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Giannis Antetokounmpo Doesn’t Deserve Eastern Conference Player of the Week

The NBA’s Eastern Conference is a gauntlet of talent, and as we wrap up the first full week of the 2025-26 season (October 20-26), the league handed out its Player of the Week honors. Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo snagged the Eastern nod, averaging a monstrous 36.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 68.3% shooting across his games. On paper, it’s the kind of stat line that screams dominance—especially capping it off with a 40-point, 14-rebound, nine-assist masterpiece on Sunday. But let’s pump the brakes. In a week where the East’s guard play lit up the league and under-the-radar performers flipped narratives, Giannis’s award feels like a default nod to the Greek Freak’s reputation rather than a true meritocracy.

Player of the Week should celebrate the players who single-handedly elevated their teams amid tough schedules, overcame adversity, or simply outshone the field in impact. Giannis had a great week, sure, but he wasn’t the only one carrying a franchise on his back—or dropping jaws with rookie audacity. He played two games against two of the worse in the NBA and only one against a decent opponent (who the Bucks lost to).

Just look at that truly pathetic shot chart. It is Giannis so far this season. No mid range at all. No skill. No improvement. Still terrible at the free throw line. A one trick pony that we all know will fail in the playoffs.

LaMelo Ball: The Unicorn’s Triple-Double Machine Keeps Charlotte Dreaming

If we’re talking all-around brilliance, LaMelo Ball is the name that should’ve topped the ballot. The Hornets guard orchestrated Charlotte’s surprising 3-1 start, averaging 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and a league-high-tying 8.0 assists per game while flirting with triple-doubles nightly. In a Wednesday blowout win over the Wizards, LaMelo dropped 20 points and eight dimes with just three turnovers, turning a middling roster into a fast-break frenzy.

Giannis? He’s got Damian Lillard and a stacked frontcourt to lean on. LaMelo’s doing this with training wheels still on for the Hornets’ rebuild. His flair—those no-look passes and deep bombs—has Charlotte relevant again, and his efficiency (45.5% FG) proves he’s matured beyond the meme. Player of the Week isn’t just about raw points; it’s about making your team better. LaMelo did that in spades.

Jalen Brunson: The Knicks’ Ice-Cold Assassin in the Clutch

New York Knicks fans know Jalen Brunson as their closer, and this week, he was surgical. Averaging 30.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, Brunson torched defenses en route to a 3-1 Knicks record. His Sunday explosion—37 points, seven assists, and three steals in a heartbreaker against Miami—nearly willed the Knicks to victory despite a brutal road slate.

Compare that to Giannis: The Bucks faced softer competition, Brunson’s doing it from the guard spot, navigating double-teams with skill and style. Brunson’s 45.3% shooting isn’t gaudy, but his mid-range mastery and poise in crunch time (hello, game-winners) make him the East’s most reliable star right now. The Knicks are contenders because of him—not in spite of him.

VJ Edgecombe: The Rookie Phenom Who Stole the Show

Hold onto your seats: In his NBA debut week, VJ Edgecombe—the No. 2 overall pick out of Baylor, now lighting it up for the Heat—averaged 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 46.3% shooting. This 19-year-old Bahamian blur transitioned seamlessly from college dominance to pro savagery, capping preseason hype with real-season fireworks (think 26 points and five steals in a Friday thriller).

Rookies rarely sniff Player of the Week, but Edgecombe’s two-way terror—disrupting passing lanes while slashing to the rim—has Miami’s revamped backcourt humming alongside Jimmy Butler. Giannis is a veteran MVP; Edgecombe is rewriting the rookie script. In a league obsessed with youth, snubbing him feels like ignoring the next big thing.

Tyrese Maxey: Philly’s Speed Demon Drops 40-Bomb Fireworks

Tyrese Maxey is playing like a man possessed, averaging a blistering 34.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists to propel the Sixers to a 4-0 start. His midweek eruption—40 points on 7-of-9 from deep, plus six assists—dismantled the Knicks in a statement win, all while Embiid nurses a minor tweak.

Maxey’s 45.5% efficiency belies his explosiveness; he’s the East’s fastest scorer, turning turnovers into transition daggers. Giannis dominates inside; Maxey owns the break. With Philly eyeing another Finals run, Maxey’s week wasn’t just stats—it was a coronation. Why reward the expected when lightning like this strikes?

Donovan Mitchell: Spida’s October Onslaught Keeps Cleveland Elite

Donovan Mitchell feasted in October, averaging 35.5 points on 55.0% shooting, 11.0 boards, and 4.0 threes per game across the Cavs’ undefeated streak. Even in a “down” game (17 points Tuesday), he stuffed the stat sheet with steals and triples, but his highs—like 40-plus explosions—powered Cleveland’s defense-first identity.

At 30.0 points for the season already, Mitchell’s the East’s most dynamic scorer, blending volume with victory (Cavs 4-0). Giannis rebounds like a monster, but Mitchell’s creating his own gravity without a true big man next to him. Cleveland’s atop the standings because Spida’s dialed in—full stop.

Norman Powell: The Heat’s Unsung Sixth Man Turned Starter

Last but not least, Norman Powell—fresh off his offseason move to Miami—emerged as the Heat’s X-factor, averaging 21.5 points and a surprising 7.5 rebounds with 2.5 assists on 48.3% shooting. His Wednesday clinic (28 points, nine boards, four dimes) sparked a comeback win over the Knicks, proving he’s more than a microwave scorer—he’s a full-course meal.

Powell’s rebounding surge (up from last year’s 3.2) fits Miami’s gritty ethos perfectly, and at 24.0 points per game overall, he’s outpacing his career norms. Giannis is the Bucks’ alpha; Powell’s the Heat’s glue guy elevating a contender. In a week of guard galore, his versatility got slept on.

Time to Rethink the Award

Giannis is a lock for All-NBA, no doubt. He will probably set his bot army to fake vote for him (allegedly!) like they did the past seasons. But Player of the Week? This honor belongs to the innovators, the overachievers, the ones turning heads when no one’s watching. Ball’s vision, Brunson’s clutch gene, Edgecombe’s rookie rage, Maxey’s blaze, Mitchell’s firepower, and Powell’s grit all outshone the Freak this week. The East is deeper than ever. Stop defaulting to the big name and start celebrating the symphony. Giannis doesn’t impact games that matter. He played two easy opponents and failed when it mattered. Worse still, the way he plays is killing his team, a ball hog in every sense of the word.

October 27, 2025
Giannis with 40 means nothing

On paper, Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped another monster stat line—40 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists, nearly a triple-double with 2 steals and 2 blocks to boot. He shot an absurd 70% from the field (14-20 FG) and was basically a walking highlight reel. Stats don’t tell the whole story. Last night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, amid a shorthanded roster (no Kevin Porter Jr., Cole Anthony, or Kyle Kuzma), Giannis performance had some cracks that the Cavs exploited like a leaky defense in pickup ball.

The Shooting Splits: Efficient, But Not Elite

Giannis finished 14-of-20 from the field, which sounds like vintage Freak mode. But peel back the layers: That efficiency was built on paint dominance (think drives and putbacks), not the all-around threat we saw in his prime. He went 1-of-1 from deep—cool, but one attempt? In a game where Cleveland’s perimeter defense sagged off him just enough to dare a jumper, he didn’t test them. Last season, he averaged over 2 three-point attempts per game; here, it was a measly one. The Cavs packed the lane with Evan Mobley (23 points, 8 boards) and Jarrett Allen, forcing Giannis into that 11-of-16 free-throw line trip. Solid? Sure. But 69% from the stripe (11-16) isn’t closing territory—those five misses at the line were daggers in a five-point defeat.

And don’t get me started on true shooting percentage. At 74%, it’s good, but in a high-volume night like this, you’d want north of 80% to drag a depleted Bucks squad over the finish line. Donovan Mitchell (24 points, including 10 in the clutch fourth) and Sam Merrill (17 off the bench, tying Giannis for game-high at halftime) feasted because Giannis couldn’t stretch the floor. He again had 0/2 from mid range, exactly like previous two games of the season. Pathetic and it’s killing his team.

Rebounding: Volume Without Victory

Fourteen boards? That’s Giannis being Giannis—aggressive, physical, snatching every loose ball like it’s his birthright. But here’s the rub: The Bucks got out-rebounded 51-44 overall, with Cleveland grabbing seven more on the offensive glass for second-chance points that proved fatal. Giannis had the volume, but where were the contested boards against Mobley, who boxed him out masterfully? Midway through the third, the Cavs led the rebound battle 30-17 while up by 16. Milwaukee clawed back to tie it late, but those early misses on the glass let Cleveland build a cushion Giannis spent the whole second half erasing… only for it to slip away.

It’s like having the biggest hammer in the toolbox but forgetting the nails. The Bucks needed team rebounding to fuel transition buckets, but with Giannis logging heavy minutes (likely 38+), fatigue crept in.

Playmaking: Assists Galore, But Turnovers Tell a Different Tale

Nine dimes? Chef’s kiss. Giannis orchestrated like a maestro, finding cutters and kick-outs that kept Milwaukee in it during their third-quarter surge (they outscored Cleveland 34-24 to cut an 18-point deficit). But—and this is a big but—the Bucks coughed up 18 turnovers, leading to 24 Cleveland points. Giannis isn’t blameless here; in a game where ball-handling was thin without Porter and Anthony, he forced a few drives into traffic, resulting in live-ball turnovers that Mobley and Co. turned into fast breaks.

Remember that stretch in the second quarter where the Cavs ballooned their lead to 11 at half? A handful of those came off Milwaukee’s sloppiness, with Giannis’s aggressive style (love it, but risky) contributing. Cleveland had 10 steals—Lonzo Ball snagged a couple off high screens—and turned them into easy buckets. Assists are flashy, but in a one-possession game, those extra possessions killed the Bucks.

The Intangibles: Fatigue, Fouls, and Fourth-Quarter Fade

Giannis was probable with a toe sprain coming in, and you could see it in the fourth: He carried the load, scoring 12 of Milwaukee’s final 20, but the Bucks went ice-cold around him. With the game tied at 98, Cleveland ripped off a 7-0 run—Hunter’s step-back, Ball’s dagger three, Mitchell’s mid-ranger—and Giannis couldn’t buy a bucket in the final two minutes. He split free throws with 1:01 left to make it 112-107, but by then, the legs were gone.

Fouls, too: Giannis picked up his fourth late, limiting his aggression. And let’s be real—the Cavs were shorthanded too (no Darius Garland or Max Strus), yet their depth shone. Four guys in double figures (Mitchell, Mobley, Merrill, De’Andre Hunter at 17), while Milwaukee leaned hard on Giannis. Gary Trent Jr. added 19, but no one else cracked 15. It’s superstar isolation at its finest… and most frustrating.

Averaging 36 points, 16 boards, and 7 assists on 68% shooting to start the season? But he is not helping the team. Look at the plus minus box. In a league where balanced rosters (shoutout to Cleveland’s committee approach) beat top-heavy ones, Giannis’ way of playing masked systemic issues: injuries, turnovers, poor rebounding team-wide, and a lack of spacing that let the Cavs collapse without fear.

This loss stings because it was winnable—Bucks shot 50.6% to Cleveland’s 44.8%, but free throws (Cavs +8) and boards sealed it. Giannis was again non existent from mid range and terrible at free throws. Anyway you look at it, this is NOT a boxscore to be proud of.

October 27, 2025
KYLE KUZMA was second best player of the bucks last season??
So you have seen this chart before. It shows that Giannis, despite not being much good at dribbling, held the ball more than anyone. Despite his tendency for turnovers, he insists on bringing the ball down and then wasting time holding it.

Some say this is on purpose. For sure it helps boost his stats. Opponents shoot. Everyone on the Bucks team clears out for Giannis to boost his rebound stats. Then Giannis brings down the ball looking for an easy dunk. He often gets locked up and then wastes more time because he has no skills to disentangle himself. When he does pass it is often too late to team mates that are covered defensively. Still, when we link the amount of time Bucks’ players had the ball to their points, this is the chart:

Amazingly Giannis is 8th. Makes sense. Because even when he gets fouled, he converts free throws terribly. KPJ makes the most of what little time with the ball he is given.

Giannis’ tendency to dominate the ball for the Milwaukee Bucks has sparked considerable debate and criticism, especially as his usage rate continues to rise each season. In the 2024-25 season, Giannis’s usage reached league-leading levels, with nearly 35% of the Bucks’ possessions ending with his actions, and this figure spiked even higher during periods when Damian Lillard was absent.

Downsides of Giannis’s Ball Dominance
- Ball-stopping and predictability: When so many possessions flow through Giannis, opposing defenses can focus on collapsing the paint and crowding him, making the Bucks’ offense more predictable and easier to scheme against in crucial playoff moments. This “heliocentric” approach often slows ball movement and reduces chances for teammates to find rhythm and confidence in key stretches.
- Under-utilization of teammates: Despite talents like Lillard or Middleton, the offense has repeatedly struggled to maximize their skill sets because so many plays still funnel directly through Giannis. This creates a scenario where valuable offensive players become spot-up shooters or afterthoughts, rather than being integrated as dynamic threats. New players simply don’t touch the ball enough.
- Sustainability and fatigue: The enormous responsibility placed on Giannis not only makes the Bucks vulnerable if he struggles or faces fatigue, but also risks injury or long-term wear as he is now in his 30s. Relying on one player to generate most of the offense makes the team less resilient in playoff series or against elite defenses.
Evidence of Problems
- Usage rate trends: Giannis consistently leads the league or nears the top in usage rate, a classic trait of ball-dominant systems that have mixed playoff success. In clutch moments, the offense tends to stall or force Giannis into heavily contested shots, resulting in lower efficiency or turnovers.
- Playoff disappointments: Playoff exits in recent seasons have frequently included criticism of the Bucks’ inability to adapt offensively when Giannis is neutralized. Ball dominance discourages other creators from developing confidence, shown in stagnant offense late in games.
- Calls for diversified offense: Analysts, coaches, and even teammates have advocated for more diverse offensive sets by reducing Giannis’s workload and sharing playmaking responsibility, recognizing that a more balanced approach is essential to success at the highest levels of competition.
The narrative that Giannis “hogs” the ball is backed by the data and on-court impact: while the Bucks remain extremely reliant on his talents, this overreliance has financial and competitive costs, especially in the playoffs. For Milwaukee to reach its full potential, a clear shift toward more collaborative, multi-faceted offensive schemes is urgently needed.

What have we seen so far? Well the Bucks coaching team saw how Spanoulis used Giannis in the Olympics. But they can’t copy it. Why? Because Giannis has become hooked on getting his stat padding in every game and refuses to share the ball even now. If the Bucks’ marketing team was honest, this is what the graphic would look like after a game:
October 26, 2025
“I did it the right way” – how giannis threw his team under the bus

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rhetoric about “winning the right way”—both in his immediate post-championship comments and in his conversation with Dwyane Wade at the All-Star Game—has often been presented as a humblebrag or a statement on competitive integrity. But peeling back the public applause, these statements reveal a deep undercurrent of individualism that, whether intentional or not, throws serious shade at the teammates and organization that propelled him to NBA stardom.

””It’s easy to go somewhere and go win a championship with somebody else… It’s easy. I could go to a super team and just do my part and win a championship. But this is the hard way to do it and this is the way to do it and we did it.”

Framing Himself as the Lone Hero

By championing the idea that it’s “easy” to join a superteam and “do your part”—and contrasting that with his own “hard way” victory—Giannis drew a not-so-subtle line through the league: there are players who win with help, and there is Giannis, who does it solo. The implication is that his teammates were mere supporting characters, passengers in his one-man campaign, rather than vital components of a true championship team.

