Dominance

• Issue: Giannis’s game is centered on attacking the rim, using his size, speed, and athleticism to overpower defenders. He leads the league in points in the paint but relies heavily on this style.
• Impact on Team-Building: Defenses can counter Giannis by building a “wall” in the paint, as seen in the 2019 and 2020 playoffs against Toronto and Miami. This strategy dares him to shoot from outside, exposing his weaknesses. To compensate, the team needs strong playmakers and shooters to create space, which can be costly and difficult to sustain across a playoff run.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: The modern NBA favors offenses that can exploit mismatches through versatile scoring options. Players like Nikola Jokić or Joel Embiid, who can score from the post, mid-range, or beyond the arc, offer more diverse threats that are harder to scheme against.

3. Limited Playmaking in Half-Court Sets

• Issue: While Giannis averages around 5-6 assists per game, his playmaking is more effective in transition than in structured half-court offenses. His passing is solid but not at the level of elite facilitators like LeBron James or Jokić.
• Impact on Team-Building: Building a championship team often requires a primary ball-handler who can orchestrate complex half-court plays, especially in the playoffs when games slow down. Giannis’s limited ability to create for others in tight situations puts pressure on point guards or secondary creators, requiring the team to invest in players like Jrue Holiday or Damian Lillard to handle playmaking duties.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: Modern championship teams often have big men who double as primary facilitators (e.g., Jokić’s 9+ assists per game or Draymond Green’s high-IQ passing). Giannis’s playmaking, while improved, doesn’t match this level of versatility.

4. Defensive Versatility Has Limits

• Issue: Giannis used to be an elite defender, capable of guarding multiple positions and earning All-Defensive honours. However, his rim protection, while strong (1.1 blocks per game career average), is not as dominant as traditional centres like Rudy Gobert or Anthony Davis, and he can struggle against smaller, quicker guards on switches.
• Impact on Team-Building: In today’s switch-heavy defenses, teams need big men who can either anchor the paint or seamlessly switch onto guards. Giannis excels in help defense and roaming but can be exploited by teams with quick guards or stretch bigs, requiring complementary defenders like Brook Lopez to cover the rim.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: Players like Bam Adebayo or Draymond Green offer more switchability across all positions, while Giannis’s defensive impact is slightly less flexible in certain matchups, necessitating specific roster constructions to cover his weaknesses.

5. Free-Throw Shooting Struggles in Clutch Moments

• Issue: Giannis’s free-throw shooting has been a persistent weakness, with a career average of 64.7%. In high-pressure playoff games, his slow free-throw routine and inconsistent shooting can be exploited, as seen in games where opponents use the “Hack-a-Giannis” strategy.
• Impact on Team-Building: Championship teams need reliable clutch performers. Giannis’s free-throw woes can lead to late-game liabilities, forcing coaches to adjust strategies or rely on other players in crunch time. This requires a roster with strong closers, which can complicate lineup decisions.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: Modern NBA stars like Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant are trusted to close games with efficient scoring, including at the free-throw line. Giannis’s struggles in this area limit his reliability in tight situations.

6. High Usage Rate Limits Teammate Involvement

• Issue: Giannis’s usage rate is among the league’s highest (32.3% in 2023-24), reflecting his ball-dominant style. While effective, this can reduce touches for teammates and make the offense overly reliant on his production.
• Impact on Team-Building: Building around Giannis requires players who thrive off-ball, as his drives and post-ups demand the ball. This can limit the effectiveness of other ball-dominant stars unless they adapt (e.g., Lillard’s reduced role in Milwaukee). The team must prioritize role players who don’t need the ball, which can restrict roster diversity.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: Modern offenses often distribute usage more evenly, with players like Jokić or Luka Dončić creating for others while still scoring. Giannis’s style can sometimes stifle teammate involvement, requiring careful roster construction.

7. Playoff Predictability

• Issue: In playoff series, Giannis’s lack of a reliable jump shot and predictable driving style allow elite defensive teams to game-plan against him. Teams like the 2019 Raptors and 2020 Heat successfully limited his impact by crowding the paint and daring him to shoot.
• Impact on Team-Building: To counter this, the Bucks need elite shooting and secondary creators to punish defensive adjustments. This places a premium on acquiring high-cost talent, which can strain salary caps and limit depth. Without perfect roster construction, Giannis’s game can be neutralized in high-stakes series.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: Modern playoff success often hinges on unpredictability. Players like Jayson Tatum or Devin Booker, who can score in multiple ways, are harder to scheme against. Giannis’s more one-dimensional scoring profile requires specific countermeasures.

8. Physical Wear and Tear

• Issue: Giannis’s physical, high-energy style—relying on explosive drives and defensive hustle—puts significant strain on his body. He’s had injury concerns, like knee issues in the 2021 and 2023 playoffs, which can impact his availability.
• Impact on Team-Building: Building around Giannis requires a deep roster to compensate for potential injuries, as his absence significantly alters the team’s identity. This demands investment in quality backups, which can be challenging under salary cap constraints.
• Contrast with Modern Needs: Players with more finesse-based games (e.g., Durant’s jump-shooting or Curry’s off-ball movement) may have less physical wear, allowing for greater durability. Giannis’s style, while dominant, carries long-term risks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lack of outside shooting, reliance on paint scoring, limited half-court playmaking, and other factors make him a less flexible building block for a championship team in the modern NBA compared to more versatile stars. His style requires a roster heavy on shooters, defenders, and secondary creators, which can limit flexibility and increase costs. These incompatibilities with the spacing, versatility, and unpredictability demanded by today’s game make players like Kareem, with a more adaptable skill set, better anchors for a championship roster.