His words to Wade reinforced this narrative: by highlighting Wade as someone who won “the right way” in Miami, Giannis continues to prop up the myth of the self-made superstar, glossing over the critical roles played by everyone around him. It’s not just a swipe at the concept of superteams; it’s a backhanded insult to those who wore the same uniform and bled the same colors during Milwaukee’s title run.

”I’m a huge, huge fan of you bro. The day after we won the championship I posted a picture of you on my story… Because you guys… You did it in Miami. You did it the right way. That’s how I want to do it.”

The Impact on Team Chemistry

What makes Giannis’s stance notably self-centered is the dismissiveness baked into the rhetoric. Khris Middleton’s clutch shooting, Jrue Holiday’s defense, and Brook Lopez’s presence in the paint—the foundation of the Bucks’ 2021 championship—are effectively relegated to footnotes in Giannis’s personal story.

By making such comments both publicly and in private conversation with icons like Wade, Giannis inadvertently puts himself at the center of the story, as if he alone triumphed against the odds. For a superstar whose brand often promotes humility and teamwork, this move is strikingly egotistical.

Hypocrisy and Selective Memory

Let’s not forget that even the “right way” championship teams—Wade’s 2006 Heat included—relied heavily on key contributions from both stars and role players. By heralding himself and Wade as paragons of solo achievement, Giannis ignores both NBA history and the realities of how teams win titles.

His statements, when placed under a microscope, read less like inspiration and more like a subtle attempt to distance himself from those who helped raise the Larry O’Brien trophy alongside him.

Giannis is a hypocrite

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s constant need to frame his title as “harder,” “more authentic,” or “without help” only underlines how much the superstar mentality has eroded the team ethic in modern basketball. Instead of lifting his teammates up in victory, his words function as a subtle takedown—a way to make sure the spotlight, even after the final buzzer, never drifts far from his own shadow.

( It is similar to his ludicrous speech about how losing is no different to winning. )

October 26, 2025
7 NBA Stars Dominating the First Two Games of 2025-26: Giannis? Nope!

The 2025-26 NBA season has kicked off with an offensive explosion, and seven superstars—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aaron Gordon, Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, Tyrese Maxey, and Alperen Şengün—are leading the charge. Through the first two games, these players have delivered performances that are rewriting record books and setting the tone for an electrifying season. At the same time Giannis, playing two of the worse teams in the NBA for his first two games, still can’t shoot mid range, still has loads of turnovers, still can’t screen. He simply has not developed at all.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Thunder’s Scoring Tsunami

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making an early MVP case with a jaw-dropping 45.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on 47.4% shooting through two games. In the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season opener, a 141-135 double-overtime thriller against the Indiana Pacers, SGA erupted for a career-high 55 points (15-31 FG, 23-26 FT), tying Russell Westbrook for the most 50-point games in Thunder history. He followed it up in Game 2 with 35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, powering OKC to another victory and a 2-0 start. His two-game total of 90 points ranks fourth all-time for an opening weekend in NBA history. SGA’s silky mid-range game, relentless drives, and 88.5% free-throw shooting are making him a nightly highlight reel. The Thunder look like title contenders, and Shai’s in the driver’s seat.

Aaron Gordon: Denver’s Unexpected Scoring Juggernaut

Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets’ high-flying forward, has shocked the league with 50.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on an unreal 81.0% from the field. In Denver’s opener, a 137-131 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors, Gordon exploded for a career-best 50 points, including a franchise-record 10 three-pointers, joining Michael Jordan and Kyrie Irving as one of the few to drop 50 in an opener. Known for his dunks and defense, Gordon’s sudden emergence as a long-range assassin alongside Nikola Jokić gives Denver a terrifying new dimension. This isn’t the AG we knew—this is a superstar reborn.

Luka Dončić: Lakers’ New Wizard Wows in Hollywood

Luka Dončić’s blockbuster move to the Los Angeles Lakers is paying immediate dividends. He’s averaging 43.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, with playmaking flair that’s lighting up Tinseltown. In the opener, a 119-109 loss, Luka delivered 43 points (17-27 FG), 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 41 minutes, showcasing his signature step-back threes and paint dominance. At 26, Luka’s vision and scoring touch are meshing perfectly even without LeBron James on the floor yet this season, making the Lakers’ offense a nightly spectacle. If this is Luka’s baseline in purple and gold, the league’s in trouble.

Anthony Edwards: Ant-Man’s Explosive Start

Anthony Edwards is staking his claim as the NBA’s next big thing, averaging 41.0 points per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Game 1, he showcased his athleticism and shooting touch, setting the stage for a breakout season. Game 2 saw him drop 31 points (11-19 FG, 3-6 3PT) in a loss, but his efficiency and aggression were undeniable. Across both games, Edwards’ blend of highlight-reel dunks, deep threes, and improved playmaking alongside Rudy Gobert has Minnesota dreaming big. At just 24, Ant-Man’s confidence and swagger make every game must-watch TV. The Wolverine is clawing his way to superstardom.

Victor Wembanyama: The Alien’s Sophomore Surge

Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ 7’4” unicorn, is averaging a monstrous 40.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 71.4% FG through two games. His opener was a masterclass, with a double-double featuring rim-rattling dunks, blocks that sent shots into the stands, and smooth perimeter shooting. His length and skill make him a defensive nightmare, while his offensive versatility has Spurs fans envisioning a dynasty under Gregg Popovich. Wembanyama isn’t just the future—he’s the present, and he’s rewriting what a big man can do.

Tyrese Maxey: Philly’s Speedy Scoring Sensation

Tyrese Maxey is torching defenses for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 40.0 points and 6.0 assists on 54.2% shooting. In the opener, he set the tone with blazing speed and a quick release, racking up points in bunches. Game 2 he had limited minutes, but his full performances show a star who’s taken a leap, complementing Joel Embiid with drives and jumpers. Maxey’s ability to score efficiently in transition and create for others is making Philly’s offense lethal. At 24, he’s no longer a rising star—he’s arrived, and the Sixers are reaping the rewards.

Alperen Şengün: Houston’s Triple-Double Titan

Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün is a stat-sheet stuffer, averaging 39.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 50.0% shooting. His opener showcased his post dominance and passing wizardry, with a near-triple-double that set the tone for Houston’s 2-0 start. Game 2 kept the momentum, with Şengün’s soft touch and Jokić-like vision creating nightmares for opponents. His ability to score, rebound, and facilitate at 23 years old has the Rockets looking like playoff locks. Şengün’s Turkish hammer is pounding, and Houston’s frontcourt is a force.

A Season Already Ablaze

These seven stars aren’t just playing well—they’re setting the NBA on fire. With 50-point outbursts, triple-doubles, and record-breaking efficiency, the 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a historic one. Shai’s scoring, Gordon’s shooting, Luka’s playmaking, Edwards’ explosiveness, Wemby’s dominance, Maxey’s speed, and Şengün’s versatility are just the beginning. As we roll into Week 2, the question isn’t who’s playing better—it’s how much higher this ceiling can go. Oh and they are driving TV ratings crazy (unlike Giannis.) These players can dribble, control the game, shoot from any distance, provide solutions for their teams in tough matchups.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Not Eclipsing

the New-Age Scorers

In a season opener that’s seen a barrage of 40+ point explosions from the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aaron Gordon, and the rest of our highlighted seven, you might wonder where Milwaukee’s Greek Freak fits in. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and perennial All-NBA beast, is off to another monster start—historically so, in fact. But against the easiest opponents possible. Through the Bucks’ 2-0 beginning (a

133-120 rout of the Wizards followed by a gritty win over the Raptors), he’s posted 30.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, becoming the first player ever to hit 60-30-10 in a season’s opening duo. Game 1: 37 points, 14 boards, 5 dimes on 16-of-26 shooting. Game 2: A double-double that sealed the historic line, with his relentless drives and rim-finishing keeping Milwaukee’s offense humming. Of course to be fair, while the other players mentioned in this post where playing the toughest team’s in the league, Giannis was playing the very worse. And he is still a ball hog as you can see on the chart.

Giannis isn’t quite “close” to the supernova pace of those seven right now: He hasn’t shown the kind of tangible, eye-popping improvement that’s catapulting the others into uncharted territory. Those guys? We’re seeing Aaron Gordon morph into a 50-point, 10-three sniper (81% FG be damned); Luka Dončić

seamlessly integrating into a new Lakers system with 43-12 lines; Victor Wembanyama expanding his alien toolkit to 40-15 dominance; and Tyrese Maxey evolving from spark plug to 40-point Ferrari. It’s leap-year growth: New skills, higher ceilings, “holy crap, he can do that now?” moments that scream evolution. Again last night, no mid range shooting.

Giannis? He’s Giannis. The 30-15-5 is elite, sure—it’s MVP-adjacent and has the Bucks looking cohesive early under Doc Rivers—but it’s a refinement of what he’s done for years. His free-throw woes persist (around 57% last season, no signs of a breakthrough yet) and there’s no radical shift in playstyle to suggest he’s adapting to the league’s scoring arms race. Last year, he averaged 30.4-11.9-6.5; this year, it’s tracking eerily similar, just with more rebounding grunt work. No added pull-up range, no sudden point-forward explosion, no “I’ve unlocked mid-range mastery” arc like SGA. It’s dominance, but it’s familiar dominance—beautiful in its brutality, but not the “amazingly improved” revelation that’s got the others rewriting highlight reels. And in the 4th quarter nobody is expecting him to become clutch. Gary Trent Jr scored the same amount of points in half the minutes. In fact why was Giannis even on the floor at the end as the Bucks were blowing the Raptors out?

Don’t get it twisted: Giannis is still a walking triple-double threat who’s dragging Milwaukee toward contention despite roster flux (hello, Myles Turner spacing). If the Bucks gel around his paint-pounding, he could average 32-12-7 by midseason and remind everyone why he’s the Freak. But in this early-season fireworks show, where the narrative is all about who’s leveled up now, Giannis feels like the grizzled vet holding the fort rather than igniting the revolution. He’s close in impact, miles ahead in hardware, but that lack of a clear “new trick” keeps him a step behind the evolution parade—for now. Keep watching; the Greek Freak doesn’t stay stagnant for long.

October 25, 2025
I know what they did this summer (while Giannis was statIC

Despite his status as one of the NBA’s elite, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s early performances this season suggest that he has not notably expanded his skill set over the summer. Observers and analysts have noted that Giannis continues to rely on his physical dominance, downhill driving, and interior finishing, with little visible improvement in his outside shooting mechanics or consistency from mid-range, nor an increase in his playmaking sophistication in the

halfcourt offense. Defensive versatility remains his strength, but there’s no evidence that he has addressed long-standing weaknesses such as unreliable free-throw shooting or limited off-ball scoring tools. He went just 5-of-12 from the line (41.7%), continuing a long-standing issue that has plagued his efficiency in recent seasons (he’s shot below 66% from the stripe in each of the last three years). This inefficiency led to a notable moment early in the game when he was called for a 10-second violation on a free throw, delaying his attempt for over 12 seconds. And of course no mid range. 1 out of 6 against the worse team in the league is pathetic. This lack of noticeable skill growth stands in contrast to the significant development shown by other rising stars around the league who

entered the season with clearly sharpened or new elements to their games.

By the way that chart on the left is proof that nothing has changed. Giannis is still a massive ball hog.

Victor Wembanyama: The Defensive Dynamo Ascends

Victor Wembanyama’s second NBA offseason took on a special intensity after recovering from a blood clot scare that ended his season early. Determined to return both stronger and more versatile, he crafted a training regimen focused on “violent” physical conditioning, global experiences, and mastering alternative movement styles.

Rather than polishing just his offensive moves, Wembanyama spent months with Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon learning low-post footwork and body control. He placed a relentless emphasis on fitness, physical strength, and recovery, dedicating far more hours to defensive drills—sometimes defending every teammate in succession, without a breather. The change in his physique has enabled him to absorb contact, contest shots more aggressively, and improve lateral movement—hallmarks of top-tier rim protectors.

Wembanyama’s improved three-point accuracy (up to 35% despite high volume), his expanded leadership voice, and the confidence gleaned from a productive, pain-free summer have transformed him into a more complete, dominant force. His Spurs teammates now see him as both a physical and vocal anchor, elevating team standards on both ends.

Tyrese Maxey: Evolution into a Lead Playmaker

Tyrese Maxey’s offseason was defined by a shift in mentality: he’s no longer just a scorer, but the Sixers’ engine. With James Harden now gone, Maxey worked with the team’s coaching staff to master manipulation of defenses, run the pick-and-roll, and generate open shots for both himself and others. Summer workouts focused on increasing his passing creativity and controlling game tempo—skills crucial for a lead guard.

Maxey’s spot-up shooting has also unlocked new levels of consistency. He refined his shooting mechanics, particularly adding more arc and working on smooth releases to eliminate his tendency to shoot flat. His relentless shooting routines led to more reliable results from well beyond the arc. Leadership was a focal point too: Maxey is now seen as the vocal leader in Philadelphia, with the expectation he’ll keep teammates engaged and elevate the Sixers in clutch moments.

Anthony Edwards: Embracing Contact, Playmaking, and Leadership

Training with advice from veterans and coaches, Anthony Edwards focused on handling defensive pressure, playmaking, and embracing leadership responsibilities this summer. He spent countless hours improving his ball-handling under duress, working against double-teams and simulating physical contact to prepare for postseason intensity.

One major leap is his patience as a playmaker—Edwards worked on reading defenses out of the pick-and-roll and throwing precise lobs, opening up opportunities for his teammates, especially bigs like Rudy Gobert. Another area: defensive consistency. Edwards set routines to become a steady two-way threat, intent on using his physical gifts not just for highlight plays but for reliable stops. The young Timberwolves star is primed for an elite season, both as an offensive focal point and spiritual leader.

Alperen Sengun: Stretching the Floor, Sharpening Defense

Alperen Sengun spent the summer evolving from a classic low-post big into a modern, multidimensional center. Recognizing that high-level bigs must offer offensive versatility, Sengun dedicated extensive time to improving his shooting range—both mid-range and from deep. His preseason exhibits more confident three-point attempts and a knack for hitting turnaround jumpers.

Sengun also invested in refining his ball handling and passing, making him a greater connector in Houston’s offense. His focus on conditioning paid off defensively, allowing him longer stints on the floor and improved mobility in pick-and-roll coverage. Free-throw shooting is another breakthrough; Sengun’s improvement at the stripe should boost both his scoring and late-game reliability.

Now, he is much harder to match up with on both ends, able to draw big defenders out of the paint and help Houston’s dynamic perimeter core flourish.

These four rising stars have pushed themselves to the edge over the summer, returning as the vanguard of the NBA’s new era. Their rigorous development, sharpened skills, and growing leadership make them must-watch figures, promising to redefine both their teams and the league’s hierarchy in 2025–26. But they are not alone. While Giannis stays static, the league moves on. Maybe hold those “MVP” chants for a minute…

October 23, 2025
Giannis’ Reliance on Size and Strength: A Double-Edged Sword
Standing at 6’11” with a 7’3” wingspan and with explosive athleticism, he’s been aptly nicknamed the “Greek Freak.” His ability to overpower defenders, bulldoze to the rim, and dominate in transition has made him a perennial MVP candidate. However, as Giannis continues to evolve in his career, a recurring critique persists: his game leans heavily on his physical gifts, and he has yet to fully develop the diverse skill set necessary to elevate his game to new heights and ensure long-term success. It is now year 13, what excuse does he have?

The Foundation of Giannis’ Dominance

Giannis’ physical attributes are the cornerstone of his game. His ability to cover ground quickly, combined with his strength, makes him nearly unguardable in certain situations. In transition, he’s a freight train, capable of going coast-to-coast in a few strides, finishing with thunderous dunks over helpless defenders. In the half-court, his long strides allow him to attack the basket with a single step from the three-point line, often overpowering smaller defenders or outmaneuvering slower bigs. His physicality also used to shine on defense, where he could guard multiple positions, switch seamlessly, and protect the rim with his length. (Back when he cared to play defence.)

His efficiency at the rim—converting over 70% of his shots within three feet—stems from his ability to leverage his size and strength to create space and finish through contact. This physical approach has carried him to great heights, including an NBA title and Finals MVP honors, (a long time ago) but it also reveals the cracks in his game when opponents exploit his lack of versatility.

The Limitations of a One-Dimensional Approach

While Giannis’ physical gifts make him a matchup nightmare, his reliance on size and strength becomes a liability against certain defensive schemes, particularly in high-stakes playoff scenarios. Teams like the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and the Miami Heat in 2020 exposed this by employing strategies like the “wall” defense—packing the paint with multiple defenders to neutralize his drives. Without a reliable perimeter game or advanced playmaking skills, Giannis struggles when his path to the basket is cut off.

1. Lack of a Consistent Jump Shot

Giannis’ jump shooting remains a work in progress. His three-point shooting percentage has hovered around 29% for his career, with a high of 30.6% in the 2022-23 season on low volume (1.5 makes per game). Defenders often sag off him, daring him to shoot from beyond the arc or even from mid-range. This lack of shooting threat allows opponents to clog the paint, limiting his driving lanes and forcing him to take low-percentage shots. For comparison, players like Kevin Durant or Nikola Jokić, who combine size with shooting touch, keep defenses honest, creating space for themselves and their teammates.

2. Limited Post Moves

In the post, Giannis relies heavily on power moves—drop steps, spins, or bullying his way to the rim—rather than finesse. Unlike players like Hakeem Olajuwon or even Joel Embiid, who use a variety of footwork and countermoves to score efficiently, Giannis’ post game lacks diversity. Defenders who can match his physicality or anticipate his moves can force him into turnovers or contested shots. His turnover rate (3.7 per game in 2022-23) often spikes when teams force him into crowded areas without a refined arsenal to counter.

3. Playmaking and Decision-Making

While Giannis averages a respectable number of assists, his playmaking is more a product of his ability to draw help defense than advanced court vision. When defenses collapse on his drives, he often makes simple kick-out passes to open shooters, but he struggles to manipulate defenses with the precision of players like LeBron James or Jokić. His assist-to-turnover ratio (1.55 in 2022-23) reflects his tendency to force passes or drives into heavy traffic, particularly in playoff settings where defenses are more disciplined.

4. Free-Throw Shooting Woes

Giannis’ free-throw shooting has been a persistent weakness, with a career average of 68.5%. In high-pressure playoff games, this becomes a glaring issue, as teams intentionally foul him to exploit his inconsistency. His prolonged free-throw routine—often exceeding 10 seconds—also disrupts game flow and puts additional pressure on him mentally. Improving his free-throw percentage to a reliable 75-80% would not only boost his scoring but also deter teams from hacking him in crucial moments.

Playoff Struggles: When Size Isn’t Enough

The playoffs are where Giannis’ reliance on physicality is most exposed. In the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals, the Raptors’ “wall” strategy neutralized him, holding him to 22.7 points per game on 44.3% shooting, well below his regular-season averages. Similarly, in 2020, the Heat’s zone defense and physical play limited his effectiveness, leading to a second-round exit. Even in the Bucks’ 2021 championship run, Giannis’ success was partly due to favorable matchups and injuries to opponents like the Nets’ Kyrie Irving and James Harden. In 2023, the Heat once again exploited his limitations, with Giannis shooting just 23.5% from three and struggling against their defensive schemes in a first-round upset.

These playoff performances highlight a key issue: when teams take away Giannis’ primary weapon—his ability to attack the rim—his lack of secondary skills leaves the Bucks vulnerable. Elite defenses know they can afford to give him space on the perimeter, forcing him to either shoot or make plays under pressure, areas where he’s less comfortable. And when opponents care about the game you can be sure they will stop Giannis. What then?

The Path Forward: Developing a More Complete Game

To reach the next level and ensure longevity as an elite player, Giannis must diversify his skill set. Here are some areas where he could focus:
1. Developing a Reliable Jump Shot: Giannis doesn’t need to become a 40% three-point shooter, but improving his mid-range and three-point shooting to league-average levels (around 35%) would force defenders to guard him more closely, opening up driving lanes and creating space for teammates. Working with a shooting coach to refine his mechanics—particularly his release point and consistency—could yield significant dividends.
2. Expanding His Post Game: Adding finesse moves like fadeaways, hook shots, or up-and-under fakes would make Giannis more unpredictable in the post. Studying footage of players like Hakeem or Dirk Nowitzki could help him develop a more versatile scoring arsenal, reducing his reliance on brute force.
3. Improving Playmaking: Giannis could benefit from studying how players like Jokić or Draymond Green read defenses and make precise passes. Enhancing his ability to manipulate defenses with hesitation moves or pick-and-roll play would make him a more complete offensive hub.
4. Fixing Free-Throw Shooting: Simplifying his free-throw routine and building confidence at the line through repetition could push his percentage into the 75-80% range. This would not only boost his scoring but also make him a more reliable closer in tight games.
5. Adapting to Defensive Schemes: Giannis could work on recognizing and countering defensive strategies like zones or walls. Quick decision-making, such as passing out of double-teams or using pump fakes to draw fouls, would make him harder to game-plan against.
The Bigger Picture: Longevity and Legacy

At 30 years old (as of 2025), Giannis is past his prime and the physical toll of his playing style raises questions about longevity. Players who rely heavily on athleticism, like Russell Westbrook, often face challenges as their explosiveness wanes. By developing a more skill-based game, Giannis would ensure he remains a dominant force into his mid-30s, much like LeBron James, who evolved from a slasher to a versatile playmaker and shooter.

Moreover, expanding his skill set would solidify his legacy as one of the all-time greats. While he’s already a two-time MVP and champion, players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant elevated their games by adding layers of skill to their natural gifts. For Giannis to join that pantheon, he must show he can adapt when physicality alone isn’t enough.

His lack of a consistent jump shot, limited post moves, and struggles against elite playoff defenses highlight the need for a more well-rounded game. By investing in his shooting, playmaking, and overall basketball IQ, Giannis can transcend his current ceiling. For now, his physical dominance remains his greatest asset—but also his greatest crutch. The question is whether the Greek Freak can evolve into a complete player because the smarter defenses have clearly caught up with him.
October 22, 2025
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo the Right Leader for Milwaukee’s Title Aspirations?

As the Bucks navigate inconsistent playoff performances and mounting pressure to reclaim a title in 2025, questions linger about whether Giannis is the ideal leader to carry Milwaukee to another championship. While his on-court dominance is undeniable, leadership and team cohesion issues—both real and perceived—raise concerns about his ability to guide the Bucks to their ultimate goal.

Giannis’ Leadership Style: Passion or Pressure?

Giannis’ leadership is defined by intensity and authenticity. He’s vocal, often seen rallying teammates during timeouts or taking accountability in post-game press conferences. His work ethic sets a high bar, and he’s known for pushing teammates to match his drive. However, this approach can be a double-edged sword. Some reports suggest that his relentless demands for effort can create tension, particularly with veterans or players less inclined to embrace his all-in mentality. For instance, former teammate Jrue Holiday, a key piece of the 2021 championship, was traded in 2023 partly due to roster upgrades but also amid whispers of differing team dynamics. Could Giannis’ intensity alienate players who don’t share his singular focus?

Leadership in the NBA isn’t just about setting an example; it’s about fostering unity. Giannis’ public comments, like his candid remarks about needing “everybody on the same page” after playoff disappointments, hint at underlying cohesion issues. While his honesty is refreshing, it can also spotlight fractures within the locker room. Compare this to leaders like LeBron James or Stephen Curry, who balance accountability with diplomacy, ensuring teammates feel empowered rather than criticized. Giannis’ raw, unfiltered style may inspire some but risks isolating others, especially in high-stakes playoff moments where emotional intelligence is as critical as talent.

Team Cohesion: The Bucks’ Achilles’ Heel?

Milwaukee’s roster, built around Giannis, is talented but complex. Damian Lillard’s arrival in 2023 was meant to create a championship-caliber duo, yet the Bucks have struggled to gel. In the 2024 playoffs, injuries to Giannis and Lillard exposed a lack of cohesion, with the team faltering against Indiana in the first round. While injuries aren’t Giannis’ fault, leadership is tested in adversity. Critics argue he hasn’t fully bridged the gap between his game-dominating style and a cohesive team identity. The Bucks’ offense often feels like “Giannis plus shooters,” lacking the fluidity of teams like the Boston Celtics, where Jayson Tatum orchestrates a more collective attack.

Data backs this up: in the 2024-25 season, the Bucks rank in the top 10 for offensive efficiency but lag in assist-to-turnover ratio, suggesting less ball movement than elite offenses. Giannis, while an improved passer, still prioritizes drives to the rim, which can stagnate the offense when defenses collapse on him. A true leader elevates teammates’ strengths, but Lillard’s inconsistent integration—averaging fewer points and assists than in Portland—raises questions about whether Giannis is doing enough to empower his co-star. Leadership isn’t just about scoring 30 points; it’s about making the team greater than the sum of its parts.

All too often it feels like all Giannis cares about is his personal statistics. When the going gets tough he either tries to get rid of the ball and responsibilities or he does the same two moves that everybody expects.

The Playoff Pressure Cooker

Playoff failures amplify scrutiny on Giannis’ leadership. Since 2021, the Bucks have exited early in three of four postseasons, including a 2023 first-round upset to Miami. Giannis’ infamous “there’s no failure in sports” press conference after that loss was polarizing—some saw it as mature perspective, others as a deflection of accountability. Leaders like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant embraced pressure, using setbacks as fuel. Giannis’ mindset, while mentally healthy, can come off as lacking the killer instinct needed to rally a team through playoff adversity.

Moreover, his game has exploitable flaws. His limited shooting range (29% from three in 2024-25) allows defenses to clog the paint, daring him to shoot. While he’s improved his midrange and free-throw shooting, playoff opponents like Toronto (2019) and Miami (2020, 2023) have exposed this weakness. A leader adapts, but Giannis’ reluctance to diversify his offensive game can put teammates in tough spots, forcing them to compensate for predictable strategies. Compare this to Nikola Jokić, whose versatility creates opportunities for Denver’s role players, enhancing team cohesion.

Giannis is not young—31 in 2025— and doesn’t seem to be evolving as a leader. In fact he doesn’t seem to be evolving at all. His loyalty to Milwaukee, signing a max extension in 2023, shows commitment rare in today’s NBA. He’s also taken steps to improve, like refining his playmaking and engaging in film study to better read defenses. But it is not translating on to something actionable on the court.

The Bucks’ struggles aren’t solely on Giannis. Coaching changes (three head coaches since 2021) and roster turnover disrupt continuity. Injuries, particularly to Middleton and Giannis himself, have derailed playoff runs. Front-office decisions, like trading Holiday for Lillard, shift dynamics beyond Giannis’ control. Expecting him to be both superstar and perfect leader seems way beyong his abilities.

Can Giannis Lead Milwaukee to Another Title?

Giannis’ style—intense, unfiltered, and sometimes rigid—may not fully align with the nuanced demands of championship leadership. His inability to consistently elevate teammates, coupled with on-court limitations, raises valid concerns about team cohesion. The modern NBA demands adaptability and emotional finesse, areas where Giannis is not growing.

For Milwaukee to reclaim a championship, Giannis must evolve beyond being the team’s engine. He needs to foster a culture where stars thrive, role players feel empowered, and playoff strategies diversify. The Bucks’ front office must also provide stability, but as the face of the franchise, Giannis bears the weight of leadership. Until then, doubts about his ability to unify and elevate the Bucks will linger. And this season it is even worse. It really seems as if he likes the narrative that he alone is worth anything on the roster. That is a selfish way to pretend to be a leader.

October 22, 2025
Bucks 2025-26 NBA Season Preview: Predictions, Projections, and the Path Forward

The Milwaukee Bucks enter the 2025-26 NBA season as one of the league’s most intriguing enigmas. After a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign marked by injuries, inconsistent play, and a first-round playoff exit, the Bucks made bold moves in the offseason. They waived Damian Lillard following his Achilles injury, stretching his contract to create cap space, and signed former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner to pair with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. This shift signals a return to “Point Giannis” as the offensive focal point, surrounded by shooters and defenders. But with roster turnover, questions about depth, and lingering trade rumors around Antetokounmpo, predictions for the Bucks vary wildly—from playoff contenders to potential lottery dwellers.

Win Total Projections: A Middling Outlook with Giannis-Sized Upside

The consensus among oddsmakers and analysts pegs the Bucks’ regular-season win total at around 42.5, a slight dip from their 48 wins last year. This reflects the loss of Lillard’s scoring punch and concerns over team chemistry, but it also underscores faith in Antetokounmpo’s ability to carry the load. Betting sites like BetMGM and FanDuel list the over/under at 42.5, with juice leaning slightly toward the over at -120 in some spots. VSiN projects a similar range, emphasizing how far Antetokounmpo can drag a “barren” roster, especially since Giannis hasn’t really added any skills.

Optimistic takes suggest Milwaukee could push toward 45-50 wins if healthy. Doc’s Sports highlights the Bucks’ seven straight seasons with 45+ wins, recommending bets on over 45 at +152 or even 50+ at +410, citing their talent for beating lesser teams. CBS Sports echoes this, pointing to Antetokounmpo’s late-2024-25 surge (29.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists over 21 games) and additions like Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and A.J. Green for spacing. On X, fan Nathan Marzion predicts 53-29, dismissing exact wins as long as they secure a top-6 seed.

Pessimists, however, see a floor of 37-40 wins if injuries strike or cohesion falters. Odds Shark notes declining winning percentages and a weakened depth chart, making the under tempting. DraftKings projects a baseline of 48 wins with Antetokounmpo healthy but warns of a 37-45 roster without him. X user Mr Ass advises taking the under on 42.5, predicting Antetokounmpo averages 27+ PPG but plays fewer than 65 games.

Overall, the win total hinges on health and adaptation. If the Bucks gel early, they could exceed expectations; if not, a rebuild looms.

Seeding and Playoff Predictions: Play-In Bound or Top Contender?

In the Eastern Conference, predictions place the Bucks as a mid-tier team, likely fighting for seeds 5-8. ESPN ranks them in the middle of the pack, noting their top-3-point shooting percentage last season but low volume in attempts. SB Nation sees them at No. 9 in the East, behind rising squads like the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Magic. The Guardian predicts a competitive East but doesn’t spotlight Milwaukee as a top threat.

Playoff odds are favorable at -215, but conference title hopes are long at +1900. FanDuel gives them +750 to reach the East Finals and +1800 for the NBA Finals. Sporting News projects them as a second-round exit at best, citing injuries to stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum opening the East but not enough for Milwaukee to capitalize fully.

Fan predictions on X are more varied. Alex Sage sees them as a “competitive 2nd round exit,” while DRich calls a top-6 seed “very likely” with Turner’s athleticism boosting defense. Others like Nathan Grubel rank them 11th, fearing a Giannis absence derails everything. Bold outliers include Taylor predicting a 2026 ring after a 6th seed, or Snatch forecasting a Finals appearance. Some, like Zach Langley, predict they miss the playoffs entirely due to depth issues.

The East’s perceived weakness (injuries to Boston, Indiana) could help, but Milwaukee must outperform rising teams like Detroit, Orlando, and Atlanta.

Award Contenders: Giannis in the Spotlight

Antetokounmpo dominates award talk. Multiple sources predict him as an MVP contender, needing 8+ assists and a top-4 seed. SI.com calls him a “long shot” but builds a case around his dominance. ClutchPoints offers bold predictions like Giannis leading in scoring, rebounding, and assists for Milwaukee. On X, fans like Snatch and Infinite Sports see him winning MVP outright. It is clear that this regular season the Bucks have been built to support Giannis’ stat chasing again.

Other breakout candidates include A.J. Green (X-factor per Infinite Sports) and Gary Trent Jr. (highest 3P% per Marzion). Turner is hailed as “10x better than Lopez” for defense.

Reasons for Optimism: Defense, and Spacing

The Bucks’ ceiling starts with Antetokounmpo, whose commitment quells trade speculation. Turner’s addition addresses rim protection and athleticism, allowing slower-paced, defensive games. Shooters like Trent, Prince, and Green provide spacing, potentially boosting 3-point volume. Late-2024-25 streaks (8-1 runs) show resilience. Social media users like Ryan Koller predict 55 wins with average defense from all rotations.

A weakened East (Celtics, Pacers down) offers opportunity. Hoops & Headlines predicts a better record than last season. But essentially the Bucks look like they are aiming for an impressive regular season knowing well that they are going to be smoked in the playoffs again.

Reasons for Pessimism: Depth, Injuries, and Trade Drama

Depth is a glaring issue—projected rotations include Kevin Porter Jr., Cole Anthony, and Kyle Kuzma, raising chemistry concerns. Antetokounmpo’s health is pivotal; without him, wins plummet. Trade rumors persist, with Fadeaway World speculating he stays but unrest lingers. X user Maltman predicts 40-45 wins and an early exit, fearing mediocrity.

Offense could stagnate without Lillard, and rebounding suffers without key bigs. Some like The House that Kami Built see low seeding due to missed games.

Fan Sentiments: Hope Mixed with Realism

On social media, Bucks fans remain loyal. Michael Redd reflects on the 2024-25 disappointments but urges appreciating Giannis. Podcasts like Bucks University offer bold takes, including preseason reactions. Broader predictions vary, with some like Takes seeing a 7th seed and ECF run. Others, like DOM, rank them 5th in the East.

A Season of Uncertainty and Potential

The 2025-26 Bucks are a Giannis-led wildcard. Predictions lean toward 42-45 wins, a play-in spot, and MVP buzz for the Greek Freak, but success depends on health, defense, and buy-in. If they exceed expectations, a deep playoff run isn’t impossible in a wide-open East. If not, trade winds could blow stronger. Buckle up, Milwaukee—it’s going to be a ride. Milwaukee’s floor remains high, but their ceiling depends on rapid roster cohesion and finding an answer to close games when the postseason arrives.

October 21, 2025

Analyzing the Top Defenders on Giannis: A 2024-25 Season Breakdown

The following analysis dives into the top 15 players who guarded him the most during the 2024-25 season, based on possessions defended (Poss). These stats reflect Giannis’s performance when primarily defended by each player, per 75 possessions. Effective defense is indicated by lower points (PTS), assists

(AST), TS%, and FTA (suggesting fewer drives and fouls drawn), alongside higher turnovers (TOV). Kudos for the idea to these guys:

We’ll rank them by possessions faced (descending order, as in the provided table) for reliability—higher sample sizes reduce noise. For each player, I’ll cover their background, defensive style, and how the stats stack up against Giannis’s averages. Data sourced from NBA advanced tracking, highlighting individual matchups.

Here’s the full table for reference:

#	Opponent	Poss	PTS	AST	TOV	TS%	FTA
1	Bam Adebayo	130	24.2	8.1	2.9	58.7%	2.3
2	Pascal Siakam	130	27.1	7.5	4.0	67.6%	2.3
3	Wendell Carter Jr.	113	21.9	5.3	4.0	47.8%	5.3
4	Al Horford	113	29.3	4.7	0.0	46.2%	4.0
5	Jalen Duren	105	32.2	11.4	3.6	57.9%	7.9
6	Jarrett Allen	104	36.7	7.2	2.2	57.7%	3.6
7	Onyeka Okongwu	97	21.0	8.5	3.1	47.9%	10.9
8	OG Anunoby	86	18.2	4.3	1.7	40.3%	6.1
9	Nic Claxton	81	32.6	7.5	2.8	56.5%	8.4
10	Grant Williams	79	29.4	12.3	1.9	50.9%	0.9
11	Adem Bona	72	29.0	12.4	1.0	62.8%	12.4
12	Jalen Johnson	70	20.5	4.3	2.2	69.0%	4.3
13	Scottie Barnes	69	19.5	5.4	7.6	68.2%	5.4
14	Dorian Finney-Smith	59	27.9	6.3	3.8	75.1%	7.6
15	Jaren Jackson Jr.	58	10.4	6.5	2.6	40.5%	2.6

Now, let’s break down each defender.

1. Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)

Bam Adebayo, a 6’9″ center with guard-like agility, has earned multiple All-Defensive honors for his switchability and rim protection. He’s known for his quick feet, strong hands, and ability to body up bigger players without fouling. Against Giannis, whom he’s faced in heated playoff series, Bam’s versatility shines.

In 130 possessions—the highest in our sample—Giannis posted 24.2 PTS (well below his 31.9 baseline), a solid 58.7% TS (down from 62.5%), and just 2.3 FTA (a massive drop from 11.2). This suggests Bam excels at contesting drives without sending Giannis to the line. However, Giannis racked up 8.1 AST (above average), indicating he often passed out of double-teams or mismatches created by Bam’s help defense. TOV at 2.9 is slightly below baseline, showing Giannis maintained control. Overall, Bam’s one of the elite Giannis-stoppers, limiting efficiency while forcing playmaking.

2. Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers)

Pascal Siakam, a 6’8″ forward with championship pedigree from Toronto, brings length, speed, and post defense to the table. His wiry strength and quickness allow him to mirror Giannis’s Euro-steps and spins, though he’s occasionally overpowered in the paint.

Tied for the most possessions at 130, Siakam held Giannis to 27.1 PTS (still under baseline) but allowed a scorching 67.6% TS—higher than Giannis’s average, pointing to efficient scoring opportunities. AST at 7.5 is slightly up, TOV at 4.0 is above average (good for defense), and FTA again low at 2.3. Siakam’s defense seems to funnel Giannis into tough shots or passes, but the high TS% suggests Giannis found ways to convert. Solid effort, but room for improvement in contesting without concessions.

3. Wendell Carter Jr. (Orlando Magic)

Wendell Carter Jr., a 6’10” big man with solid fundamentals, anchors Orlando’s defense with drop coverage and rebounding. He’s not the quickest, but his size helps clog the lane against drivers like Giannis.

Over 113 possessions, Carter limited Giannis to 21.9 PTS (excellent, far below baseline) and a dismal 47.8% TS (way down). TOV at 4.0 is elevated, AST at 5.3 is low, but FTA at 5.3 is moderate. This profile screams effective paint protection—Giannis struggled to finish efficiently, turning the ball over more while creating fewer assists. Carter’s traditional big-man defense appears tailor-made for slowing Giannis’s interior dominance.

4. Al Horford (Boston Celtics)

At 39, Al Horford remains a savvy veteran for the Celtics, using positioning and anticipation over athleticism. His experience in playoff battles against Giannis (including Boston’s 2022 series win) makes him a cerebral defender.

In 113 possessions, Giannis scored 29.3 PTS (near baseline) but on a poor 46.2% TS—Horford’s spacing and help rotations likely forced tough shots. AST dropped to 4.7 (great), FTA to 4.0 (low), but shockingly, TOV at 0.0 means Giannis was ultra-careful. Horford’s defense emphasizes team schemes over individual stops, effectively capping efficiency despite solid scoring volume.

5. Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)

Young and athletic at 6’10”, Jalen Duren is an emerging rim protector for the rebuilding Pistons, relying on explosiveness to challenge shots.

Across 105 possessions, Giannis exploded for 32.2 PTS (above baseline), 11.4 AST (way up), and 57.9% TS (down slightly). TOV at 3.6 is average, FTA at 7.9 moderate. Duren’s youth shows—Giannis feasted in playmaking and scoring, perhaps overwhelming Duren with speed and power. Promising tools, but not yet refined against elite talent.

6. Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Jarrett Allen, a 6’11” shot-blocker with the Cavs, uses length and timing to deter drivers. He’s a classic paint patroller.

In 104 possessions, Giannis torched him for 36.7 PTS (high), 7.2 AST, and 57.7% TS on low 3.6 FTA. TOV at 2.2 is low. Allen’s drop coverage might leave gaps for Giannis’s drives, leading to inefficient but voluminous scoring. Needs more physicality to disrupt.

7. Onyeka Okongwu (Atlanta Hawks)

Onyeka Okongwu, a 6’8″ energetic big off Atlanta’s bench, brings hustle and mobility, often switching onto wings.

Over 97 possessions, he held Giannis to 21.0 PTS (strong) and 47.9% TS (excellent), with 8.5 AST up but TOV at 3.1 average. FTA high at 10.9—Okongwu might foul too much. His aggression pays off in limiting points but invites freebies.

8. OG Anunoby (New York Knicks)

OG Anunoby, a 6’7″ lockdown wing for the Knicks, is renowned for his strength, length, and on-ball tenacity. He’s often tasked with star-stopping duties.

In 86 possessions, Anunoby shone: 18.2 PTS (elite low), 40.3% TS (abysmal for Giannis), 4.3 AST down, TOV 1.7 low, FTA 6.1 moderate. This screams suffocating defense—Anunoby’s physicality disrupts Giannis’s rhythm, forcing inefficiency. One of the best individual efforts here.

9. Nic Claxton (Brooklyn Nets)

Nic Claxton, a 6’11” switchable big for the Nets, uses length and agility to protect the rim and perimeter.

Over 81 possessions, Giannis scored 32.6 PTS (high) on 56.5% TS (down), with 7.5 AST up, TOV 2.8 low, FTA 8.4. Claxton’s versatility helps contest, but Giannis’s power overwhelms, leading to solid but not elite containment.

10. Grant Williams (Charlotte Hornets)

Grant Williams, a 6’6″ sturdy forward now with the Hornets, is a pesky defender who uses strength and trash-talk to irritate.

In 79 possessions, Giannis hit 29.4 PTS on 50.9% TS (down), but 12.3 AST skyrocketed—Williams might force passes. TOV 1.9 low, FTA tiny 0.9. Good at avoiding fouls, but playmaking spikes hurt.

11. Adem Bona (Philadelphia 76ers)

Rookie Adem Bona, a 6’10” athletic big drafted by Philly, brings raw energy and shot-blocking from his UCLA days.

Over 72 possessions, Giannis posted 29.0 PTS, 62.8% TS (near average), 12.4 AST (high), TOV just 1.0 (bad for defense), FTA 12.4 (high). Bona’s inexperience shows—Giannis exploits with passes and free throws, though scoring is contained somewhat.

12. Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)

Jalen Johnson, a 6’9″ athletic forward for the Hawks, has breakout potential with his leaping and versatility.

In 70 possessions, he limited Giannis to 20.5 PTS (great) on 69.0% TS (high), 4.3 AST down, TOV 2.2 low, FTA 4.3. Johnson’s speed helps, but the TS% suggests Giannis got quality looks when scoring.

13. Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)

Scottie Barnes, a 6’7″ do-it-all forward for Toronto, uses length and IQ to defend multiple positions.

Over 69 possessions, Barnes forced 19.5 PTS (low), but 68.2% TS (high), 5.4 AST down, and a whopping 7.6 TOV (excellent). FTA 5.4. Barnes’s disruption shines in turnovers, making him a turnover machine against Giannis despite efficiency allowed.

14. Dorian Finney-Smith (Brooklyn Nets)

Dorian Finney-Smith, a 6’7″ 3-and-D wing for the Nets, brings toughness and spacing defense.

In 59 possessions (smaller sample), Giannis scored 27.9 PTS on sky-high 75.1% TS, 6.3 AST, 3.8 TOV up, FTA 7.6. Finney-Smith struggles with Giannis’s power, leading to efficient scoring—noise from low possessions, but not ideal.

15. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)

Jaren Jackson Jr., a 6’10” Defensive Player of the Year candidate for Memphis, excels in blocking and switching.

Over 58 possessions (smallest sample), he dominated: 10.4 PTS (insanely low), 40.5% TS, 6.5 AST, TOV 2.6, FTA 2.6. JJJ’s length and timing erase Giannis—elite when matched up, though sample size caveats apply.

Final Thoughts

Defending Giannis requires a mix of size, speed, and scheme. Standouts like OG Anunoby, Bam Adebayo, and Jaren Jackson Jr. show how physicality and anticipation can limit him, while others like Jarrett Allen highlight vulnerabilities. Higher-possession matchups (e.g., Bam, Siakam) offer more reliable insights, but even smaller samples reveal trends. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, watch how these defenders evolve against the Greek Freak. Giannis is clearly not improving, things will only get worse for him.

October 19, 2025

Reasons People Dislike Giannis Antetokounmpo – On and Off the Court

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a polarizing figure in the NBA, admired for his work ethic and humility but also criticized for multiple reasons both on and off the court. Dislike often stems from a mixture of his playing style, incidents involving opponents, his public persona, and perceptions of his behavior.

On-Court Reasons for Dislike

1. Physical and Aggressive Playing Style

Many critics argue that Giannis’ dominance relies more on brute athleticism than skill, with players and fans perceiving his approach as “bulldozing,” lacking finesse, or being unrefined. This has led to accusations of being “boring” or taking the “easy route” by overpowering defenders rather than out-skilling them. Very often this is offensice fouls he all too often gets away with. It is also boring to watch as he has an extremely limited set of ways to score. Especially his dunks are very predictably the same ol same ol all the time.

2. Dirty or Reckless Plays

There have been notable incidents—like undercutting shooters, hard fouls, or physical altercations—that have led to accusations of recklessness or even dirty play. Though some former players defend him as not intentionally dirty, the reputation persists due to repeated aggressive incidents against opponents such as Jayson Tatum and driving plays that result in injuries. His physical dominance sometimes leads to others getting hurt, which is sometimes considered dangerous if not outright unsportsmanlike by fans and media.

3. Unsportsmanlike or Childish Antics

Opponents and commentators have called out Giannis for gestures like faking a handshake after a hard foul or reactively escalating situations in the heat of the game. Jaylen Brown, for example, labeled Giannis “a child” for such antics after receiving an elbow and being on the receiving end of a pulled-back handshake.

4. Clutch Performance and Playoff Disappointments

Despite his MVPs and championship, critics have pointed to specific playoff failures, perceived shortcomings in leadership, and offensive limitations (like shooting and free throws) as reasons to question his greatness and underachiever labels. When his teams falter, detractors highlight his inability to adapt or “raise his game,” fueling negative discussion.

Off-Court Reasons for Dislike

1. Incidents with Teammates and Staff

There have been viral incidents of Giannis slapping or berating teammates, such as the recent episode with Greek teammate Giannoulis Larentzakis during a team huddle. While some dismiss this as passionate leadership or even cultural banter, others see it as lacking respect or unnecessarily aggressive. We get it, he is annoyed that the league knows how to shut him down when it counts.

2. Locker Room Behavior and Internal Frustration

Reports and viral clips have surfaced of locker room outbursts, confrontational meetings, and visible frustration taken out on teammates, which can be interpreted as poor leadership or lack of composure under pressure.

3. Media Relationships and Perceived Arrogance

Episodes of walking out on reporters following tough losses or being selective about his communication have led to friction and media-driven narratives about him being inaccessible or having a chip on his shoulder. Worse still he often plays the “I was so poor” story when he has no real answer to basketball related questions.

4. Xenophobia and Outsider Status

A distinct stream of criticism from both fans and some players arises from his international roots. Some commentators and NBA insiders bluntly say part of the negativity is due to Giannis being a “foreigner,” lacking the typical “American swag,” or not coming up through U.S. basketball circuits—prompting feelings that he’s “not one of us”. This bias is echoed in NBA locker rooms and the media. Most importantly he seems totally hypocritical claiming he “feels Nigerian” the one minute, then “Greek at heart” the next and then “my home is in Milwaukee” just a second later.

5. Viral “Disrespect” Incidents

On and off the court, Giannis has had confrontations with other players’ families (e.g., a notable incident with Tyrese Haliburton’s father postgame) , or the ball game indicent and opposing staff (the “ladder incident” in Philadelphia) where his reactions have been called unprofessional or unduly emotional. And he is ultra hypocritical about his kids of course.

Summary Table: Main Reasons for Dislike

Type	Examples & Incidents	Themes
On-Court	Aggressive/dirty plays, taunting, playoff failures	Style over skill, sportsmanship, immaturity
Off-Court	Locker room conflicts, disrespectful gestures, slaps	Poor leadership, disrespect, bad teammate
Media	Walkouts, introversion, handling tough questions	Arrogance, unapproachable, negative narratives
Cultural	Not American, foreign roots, outsider perspective	Xenophobia, lack of U.S. basketball pedigree

Additional Notes

Jealousy and Resentment: Some dislike may ultimately be rooted in jealousy, as Giannis’ physical gifts and meteoric rise are seen as “unfair” by former greats or less gifted players. It does seem like he has been over hyped and under delivered.
Weirdness: He does not seem to want to fit in. He doesn’t train with other players, he makes weird Dad jokes, pretty infantile, he makes people uncomfortable very often with his approach.
Pathetic mistakes. He leads the league in palming and other such infantile things. Even if he gets away with a lot, he still tops categories no pro should be in, let alone a supposed MVP candidate.
Stat padding: It is hard not to see a lot of what he does as putting his personal stats above everything. And then blaming the rest of the roster.
Ungrateful. The ultimate snub, after Khris, Jrue and Brook got him to the Finals he kept saying he “did it the right way” implying he was the only star on the team. But the stat padding is legit.
Nepotism. Both Thanasis and now Alex have no place on an NBA bench. If an adult 30 year NBA player wants them as cheerleaders he should ask the Bucks to hire them as such, not take up a valuable team place.
Excuses excuses. He has been in the league 13 years now and still falls back on the same excuses when he fails. Sad that his fans still think “if only he improves X Y Z this season” even now. And his “no failure in sports” speech was the most disrespectful ever.
Sneaky manipulation of trades, whilst all along pretending he knows nothing. We now know for sure that he dictates terms pretty clearly. Coaches, players, trades are all signed off by him but then he plays the innocent ignoramus. And a question about how he gets all star votes lingers too.
Annual trade mill that Giannis instigates and then acts like he knows nothing. No other super star wants to play with him of course. They know it’s all hype.

The above points encapsulate the primary criticisms and negative perceptions that have emerged around him.

October 18, 2025

Bill simons evaluating the bucks season
Here is a summary of the discussion:

Bucks’ Outlook and Win Prediction
- Vegas Odds and Win Total: The hosts found the Milwaukee Bucks’ over/under win total of 42.5 surprising, especially considering Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best player in the conference [00:00]. The Bucks’ odds to win the conference were set at 20-to-1, the eighth-best in the East [00:07].
- Confidence in the Over: The hosts were in strong agreement that the 42.5 win line is too low, projecting the Bucks to be at least a 46-win team [00:55]. They ultimately settled on a “triple lock” for the over [03:11].
Team Changes and Strengths
- Key Personnel Shifts: The team, which won 48 games last year, made several moves, which the hosts summarize as essentially trading Brook Lopez for Miles Turner and Damian Lillard for Cole Anthony [00:13]. They also note the addition of Thanasses and Alex A. [01:06].
- Shooting Prowess: Despite the roster changes, the Bucks were highlighted as a “sneaky great shooting team,” having the number one three-point shooting percentage (38.5%) in the league last year. Several role players were shooting over 40% from deep [00:21].
- Miles Turner Upgrade: Turner is viewed as a significant improvement over Brook Lopez, making the team’s core identity “absolutely seamless” [01:54].
- Motivation and Edge: The team is seen as highly motivated, with coach Doc Rivers not wanting to rebuild, Giannis trying to win, and several rotation players like Turner, Kevin Porter Jr., and Cole Anthony playing with a “chip on their shoulder” [04:17].
Areas of Concern and Trade Speculation
- Playmaking Concern: A point of disagreement was the absence of another dedicated ball-handler besides Giannis, a role Damian Lillard provided [02:06].
- Giannis’s Future: The possibility of a trade was acknowledged, though the hosts agreed that it would be “much more likely to be an offseason thing than an inseason thing” [03:01].
- Hypothetical In-Season Trade: In a purely speculative exercise, if Giannis were to be traded mid-season, the most likely destination suggested was the San Antonio Spurs to pair him with Victor Wembanyama [07:28]. Other teams mentioned were Houston and Oklahoma City [07:45].
Video Details:
- Channel: Bill Simmons
- Title: How Good Will the Bucks Be? | The Bill Simmons Podcast
- URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhYqNTLoeMI
Transcription (automatic)

The Milwaukee Bucks over under 42 and a half they are 20 to1 to win the conference which is the eighth best odds in the East even though they have the best player in the conference in Giannis minus 215 for the playoffs they were 48 and 34 last year they turned Lopez into Miles Turner they turned Dame Lillard into Cole Anthony and they turned Conaughtan into Coffee and Harris and they’re deep and they’re a sneaky great shooting team

zack great didn’t take a lot but they were the number one three-point shooting team by percentage 38.5 last year they had Prince Green Porter Trenton Rollins all over 40% turner was at 39.6 porter’s 37 dame was actually lower than all those numbers and uh and they have shooting and they have Giannis and this number is dumbfounding to me because I don’t think they’re trading Giannis this season and I just don’t see a world where this isn’t like a 46- win team well look I mean what did they win last year 48 yeah yeah and they added Thanasses and Alex antento brainer and Russell Westbrook talk about a freakoff we This is We got the All the freaks are in Milwaukee it’s a G-rated freakoff it’s the real freakoff right here in Milwaukee Town now uh I think this team actually makes more sense than last year’s team i think that like the version of this team now I got hammered i want to like right hand up i got smashed at the outset of the playoffs because this version of Milwaukee with all those shooters going up against Indiana i thought that that Freak was going to be able to assert his will and this and the shooters on Milwaukee would keep them in and the Pacers ran them the fuck off the floor and I lost a bunch of money but I still think that the core identity of this Milwaukee team like Turner coming in makes it makes it absolutely seamless he’s an improvement over Brook Lopez i mean a huge improvement i didn’t think Brooke was good last year he was fine i I think where I would disagree with you is that like who do who do I want dribbling the basketball other than Giannis and at least I had like another guy to do that with Dame last year in a pick and roll combination that made sense kevin Porter Jr is probably a little overt taxed in the role he’s going to get same same with Ryan Rollins but as long as you I mean like and Giannis typically plays about 65ish games so like the remaining 15 to 20 are going to be big for how much if if for how much they go over this number i am also an over giannis plus shooting just makes a lot of sense to me if he gets to 657 desperate Giannis well this is my back is to the wall career-wise and I’ve thought about this all summer and I’m tired of losing Yiannis kuzma can’t be worse um I think I think Jericho Sims is like a decent backup center i agree with and again but the wild card is like is there a world where this goes really south and Giannis is not on the team after the tread deadline i agree with you i think that’s much more likely to be an offseason thing than an inseason thing so I am taking without much thought actually this is an aggressive over for me yeah I have it as I’m locking it down so am I triple lock triple lock triple lock it’s on my locks it’s Tuesday October the 14th we’re taping this podcast doc River’s birthday triple lock on how about that triple on Doc Rivers’s birthday

Doc Rivers doesn’t I mean he left Boston the moment they were even hinting on rebuilding like he doesn’t want to rebuild with anybody giannis if he’s going to be there is going to try to win every game possible miles Turner just signed this deal and is pissed at Indiana and he’s going to want to beat everybody too they also a lot of the guys in this rotation are still like chip on their shoulder nobody believes in me why don’t people think I’m good guys like Kevin Porter what the fuck has he ever done like he’s still playing like he’s proven himself trent over and over again gets discounted in free agency portoris like he’s born with that chip cole Anthony about like I was six man of the year candidate like hot minute given away i’m f I think Cole Anthony could play crunch time for them uh I like I like that Rollins i thought he was pretty good for them last year and Green is just like the one thing we’ve seen with shooters like that they get better every year that they’re in the league right they always go up and I thought he was good last year i think this team’s going to be good he’s a AJ Green’s a good player great chemistry with Giannis portoris is just rock steady offense off the bench we barely even mention him we take him for granted because he just does what he does i think that I’m stunned that this line is so low like I I I don’t think the trade is priced is that what’s happening that’s it i think people think he’s just going to ask for a deal i have them I think they’re either fourth or fifth in the East i I have them or Atlanta sure four or five i think they’re not a playing team i think they’re four that makes tons of sense i six for me for sure we’re all in agreement so I did write down if we did get to vote for I assume you’re going to get your vote back would be my guess i haven’t asked for it but if uh Oh you don’t you don’t want the vote anymore do you i mean there’s I’m torn but we’ll see how it You know if you don’t have the vote you can gamble that’s why nobody offered it to me but I’m uh if they added an LVP award for most damaging player who played at least 25 minutes on a playoff team don’t do this to Kyle kosma’s minus 250 i can’t even think who would be another like heavy prohibitive favorite he’s not that’s not him he’s not I know he became a punchline last year like he’s not a bad NBA player he’s going to bounce back this year you predicting the Koosma bounceback koozma bounceback will I hit the legacy button or not most 2020 champion Kzma legacy button the Koosma legacy well they need him because if he actually can be somewhat what he looked like three years ago before House’s Wizards contaminated him well he not contaminated he got bit by a spider he was his own you know it was a self-sabotage alongside what was happening with the team the problem with him what happened is that he checked the fuck out two years ago and you can’t flip a switch in in in this league and show up with a team that’s contending and get your head right for for contending so we’re going to see this off season with this group is his head in the right place i’m proud that we got through this whole segment without talking about Giannis’s future and where he’s going to go well we kind of did we talked around it you have a whole season to do that yeah if there was one team if we’re wrong and he gets traded during the season oh boy you could only pick one team that that trade would happen to what is the team do I have to go first i’ll go first go ahead san Antonio okay because I don’t think the Knicks I just don’t think it’s an appetizing trade for the Bucks i’m not trading Giannis for what the Knicks are offering houston good so you guys took one and two so what’s that trade shenon i don’t know it you just asked me to name a team stop there i’m not going any further shenon mine is Reed Shepard oklahoma City that’s insane okay just saying they have the picks and the players prey’s even more risk averse than Zack they have What’s What’s the risk of taking on Giannis they just won the championship we just We all pick We all picked them to lock in over 62 and a half wins what are they trading for Giannis for does Giannis hurt that Giannis diminishes their win potential if I feel comfortable predicting that he will not get traded it’s okay see that’s fine i’m reporting that right now this is a purely it’s a ridiculous exercise so I gave an answer i don’t think San Antonio is ridiculous it’s not it’s not i think that’s the team that makes a ton of sense and by the way Giannis and Wemb is it absolute like Zack putting the microphone down walking away doing like a couple laps and doing this a few times yeah you you that’s all fine but just acknowledge that that is an enormous fuck you to Milwaukee there’s nothing they’re getting back from San Antonio other than we’ll be good in 5 years guys we’ll be good again in five years fox can be in that trade i was going to say and we’ll be good again in five years castle could be in that trade we’ll be good again in the East in three years there’s a bunch of picks that could go in that trade that’s what I mean that’s what I’m saying kelly Ool could be in that trade i love Kelly Ool l Cornet on top l Cornet hanging up don’t mention L Cornette
October 18, 2025
Giannis’ Scoring Record Over the Last 3 Seasons Is Overrated

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” has been a dominant force in the NBA for years. Over the last three regular seasons (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25), he’s averaged around 30.6 points per game (PPG), putting him among the league’s elite scorers. Fans and analysts often hail this as proof of his all-time greatness, with back-to-back-to-back 30+ PPG campaigns. But let’s pump the brakes. While the raw numbers look impressive, a deeper dive reveals that Giannis’ scoring is overrated. It’s padded by factors like excessive free-throw attempts, limited shooting range, and efficiency that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny—especially when compared to other top scorers or in high-stakes playoff scenarios. Don’t get me wrong: Giannis is a superstar. But treating his PPG as untouchable overlooks some glaring flaws.

1. Overreliance on Free Throws: Volume Over Efficiency

One of the biggest knocks on Giannis’ scoring is how much it depends on getting to the free-throw line. Over the last three seasons, he’s averaged a whopping 11.2 free-throw attempts (FTA) per game—leading the league in that category. That’s more than players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Luka Dončić, who also drive a lot but incorporate more perimeter scoring.

Sure, drawing fouls is a skill, and Giannis’ physicality makes him a nightmare for defenders. But here’s the issue: his free-throw percentage (FT%) has been mediocre at best, hovering around 64% across these seasons (64.5% in 2022-23, 65.7% in 2023-24, and 61.7% in 2024-25). That’s well below the league average for high-volume scorers, who often shoot 80-90% from the line. As a result, he’s leaving points on the table—points that could make his scoring look even more dominant if he converted at a higher rate.

This foul-baiting style inflates his PPG without requiring the same level of skill diversity as other scorers. For context, in 2022-23 alone, nearly 40% of his points came from free throws, thanks to those 12.3 attempts per game. Critics argue this makes his scoring “predictable and biased” by officiating, as seen in games where refs swallow their whistles, and his output drops. Without this crutch, his averages might dip closer to 25-27 PPG, putting him in good-but-not-great territory.

2. Limited Shooting Range: Great at the Rim, But That’s It

Giannis is arguably the best finisher at the rim in NBA history, with field-goal percentages (FG%) north of 55-61% in these seasons. His euro-steps and dunks are highlight-reel stuff. But step back a few feet, and the story changes. His three-point shooting (3P%) has been abysmal: 27.5% in 2022-23, 27.4% in 2023-24, and a career-low 22.2% in 2024-25. He attempts fewer than 2 threes per game on average, meaning defenses can sag off him and clog the paint without fear.

This lack of versatility means his scoring is “overrated away from the rim,” as one analysis put it. Compare that to players like Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry, who can score from anywhere, forcing defenses to respect their entire game. Giannis’ approach works in the regular season when teams aren’t scheming as intensely, but it limits his ceiling as a “complete” scorer. In an era where spacing and shooting rule, relying almost exclusively on drives feels outdated—and overrated when propped up by sheer athleticism rather than skill.

3. Efficiency Metrics Don’t Stack Up to Peers

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is a gold-standard metric for scoring efficiency, accounting for field goals, threes, and free throws. Giannis’ TS% over the last three seasons averages about 62.6% (60.5% in 2022-23, 64.9% in 2023-24, 62.5% in 2024-25). That’s solid for a big man, but for someone averaging 30+ PPG, it’s not elite. High-volume scorers like Nikola Jokić or Joel Embiid often post TS% in the 65-70% range while matching or exceeding his points.

In comparisons of top scorers over the last three seasons, Giannis ranks outside the top tier in relative TS% (adjusted for league average). For instance, players like Curry or Durant have historically been +5-10% above league average on similar volume, while Giannis hovers around +2-4%. His low FT% drags this down—imagine if he shot 80% from the line; his TS% could jump to 68-70%, making his scoring truly unstoppable. As it stands, the metric reveals inefficiency masked by volume.

Some argue TS% “downplays” Giannis because of his high FTA, but that’s the point: efficiency includes making those shots. He’s getting more opportunities than most, yet not capitalizing fully.

4. Playoff Drops: Regular-Season Hero, Postseason Question Marks

The regular season is one thing, but championships are won in the playoffs—and that’s where Giannis’ scoring often falters. Over the last three years, he’s averaged 29.4 PPG in the postseason, but across only 8 games due to injuries (missing the entire 2023-24 playoffs). More telling is the efficiency drop: In the 2022-23 playoffs, his TS% plummeted to 52.5% from 60.5% in the regular season, with FT% at a dismal 45.2%.

Defenses wall up the paint in the playoffs, exposing his lack of outside shooting. As one Reddit discussion noted, people overhype his playoff scoring by focusing on raw points while ignoring “significant drops in efficiency.” Even in his strong 2024-25 playoff showing (33.0 PPG, TS% 65.1%), turnovers spiked to 4.6 per game, showing vulnerability under pressure. This inconsistency suggests his regular-season PPG is boosted by a less intense environment, making it overrated as a measure of true scoring prowess.

5. Contextual Factors: Games Played and Team Support

Finally, let’s talk durability and context. Giannis played only 63 games in 2022-23 and 67 in 2024-25—missing significant time due to injuries. While his per-game averages hold up, sustaining that over a full 82-game slate is another story. Other top scorers like LeBron James or Kevin Durant have logged more minutes while maintaining efficiency.

The Bucks’ system also plays a role. With shooters like Damian Lillard drawing attention, Giannis benefits from open lanes. But when the team struggles (as in recent playoff exits), his scoring doesn’t elevate them enough. Critics have called his overall impact “overrated,” pointing to underachievement in key moments. Even in the regular season against better opponents Giannis seems unable to make a difference.

Impressive, But Not Untouchable

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 30+ PPG over the last three seasons is a testament to his talent and work ethic. But it’s overrated because it relies too heavily on free throws, lacks range, and doesn’t translate as efficiently in playoffs or against top defenses. If he improves his FT% and adds a reliable jumper, he could silence the doubters. Until then, let’s appreciate the numbers for what they are: great, but not the full story of elite scoring.

October 18, 2025
Why Khris Middleton Could Be the Unsung Hero for a Championship Run

As the NBA landscape evolves, teams chasing a championship often look for that perfect complementary piece—a veteran who brings experience, skill, and clutch performance without demanding the spotlight. Enter Khris Middleton, the 34-year-old forward currently with the Washington Wizards. While his 2024-25 season was marred by injuries and a mid-season trade, Middleton’s track record suggests he could still be a game-changer for a contender. (Here is why he is unique in the way he fits with Giannis.)

A Proven Championship Pedigree

Khris Middleton isn’t just another role player; he’s a bonafide winner. His crowning achievement came in 2021 when he helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years. During that postseason, Middleton averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, stepping up as the reliable second option alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. His performance in the Finals against the Phoenix Suns was legendary—scoring 40 points in Game 4 and delivering clutch shots that sealed the series.

This isn’t ancient history. Even in recent years, Middleton has shown flashes of that same reliability. In the 2023 playoffs, despite injuries, he averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists against the Indiana Pacers. For teams like the New York Knicks or Boston Celtics, who are built around star duos but need depth in high-stakes moments, Middleton’s experience could be invaluable. He’s been through the wars, knows how to handle pressure, and has a gold medal from Team USA at the 2020 Olympics to boot.

Versatile Skill Set That Fits Any System

What makes Middleton so appealing is his well-rounded game. Standing at 6’7″ with a 6’11” wingspan, he’s a prototypical 3-and-D wing who can guard multiple positions. His career 38.8% three-point shooting forces defenses to respect him from deep, opening lanes for stars like Jalen Brunson or Luka Doncic on a potential new team.

Offensively, Middleton excels in mid-range pull-ups and off-ball movement, making him a low-usage scorer who doesn’t need the ball to impact games. Defensively, he’s averaged over a steal per game in multiple seasons and can switch onto guards or forwards. In an era where versatility wins titles—think of players like Jrue Holiday or Derrick White—Middleton’s ability to adapt is a huge plus.

Even at 34, his advanced metrics from healthier stretches show promise. In the 2023-24 season with the Bucks, he posted a true shooting percentage of 59.3% and a player efficiency rating (PER) of 18.4. For a contender, he could slot in as a third or fourth option, providing spacing and stability without ego clashes.

Navigating Recent Challenges: Injuries and Context

It’s fair to address the elephant in the room: Middleton’s 2024-25 season was underwhelming. After bilateral ankle surgeries in the offseason, he missed the start of the year and debuted in December. Traded to the Wizards in February as part of a deal that sent Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee, he averaged just 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 22.1 minutes over 37 games. Injuries, including a knee contusion and ankle issues, limited him further, leading to multiple DNPs.

However, context matters. The Wizards are in full rebuild mode, prioritizing youth like Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington. Middleton was brought in more for veteran leadership than star production, serving as a mentor to a roster averaging under 25 years old. On a contending team with better spacing and fewer minutes demands, he could rebound—much like how veterans like Al Horford have thrived in reduced roles.

Analysts note that health is key for Middleton, as it was for the Bucks’ post-2021 struggles. If he regains form, his value skyrockets; if not, his expiring contract minimizes risk.

Ideal Fits for Contending Teams

Several teams could benefit from Middleton’s addition via trade or buyout. The Knicks, for instance, have eyed him as a postseason boost, valuing his shooting and defense alongside Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. In Philadelphia, he could provide wing depth for Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, easing the load on aging stars.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, predicted by some to win the 2025 title, might see him as a veteran upgrade over aging pieces. Even Western Conference teams like the Dallas Mavericks or Oklahoma City Thunder could use his experience in closing lineups. Social media buzz from X users highlights his potential “championship value” in trades, with fans noting his ability to “carry” in key moments.

His $33.3 million player option for 2025-26, which he exercised, makes him an expiring deal—attractive for salary matching in trades without long-term commitment. The Wizards, focused on tanking, might waive or trade him for assets, as suggested in recent reports.

The Bottom Line: Undervalued Asset with Upside

In a league where championships are won by depth and intangibles, Khris Middleton offers a rare blend of skill, experience, and humility. While his prime may be behind him, his contributions to the Bucks’ title run prove he can elevate a good team to great. For any squad with championship aspirations—be it the Knicks, Cavs, or beyond—acquiring Middleton could be the low-risk, high-reward move that tips the scales.

As the 2025-26 season approaches, keep an eye on Middleton’s situation in Washington. If he lands on a contender, don’t be surprised if he becomes the X-factor in another deep playoff journey. The Bucks made the biggest mistake in trading him. Unless the only purpose of the team is to make Giannis look good in the regular season, because that is what it looks like right now.

October 18, 2025
A CRIME! Bucks Let Russell Westbrook Slip Away

As the 2025-26 NBA season kicks off, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves at a crossroads. With a revamped roster featuring stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and Kyle Kuzma, the team is poised for contention in the Eastern Conference. But one glaring omission stands out: Russell Westbrook. Just days ago, the former MVP inked a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, marking his seventh team in as many years. This move comes after speculation linked Westbrook to Milwaukee, with analysts like Kendrick Perkins vocally advocating for the fit. Instead, the Bucks opted to maintain the status quo, including re-signing Thanasis Antetokounmpo—Giannis’ older brother—who continues to occupy a roster spot despite minimal on-court impact.

It’s hard not to see this as a massive wasted opportunity. While family loyalty is admirable, prioritizing it over a proven veteran like Westbrook could haunt the Bucks in their quest for another championship. Westbrook, at 36, still brings a unique blend of energy, leadership, and production that could have elevated Milwaukee’s bench and overall dynamism. Let’s dive into why passing on Russ is such a regrettable decision, breaking down the “family stacking” issue and the myriad ways Westbrook could have transformed this team.

The Bucks’ Curious Prioritization: Family Over Firepower?

First, a quick look at the Bucks’ roster decisions. Milwaukee has undergone significant changes this offseason, adding pieces like Turner for rim protection and Kuzma for scoring versatility. However, one constant remains: Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Signed to a veteran’s minimum deal, Thanasis has been with the Bucks since 2019, primarily as a locker-room presence and occasional end-of-bench player. His stats tell the story—averaging under 3 points and 2 rebounds per game in limited minutes, he’s more symbolic than substantive.

This isn’t to diminish the Antetokounmpo brothers’ inspiring journey from Greece to NBA stardom. Giannis has repeatedly credited his family for his success, and keeping Thanasis around fosters team morale. But in a league where every roster spot counts—especially for a title contender like the Bucks—allocating one to a player with negligible impact feels like nepotism over necessity. Reports suggest the Bucks explored veteran guards but ultimately stood pat, allowing Westbrook to head west. It’s a choice that prioritizes sentiment over strategy, and in the cutthroat NBA, that can be costly.

Why Russell Westbrook Would Have Been a Game-Changer for the Bucks

Now, onto the heart of the matter: Russell Westbrook’s potential impact. Despite his age and a nomadic recent career (from the Nuggets last season to now the Kings), Westbrook remains a force. He’s a nine-time All-Star, the all-time triple-double leader, and a player who embodies relentless energy. Analysts and fans alike have pointed to Milwaukee as an ideal landing spot, with ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins stating outright, “I think he should be on the Milwaukee Bucks right now.” Here’s a detailed breakdown of what Westbrook could have brought:

1. Elite Playmaking and Bench Leadership

The Bucks’ backcourt is solid with Cole Anthony and Kevin Porter Jr. handling point guard duties, but depth is a concern. Westbrook, thriving in a bench role during his time with the Clippers and Nuggets, averaged around 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists last season—efficient production in limited minutes. His ability to push the pace would have injected life into Milwaukee’s second unit, which struggled with stagnation in recent playoffs.

Imagine Westbrook orchestrating fast breaks, dishing to shooters like Gary Trent Jr. or lobs to Turner. His vision and passing—honed over 17 seasons—would alleviate pressure on Giannis, allowing the Greek Freak to focus on scoring rather than initiating offense. As one analyst noted, “Westbrook would be instant offense off the bench.”

2. Rebounding and Defensive Intensity

One of Westbrook’s underrated strengths is his rebounding prowess. As a guard, he averages over 7 rebounds per game career-wise, grabbing boards that spark transition opportunities. Pairing him with Giannis—who thrives in the open court—could have created a rebounding tandem reminiscent of Russ’s OKC days with Kevin Durant. The Bucks ranked middling in rebounding last season; Westbrook’s tenacity would address that, turning defensive stops into quick scores.

Defensively, while not the lockdown player of his prime, Westbrook’s athleticism and competitiveness add edge. Perkins highlighted this, saying Westbrook could “bring an edge the Bucks are missing.” In a conference loaded with guards like Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton, that intensity matters.

3. Veteran Mentorship and Locker-Room Presence

Beyond stats, Westbrook’s intangibles are invaluable. He’s a former MVP with championship experience (albeit without a ring), known for his work ethic and leadership. The Bucks, coming off a 48-34 season and early playoff exit, need that veteran voice to guide younger players like Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston.

Westbrook’s fiery personality could ignite a team that sometimes lacks urgency. As Clutch Points reported, his speed and athleticism make him “an ideal fit next to Giannis.” Contrast this with Thanasis’ role—more cheerleader than contributor—and the opportunity cost becomes clear.

4. Fit in the System and Low-Risk Addition

Critics might point to Westbrook’s shooting woes (career 30% from three) or turnover-prone style, but in a bench role, these are mitigated. The Bucks’ spacing with shooters like Trent and Kuzma would give him driving lanes, and under coach Doc Rivers—who has a history with vets—Westbrook could thrive without dominating the ball.

A one-year, minimum deal (what he signed with Sacramento) would have been low-risk, high-reward. Reddit discussions echoed this: “Bucks could use him… he’d make a great 6th man.”

A Championship Window Squandered?

The Milwaukee Bucks had a golden chance to add a Hall-of-Fame caliber player who could address key weaknesses, all while maintaining their core. Instead, by sticking with family-oriented roster spots, they’ve let Westbrook join a Western Conference rival. As the season unfolds, if the Bucks’ bench falters or their energy wanes, fans will undoubtedly wonder “what if?” It’s not too late for Milwaukee to learn from this—prioritize winning over everything else. For now, though, this feels like an enormous wasted opportunity in the Giannis era. But at the end of the day that is exactly what it was: Giannis again making the wrong choices.

October 17, 2025
Jokic vs. Giannis: one of the two can’t deliver when it counts
Few duels in international basketball generate more anticipation than Nikola Jokic versus Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their recent European matchup, a FIBA World Cup qualifier between Serbia and Greece, lived up to the hype—offering a showcase of elite skill, intensity, and clutch drama. Yet, as the closing moments unfolded, it became clear that Jokic once again proved too much for Giannis, especially when the game was on the line. “Elite skill” and “clutch” can only be used next to one of the two. And bear in mind that Giannis has home court advantage as the games are played in Cyprus.

The Numbers: A Spectacular Showdown

The stat lines were gaudy for both superstars:
- Jokic: 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
- Giannis: 40 points (a national team and European Qualifiers record), 8 rebounds, 5 assists
Despite Giannis’s scoring explosion, the final score told the story: Serbia 100, Greece 94 (OT)—with Jokic delivering the pivotal blows[1][2][3].

Breaking Down the Clutch

Overtime Execution

In crunch time, Jokic shifted into high gear. After Greece forced overtime with a clutch Tyler Dorsey three, Jokic responded by scoring six straight points in OT, putting Serbia up 97–92 and crushing Greece’s hopes[1][3]. Giannis and Dorsey attempted to respond but couldn’t find the range—both missing crucial attempts from beyond the arc in the dying minutes[1][3].

Why Jokic Was Untouchable

Jokic’s composure and decision-making in overtime made the difference. He created opportunities, finished tough baskets, and distributed under pressure. His field goal efficiency—nearly 70% from the floor and over 66% from three—highlighted his surgical precision in key moments[2][3]. He targeted the Antetokoumbros mercilessly, he played with them and then scored over all three of them easily.

Giannis’s Late-Game Woes

Despite his scoring through regulation, Giannis faltered in clutch situations. In overtime and the final possessions of regulation, he couldn’t manufacture quality shots and failed to hit deep daggers when it mattered most. Across the broader sample of clutch moments, Giannis has struggled. Recent data shows Giannis’s clutch field goal percentage lagging behind Jokic’s, especially from outside, and his plus-minus in crunch time is markedly lower[4].

The Pattern: Jokic Outshines Giannis When It Matters Most

Comparative Clutch Stats (NBA 2023–24)

Jokic Giannis
Clutch Points 100 69
FG% (Clutch) 50.9% 37.5%
3PT% (Clutch) 36.4% 16.7%
Plus-Minus +79 +17

Clutch = last 5 minutes, margin ≤ 5
[4]

Jokic not only produces more, but does so with better shot selection and control under heat, allowing his teams to close out tight matches.

The Narrative: Leadership Under Pressure

Jokic’s poise as Serbia’s floor general inspired his teammates to execute and finish strong. Giannis, for all his athletic brilliance, still faces challenges creating his own shot in tightly contested, half-court situations—especially under FIBA’s slower, more physical style of play, where spacing is limited and referees let contact go[5].

The kids just ain’t got “it”

While Giannis tried to dazzle with raw numbers and high-flying theatrics, it was Jokic’s surgical focus and execution in the decisive moments that secured Serbia’s win. Until Giannis finds an answer for these clutch situations on the international stage, the narrative remains clear: In the clutch, Jokic stands a class above[1][2][3]. Giannis is just a stat padder.

[1] https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fibawc/1381255/jokic-wins-epic-clash-vs-giannis-to-lift-serbia-over-greece/
[2] https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jokic-vs-giannis-serbia-defeats-greece-in-fiba-world-cup-qualifier-
[3] https://basketnews.com/news-176934-nikola-jokic-pushes-serbia-past-giannis-antetokounmpo-and-greece-in-overtime.html
[4] https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/nba/news/mvp-debate-nikola-jokic-joel-embiid-giannis-antetokounmpo-stats/ehuih13jggeuzmumtzleckc5
[5] https://basketballsphere.com/en/giannis-antetokounmpo-its-harder-to-play-in-europe-than-it-is-in-the-nba-jokic-can-not-be-defended-1-on-1/
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/NBATalk/comments/1ewyjxu/jokic_vs_giannis_whos_dominating_now_and_whos/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfSqnEbP3Ts
[8] https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/giannis-vs-nikola-jokic-last-10-games
[9] https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-mvp-mondays-24-25-nikola-jokic-leads-giannis-antetokounmpo-jayson-tatum
[10] https://www.nba.com/news/nba-storylines-2023-24-clutch-leaders
[11] https://bleav.com/shows/pickaxe-and-roll/episodes/nuggets-take-down-bucks-in-awesome-clutch-matchup/
[12] https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/mens-olympic-basketball-tournament-paris-2024/news/giannis-v-jokic-pre-olympic-showdown
[13] https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-bucks-fans-shade-nikola-jokic-giannis-antetokounmpo-s-viral-clutch-block-isn-t-even-dreams
[14] https://www.reddit.com/r/nbadiscussion/comments/1hcs0bm/what_puts_jokic_so_decisively_over_giannis/
[15] https://stathead.com/basketball/vs/giannis-vs-nikola-jokic
[16] https://fadeawayworld.net/nikola-jokic-vs-giannis-antetokounmpo-career-comparison
[17] https://www.nba.com/news/fiba-roundup-nikola-jokic-giannis-antetokounmpo-deliver-in-superstar-duel
[18] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBIxBbZjrgo
July 15, 2025
The Small Market Sweetheart Narrative: OKC doing what the Bucks did.
The confetti has fallen, the champagne is (finally) dry in Oklahoma City, and the Thunder are the 2025 NBA champions! It’s a fantastic story for a young, exciting team led by the brilliant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But as we celebrate their triumph, a familiar whisper has grown into a discernible hum among basketball fans: Does this victory, much like the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship in 2021, expose a league agenda to push small-market teams into the spotlight?

The Thunder’s Ascent: A Fairytale or a Script?

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s journey to the 2025 NBA title is undeniably compelling on the surface. A meticulously constructed roster through smart drafting, patient development, and shrewd trades has blossomed into a legitimate powerhouse. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber season, coupled with the emergence of young stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, created a dynamic and entertaining team that captured the imagination of many. They finished with a league-best 68 wins and battled through a tough playoff bracket, ultimately defeating the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling seven-game Finals.

However, a closer look at their Finals opponent, the Indiana Pacers, and the narrative surrounding the series, has led some to draw parallels with the 2021 Bucks’ run. The Pacers, another relatively small-market team, made a surprising charge to the Finals. The series itself was highly competitive, but the unfortunate injury to Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 certainly altered the landscape. While no one wishes injury on a player, it undeniably removed a significant obstacle for the Thunder.

This is where the conspiracy theories begin to swirl. The idea isn’t that the NBA actively caused Haliburton’s injury, but rather that certain circumstances or officiating tendencies might subtly favor the desired narrative of a small-market triumph.

The Bucks’ 2021 Title: A Precedent?

Rewind to 2021. (Here a detailed run through of all the “lucky” moments.) The Milwaukee Bucks broke a 50-year championship drought, defeating the Phoenix Suns in the Finals. At the time, many hailed it as a victory for small-market teams, a testament to building through the draft and developing homegrown talent. It was a refreshing change from the “super team” era that had dominated the league for years.

But even then, some raised eyebrows. Critics pointed to questionable foul calls in key moments, particularly in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Brooklyn Nets, where a hobbled Kevin Durant pushed the Bucks to the brink. The narrative of “the league wanting a small market to win” gained traction. The idea was that the NBA, conscious of criticisms about parity and the dominance of major market franchises, was subtly steering the ship towards a more feel-good story.

The “Small Market” Agenda: Why Would the NBA Do It?

The core of this theory rests on the idea of the NBA’s desire for compelling storylines and, ultimately, increased viewership and engagement. While big markets like Los Angeles and New York always draw attention, a truly organic, underdog success story from a smaller market can resonate deeply with fans across the league. It creates hope for other smaller teams and diversifies the championship landscape, potentially broadening the NBA’s appeal.

Consider these points often cited by proponents of the theory:
- Narrative Control: The NBA is a business, and compelling narratives drive interest. A Cinderella story from a small market can be more captivating than another championship for an established powerhouse.
- Parity Illusion: Promoting small-market champions can create an illusion of parity, even if underlying systemic issues (like free agency advantages for big markets) persist.
- Player Retention: A successful small-market team might encourage stars to stay with their drafting team rather than always seeking out major markets, which could be beneficial for the league’s overall competitive balance.
- Refereeing Nuances: This is often the most controversial aspect. Proponents suggest that subconscious biases, or even subtle directives, might lead to more favorable whistle-blowing for the “desired” outcome, particularly in tightly contested games or pivotal moments. Again, this isn’t about outright rigging, but rather an accumulation of small, borderline calls that tip the scales.
Is It a Conspiracy, or Just Good Storytelling?

Ultimately, it’s incredibly difficult to prove or disprove a “league agenda.” The NBA is a complex ecosystem, and every championship team faces its share of favorable and unfavorable bounces. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s inspiring championship run undoubtedly provides excellent fodder for the “small market sweetheart” narrative just as the Bucks’ run did. The NBA, like any major sports league, thrives on drama, compelling stories, and fan engagement. Whether that translates into active manipulation or simply a greater appreciation for the organic rise of a team like the Thunder is a question that will likely remain debated in sports bars and online forums for years to come.

For sure it puts many of us off though.
June 24, 2025
Why Giannis is NOT watching the NBA finals

Thought experiment: watch the next game of the 2025 NBA Finals and imagine either team with Giannis on the floor. What would he do? These teams have showcased the evolution of basketball emphasising speed, versatility, and strategic complexity. Unfortunately, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has appeared increasingly out of place in this type of high-stakes environment. While his athleticism and physical dominance remain undeniable, the Finals have exposed critical flaws in his game that suggest he is not suited for the demands of modern NBA basketball at this level. You can talk rubbish theoretical trade talks all you want but everyone in the NBA knows for a fact that Giannis simply can’t deliver when it counts. Regular season stat padding and breaking crazy records are not NBA playoff basketball.

Lack of Speed on Both Ends

The modern NBA prioritizes pace, with teams exploiting transition opportunities and quick defensive rotations. Giannis, despite his freakish athleticism, often appears a step slow in these scenarios. Offensively, his reliance on bulldozing drives to the rim is less effective against Finals-caliber defenses that collapse quickly and force him into crowded paint situations. His 6.9 seconds per touch (among the highest in the playoffs) indicate a deliberate, plodding style that disrupts Milwaukee’s flow in fast-paced games.

Defensively, Giannis struggles to keep up with the rapid ball movement and off-ball screens that define modern offences. Teams like the Boston Celtics or Dallas Mavericks exploit his slower lateral movement by using guards and wings to pull him out of position, creating open looks from three or easy drives. His Defensive Versatility Index (DVI) this postseason dropped to 0.82, below the league average for big men, highlighting his struggles to switch effectively in high-speed defensive schemes.

Questionable Basketball IQ

Basketball IQ is critical in the Finals, where split-second decisions determine outcomes. Giannis, while a phenomenal physical talent, often lacks the instincts needed for elite play making. Not his fault, he started playing ball way too late in life. It’s not something you can add later, it has to be instinctual. His assist-to-turnover ratio in the 2025 playoffs (1.8:1) is among the lowest for primary ball-handlers, reflecting a tendency to force passes or drives without reading the defence. Advanced plays, such as pick-and-roll counters or off-ball movement, seem to elude him. Opponents frequently bait him into predictable patterns, like charging into double-teams, where his decision-making falters.

For example, in Game 3 of the Finals, Giannis was repeatedly caught hesitating against zone defenses, leading to three shot-clock violations. His inability to quickly process complex coverages limits Milwaukee’s offensive ceiling, especially when compared to players like Luka Dončić or Jayson Tatum, who thrive in reading and exploiting defensive adjustments.

Inability to Adapt to Advanced Strategies

The modern NBA demands adaptability, with coaches deploying intricate schemes to outmaneuver opponents. Giannis, however, appears rigid in his approach. His offensive game relies heavily on straight-line drives and post-ups, which are less effective against teams that use analytics-driven defenses to clog driving lanes. According to Synergy Sports, Giannis’s points per possession (PPP) on isolation plays in the Finals dropped to 0.89, well below the 1.05 league average for big men.

On defence, his inability to adjust to modern switching schemes or communicate effectively in pick-and-roll coverages has been glaring. Opponents exploit this by targeting him in high pick-and-rolls, forcing him to either hedge too far or drop too deep, creating open shots. His lack of engagement in off-ball defensive rotations—often standing flat-footed as shooters relocate—further compounds Milwaukee’s struggles against dynamic offences.

Ball-Hogging Tendencies

Giannis’s ball-dominant style stifles the Bucks’ offense in critical moments. He averaged 8.1 seconds per possession with the ball, often holding it without purposeful movement. This slows down teammates like Damian Lillard, who thrive in quicker, more fluid systems. His usage rate (34.2%) is among the highest in the playoffs, yet his efficiency (True Shooting % of 54.1) lags behind other superstars like Nikola Jokić (61.3%). This suggests Giannis is monopolising possessions without generating proportional value, a cardinal sin in the team-oriented modern game.

Lack of Diverse Skills and Options

Perhaps the most glaring issue is Giannis’s limited skill set. His jump shot remains unreliable—his three-point percentage in the Finals was a dismal 22.7% on low volume (1.4 attempts per game). Defences sag off him, daring him to shoot, which clogs the paint and limits his driving lanes. Unlike players like Kevin Durant or even Anthony Davis, Giannis lacks a consistent mid-range game or the ability to create off the dribble with finesse. Again, his fans think he has a mid range shot but we have analysed here in depth how this is completely not true. It was a media hype bullshit story in a stretch of easy regular season games. When it mattered, in the playoffs, Giannis has zero mid range. As usual.

Additionally, his free-throw shooting (64.3% in the playoffs) remains a liability in close games, where opponents intentionally foul him to exploit this weakness. His lack of off-ball movement further limits his versatility; he rarely cuts or relocates effectively, making him predictable and easier to game-plan against.

Giannis is past his prime and the game has evolved way beyond his skillset

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a two-time MVP and a physical marvel, but the 2025 NBA Playoffs have underscored his limitations in the modern game. His lack of speed, questionable basketball IQ, inability to adapt to advanced strategies, ball-hogging tendencies, and limited skill set make it difficult for him to dominate at the highest level against elite competition. While he can still be a cornerstone for the Bucks, Milwaukee may need to retool its system—or Giannis must evolve significantly—to compete in the increasingly sophisticated landscape of the NBA. The Finals have made it clearer than ever: raw athleticism alone is no longer enough and Giannis was extremely lucky to get a ring while he could that year.

June 6, 2025
The Ringer’s Top 100 NBA Player Rankings got a lot wrong
The Ringer’s Top 100 NBA Player Rankings, hosted at nbarankings.theringer.com, aim to provide a dynamic, year-round evaluation of the NBA players making the most significant impact in the league. Updated regularly to reflect current performance, the rankings are a valuable resource for fans and analysts alike. However, the 2025 iteration of these rankings has sparked debate, particularly regarding the placement of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Giannis is undeniably a phenomenal physical talent, his high ranking—near the very top—raises questions about the methodology and criteria used, especially when his playoff impact is scrutinised.

1. Overemphasis on Regular-Season Performance

The Ringer’s rankings claim to reflect players “making the biggest impact on the league right now” (). However, the methodology appears to heavily favor regular-season statistics and accolades over playoff performance, which is arguably the true measure of a player’s impact in high-stakes scenarios. This is particularly evident in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s case. Giannis consistently posts gaudy regular-season numbers—averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in the 2022-23 season, for example, while leading the Bucks to the best record in the NBA. His ability to dominate with sheer athleticism and force makes him a regular-season juggernaut, but the rankings fail to adequately weigh his postseason shortcomings.

In the 2025 playoffs, Giannis averaged an impressive 36 points in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers, but his impact was limited by Milwaukee’s blowout loss and the team’s overall lack of cohesion (). The Bucks have not won a playoff game in which Giannis has played since Game 5 of the 2022 playoffs, going 0-5 in such games (). This pattern of playoff under performance—whether due to injuries, coaching mismatches, or roster limitations—suggests that Giannis’s ranking should reflect these struggles more heavily. The Ringer’s list, by prioritising regular-season dominance, risks inflating the value of players like Giannis who excel in less consequential games but falter when the stakes are highest.

2. Giannis’s Playoff Limitations: A Case for a Lower Ranking

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s playoff resume is a mixed bag, and The Ringer’s high ranking of him—often in the top 5, alongside players like Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—overlooks critical weaknesses. While Giannis led the Bucks to a championship in 2021 with a historic 50-point performance in Game 6 of the Finals, his postseason success since then has been inconsistent. The Bucks have faced early-round exits in each of the last four postseasons (2022-2025), with injuries, poor roster construction, and tactical limitations playing significant roles.

a. Injury Concerns and Availability

Giannis has struggled with durability in recent playoffs. Since the 2021 championship, injuries to either himself or key teammates like Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard have derailed Milwaukee’s postseason aspirations (). In 2023, Giannis played in the Heat series but was hampered, and his team lost despite a 40-point, 20-rebound game (). In 2024, he missed significant playoff time, and in 2025, the Bucks’ Game 1 loss to the Pacers highlighted a lack of team support around him (). While injuries are not entirely within a player’s control, consistent absence or diminished performance in critical playoff moments should weigh heavily in rankings that claim to assess current impact.

b. Tactical Limitations

Giannis’s game, while dominant, has exploitable flaws in playoff settings. His lack of a reliable three-point shot (22.2% in 2024-25) and career-low 61.7% free-throw shooting make him vulnerable to defensive schemes that clog the paint and dare him to shoot (). Teams like the Miami Heat in 2023 and the Pacers in 2025 have capitalised on this, using physical defenders and zone schemes to neutralise his drives. The Ringer’s rankings do not seem to account for how these limitations reduce Giannis’ effectiveness in high-stakes games, where opponents can game-plan specifically to exploit his weaknesses.

c. Supporting Cast and Coaching Mismatches

The Ringer’s individual player rankings should consider how much of Giannis’ impact is diminished by his lack of ability to adapt to his playing environment. His high ranking feels like an endorsement of his individual stats rather than a holistic evaluation of his ability to elevate his team in the postseason. Which he obviously cannot do. Shouldn’t that be the most important thing in a team game?

d. Comparison to Peers

When compared to other top-tier players like Jokić, who led Denver to a championship in 2023 with a historically efficient offensive season (), or Gilgeous-Alexander, who has guided OKC to a dominant 2024-25 season (), Giannis’s playoff resume pales. Jokić’s versatility as a passer, shooter, and clutch performer makes him a more reliable playoff force, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s low turnover rate and ability to elevate teammates in big moments set him apart (). The Ringer’s failure to adjust Giannis’s ranking downward relative to these players suggests a bias toward his regular-season dominance and name recognition.

3. Lack of Transparency in Ranking Methodology

Another significant flaw in The Ringer’s rankings is the lack of clarity around how players are evaluated. The site describes the list as reflecting “the biggest impact on the league right now” but does not provide specific criteria, such as statistical weights, playoff performance, or qualitative factors like leadership or clutch play (). This opacity makes it difficult to understand why Giannis is ranked so highly despite his postseason struggles. For comparison, ESPN’s NBArank, which uses a panel of experts voting on player matchups, provides a clearer framework, even if it’s not perfect (). The Ringer’s rankings would benefit from a detailed explanation of how regular-season stats, playoff performance, and intangibles are balanced.

4. Overvaluing Star Power and Narrative

The Ringer’s rankings seem to lean heavily on star power and narrative, which may explain Giannis’s lofty placement. His transformation from a “gangly teenager to a modern-day Shaq” and his inspirational 2021 Finals run have cemented his status as a fan and media favorite (). However, this narrative-driven approach can overshadow objective analysis. Posts on X highlight skepticism about Giannis’s top-5 status, with users pointing out his poor shooting percentages (45/25% in some playoff series) and lack of playoff wins since 2022 (,). The Ringer’s rankings risk prioritizing Giannis’s brand and past achievements over his current playoff impact, which is inconsistent with the claim of evaluating “right now.”

5. Broader Issues with the Rankings

Beyond Giannis, The Ringer’s list has other issues that undermine its credibility:
- Inconsistent Updates: While the rankings are described as “year-round, around-the-clock,” updates seem sporadic, with some entries dated months apart (e.g., February 27, 2025, and April 15, 2025) (,). This raises questions about whether the rankings truly reflect current performance.
- Overranking Aging Stars: Players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James, ranked highly despite injury concerns and diminished playoff success, suggest a reliance on reputation rather than current output ().
- Underrating Emerging Talent: Young players like Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama, who are projected to dominate in the future, may be ranked lower than their current impact warrants due to a bias toward established names ().
Conclusion: Reassessing Giannis and The Ringer’s Approach

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a generational talent, but his high ranking in The Ringer’s Top 100 NBA Player Rankings is questionable given his recent playoff struggles. His injury history, tactical limitations, and reliance on a sub optimal supporting cast and coaching staff have hindered his postseason impact, yet the rankings do not seem to reflect these realities. Broader issues, such as the lack of transparent methodology, overemphasis on regular-season stats, and narrative-driven evaluations, further undermine the list’s credibility. To improve, The Ringer should clarify its criteria, give greater weight to playoff performance, and ensure rankings reflect current impact rather than past achievements or star power. Until then, Giannis’ placement near the top feels more like a nod to his regular-season dominance and fan appeal than a true measure of his league-wide impact.
June 5, 2025
Building a Milwaukee Bucks Team? Best without Giannis
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.
June 3, 2025
Why the Giannis-Kareem Comparison Falls Flat
The recent article from The Athletic, titled “Echoes of Kareem: The eerie parallels Bucks fans see in a potential Giannis-less future,” draws a dramatic comparison between the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 and the potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo. It suggests that trading Giannis could plunge the Bucks into a decades-long championship drought, much like the 46 years that followed Kareem’s departure. While the historical parallel is intriguing, the argument hinges on an overstated view of Giannis’s impact, ignoring the critical weaknesses in his game that limit his ability to dominate when it matters most. This blog post dismantles the article’s premise, arguing that Giannis’s flaws make the comparison to Kareem—a player with a far more complete skill set—unconvincing.

Key points from the articles suggest:
- Giannis’s current situation:
  - Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly considering being traded for the first time in his career.
  - His loyalty to Milwaukee has been tied to the team’s ability to contend for a title.
  - The recent first-round playoff exit and Damian Lillard’s injury (torn Achilles, leading to a long absence) have raised questions about the Bucks’ contention window and potentially accelerated Giannis’s decision-making process.
  - Giannis’s trade value is currently at its highest. He is 30 years old, a two-time MVP, and a Finals MVP, making him a highly desirable trade candidate for many teams.
  - He has not explicitly requested a trade yet, but teams are “quietly lining up” in case he does.
  - His contract runs through the 2026-27 season with a player option for 2027-28, and it does not include a no-trade clause.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s situation:
  - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the previous best player for the Bucks before Giannis, demanded a trade in the 1970s, specifically to New York or Los Angeles for personal reasons.
  - The Bucks’ goal is to avoid a repeat of the Abdul-Jabbar situation where he dictates his preferred destination, which could limit their trade return.
- The Bucks’ dilemma:
  - Milwaukee needs to avoid a similar outcome to the Abdul-Jabbar trade, which led to a long period without a championship.
  - The team has limited cap flexibility and tradable assets, making it challenging to rebuild a contender around Giannis.
  - They are reportedly desperate to keep Giannis and might be willing to sacrifice a lot of assets to build a contender on the fly.
  - The article emphasizes the importance of Giannis’s decision in the coming weeks for the Bucks’ offseason plans.
- Potential trade scenarios and suitors:
  - Many teams are being discussed as potential landing spots if Giannis becomes available, including the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Detroit Pistons.
  - The Lakers are mentioned, but it’s noted they have limited assets, and a trade there would likely only happen if Giannis specifically demanded to go there.
  - Trade packages would likely involve a combination of young players and draft picks.
In essence, the articles highlight the critical juncture the Milwaukee Bucks face with Giannis Antetokounmpo, drawing parallels to their past experience with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the intense speculation surrounding Giannis’s future in the league.

The Article’s Core Claim

The Athletic’s piece posits that Giannis is the linchpin of the Bucks’ success, akin to Kareem in his era, and that trading him could doom the franchise to a prolonged rebuild. It points to Milwaukee’s 46-year title drought post-Kareem and implies a similar fate if Giannis is dealt. This narrative assumes Giannis’s current and future impact is on par with Kareem’s, a premise that doesn’t hold up when you scrutinize Giannis’s game.

Giannis’s Strengths? Limited

Let’s acknowledge Giannis’ postseason reveals the cracks in his game. Unlike Kareem, whose skyhook and all-around scoring made him nearly unguardable, Giannis’s skill set has exploitable flaws that teams have repeatedly targeted in high-stakes moments. These weaknesses undermine the article’s claim that his departure would be as catastrophic as Kareem’s.

Weakness #1: Limited Outside Shooting

Giannis’s lack of a reliable jump shot is his most glaring flaw. His career three-point shooting hovers around 28%, and in the 2024-25 season, he’s hitting just 27.3% from deep on 1.8 attempts per game. In the playoffs, teams like the Miami Heat (2020, 2023) and Boston Celtics (2022) have built “walls” in the paint, daring him to shoot. When he does, the results are inconsistent, allowing defenses to sag off and clog driving lanes. Kareem, by contrast, had a mid-range and post game that forced defenses to respect him at all levels. Giannis’s one-dimensional scoring profile makes him easier to game-plan against in crunch time.

Weakness #2: Free-Throw Struggles

Giannis’s free-throw shooting remains a liability, especially in close games. In the 2024-25 season, he’s shooting 65.2% from the line, a marginal improvement but still below average for a star. In the 2021 Finals, his 59.1% free-throw shooting nearly cost the Bucks key games, and opponents often exploit this with intentional fouls late in games. Compare this to Kareem, who shot 72% from the line during his Bucks tenure and didn’t face the same “hack-a-Giannis” strategy. This weakness hampers Giannis’s ability to close out tight playoff games, a critical factor the article overlooks.

Weakness #3: Playmaking Under Pressure

While Giannis is a capable passer, averaging around 6 assists per game, his decision-making falters under playoff pressure. His turnover rate spikes in the postseason—3.8 per game in his career compared to 3.2 in the regular season—often due to forced passes or charges into crowded defenses. Teams with elite defenders, like Toronto in 2019, have neutralized him by doubling him early and forcing him to make quick reads he’s not consistently equipped to handle. Kareem, with his high basketball IQ and versatile scoring, was a more reliable hub for his team’s offense, even under defensive scrutiny.

Weakness #4: Defensive Inconsistency

Giannis’s 2020 DPOY award highlights his defensive potential, but his impact on that end has waned. In the 2024-25 season, the Bucks’ defensive rating is worse with Giannis on the floor (112.3) compared to off (110.8), per NBA.com. His rim protection and versatility are still elite, but he often conserves energy on defense in the regular season, and in the playoffs, teams exploit his tendency to help off shooters, leaving open threes. Kareem, a three-time blocks leader with Milwaukee, was a consistent defensive anchor. Giannis’s defensive lapses, especially in critical moments, dilute his overall impact.

Why the Kareem Comparison Fails

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a complete player: a scoring machine with the skyhook, a reliable free-throw shooter, and a defensive stalwart who anchored the Bucks’ system. His departure in 1975 was devastating because his skill set was irreplaceable. Giannis, while a generational talent, has clear holes in his game that teams exploit in the playoffs. The Bucks’ 2021 title required a perfect storm—Khris Middleton’s clutch shooting, Jrue Holiday’s defense, and injuries to opponents like Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving. Without those factors, Giannis’s weaknesses have often led to early exits, like the Bucks’ first-round losses in 2023 and 2024.

The article’s claim that trading Giannis would mirror Kareem’s exit overstates his indispensability. Milwaukee’s recent trade of Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma shows they’re trying to retool around Giannis, not replace him as a singular saviour. A trade could bring assets to build a more balanced roster, addressing the team’s reliance on a star whose flaws are exposed in high-stakes moments.

Click bait from the NYT

The Athletic’s comparison of a potential Giannis trade to Kareem’s departure is so flawed it’s click bait. Giannis’s weaknesses—poor outside shooting, free-throw struggles, shaky play making under pressure, and defensive inconsistency—limit his ability to carry a team in the playoffs the way Kareem did. While he’s a phenomenal talent, he’s not the unassailable force the article suggests. Trading him wouldn’t necessarily doom the Bucks to decades of irrelevance; it could open the door to a smarter, more balanced roster. The Kareem parallel is more emotional than factual. Giannis is an antisocial player who will find it hard to fit in at any other team. Both due to his character flaws and – most importantly – due to his extremely low basketball IQ and limited skill set. He is playing a kind of basketball that has long been surpassed in the NBA and was extremely lucky to win that one championship.

The Bucks aren’t winning another one with Giannis. The whole point of this article makes no sense.
June 2, 2025
Why Giannis Struggles in Clutch Situations
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” is a two-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA champion. However, when the game is on the line—those critical “clutch” moments in the final minutes of a close game—Giannis has often been criticised for underperforming. His fans keep talking about that (one) 50 point performance. But they choose to ignore the true story.

Defining Clutch Situations

For clarity, “clutch” situations in this context refer to the last five minutes of a game (including overtime) where the score is within five points. This is a standard metric used by NBA analysts to evaluate performance under pressure. While Giannis excels in many facets of the game, his clutch-time performance has drawn scrutiny, particularly in high-stakes playoff games.

The Numbers: Giannis in the Clutch

To understand Giannis’ clutch performance, let’s look at some statistics. According to NBA.com’s advanced stats for the 2023-24 season, Giannis’ clutch-time performance reveals some concerning trends:
- Field Goal Percentage (FG%): In clutch situations, Giannis shot 42.3% from the field, significantly lower than his season average of 61.1%. His efficiency drops when defenses tighten up.
- Free Throw Shooting: Giannis’ free throw percentage in clutch moments was a dismal 58.7%, compared to his season average of 65.7%. This is particularly problematic since he often gets to the line in high-pressure situations.
- Turnovers: Giannis averaged 1.2 turnovers per clutch game, a higher rate than his overall 3.4 turnovers per game, suggesting he struggles with decision-making under pressure.
- Usage Rate: Giannis had a clutch usage rate of 38.2%, meaning he’s heavily involved in the Bucks’ offense during these moments, but his efficiency doesn’t match his volume.
In the playoffs, these issues become magnified. For example, in the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat, Giannis shot 2-for-7 (28.6%) in clutch situations and missed several key free throws, contributing to Milwaukee’s first-round exit. Over his playoff career, his clutch FG% sits at 39.8%, and his free throw percentage drops to 55.4%.

Why Does Giannis Struggle in the Clutch?

Several factors contribute to Giannis’ challenges in high-pressure situations. Let’s break them down:

1. Limited Jump Shooting

Giannis is a force in the paint, using his length and athleticism to dominate around the rim. However, his lack of a reliable jump shot—particularly from mid-range or beyond the arc—becomes a liability in clutch moments. Defenses often sag off him, daring him to shoot from outside. In the 2023-24 season, Giannis shot just 27.4% from three-point range and 34.1% on mid-range jumpers. In clutch situations, when defenses pack the paint or build a “wall” (a strategy popularized by the Toronto Raptors in 2019), Giannis struggles to create clean looks.

2. Free Throw Woes

Giannis’ free throw shooting has long been a weak point. His unorthodox, lengthy free throw routine (often exceeding the 10-second limit) seems to falter under pressure. In clutch situations, opponents frequently employ a “Hack-a-Giannis” strategy, fouling him intentionally to exploit his poor free throw shooting. Missing free throws in tight games not only costs points but also saps momentum and confidence.

3. Decision-Making Under Pressure

While Giannis is an excellent playmaker, averaging 5.9 assists per game in 2023-24, his decision-making in clutch moments can be erratic. He often forces drives into crowded defenses, leading to turnovers or low-percentage shots. In high-pressure situations, his tendency to over-penetrate rather than kick out to open teammates (like Damian Lillard or Khris Middleton) can stall the Bucks’ offense. For example, in Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis had two turnovers in the final two minutes, nearly costing Milwaukee a pivotal game.

4. Defensive Attention

In clutch situations, opponents can focus their entire defensive scheme on stopping Giannis. Double-teams, triple-teams, and zone defenses are common, as teams are less concerned about role players in these moments. While Giannis is adept at handling double-teams in the regular season, the intensity of playoff defenses—combined with his limited outside shooting—makes it harder for him to find space.

5. Lack of a Go-To Move

Unlike clutch performers like Kevin Durant (pull-up jumper), Damian Lillard (deep three), or LeBron James (versatile scoring and playmaking), Giannis lacks a singular, reliable move in crunch time. His game is built on physicality and transition opportunities, but in half-court, high-pressure situations, he often resorts to bulldozing drives that are easier to defend when the game slows down.

Playoff Case Studies

Let’s examine two playoff series that underscore Giannis’ clutch struggles:

2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Miami Heat

In this series, the Heat’s zone defense and physicality flustered Giannis. In Game 4, with the Bucks trailing by 3 in the final minute, Giannis missed two free throws and turned the ball over on a forced drive, sealing Miami’s victory. He shot 1-for-5 in clutch situations across the series, with three turnovers.

2023 First Round vs. Miami Heat

Despite a heroic 38-point performance in Game 4, Giannis’ clutch miscues were costly. In the final minute of a tied game, he missed a contested layup and went 0-for-2 from the free throw line, allowing Miami to pull ahead. His clutch FG% in the series was 28.6%, and he missed 7 of 12 free throws in clutch moments.

How Can Giannis Improve?

For Giannis to become a more reliable clutch performer, several adjustments could help:
1. Develop a Jump Shot: Even a consistent mid-range jumper would force defenses to respect his outside game, opening up driving lanes.
2. Improve Free Throw Shooting: Simplifying his routine and practicing under pressure could boost his confidence at the line.
3. Better Decision-Making: Giannis should trust his teammates more in clutch moments, especially shooters like Lillard and Middleton.
4. Work on a Go-To Move: Developing a reliable fadeaway or post move could give him a fallback option when drives are cut off.
Giannis ain’t clutch and probably never will be

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s clutch-time struggles are a notable blemish which effectively make him useless for a team chasing a championship. Worse than useless, he is a liability. His lack of a jump shot, poor free throw shooting, and questionable decision-making in high-pressure moments have cost the Bucks in key games, particularly in the playoffs. He has rarely shown flashes of clutch ability, consistency remains elusive. With targeted improvements, Giannis could perhaps at least become less of a liability for his team. For now, though, the “Greek Freak” will keep hiding behind his team mates and pretending there is no problem.

All statistics are sourced from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference for the 2023-24 season and prior playoff performances.
June 2, 2025
Giannis to the Raptors? These rumours just get funnier and funnier!

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar and two-time NBA MVP, is often the subject of trade rumors as teams dream of pairing his unique skill set with their roster. One such destination that occasionally pops up is the Toronto Raptors. However, the idea of Giannis joining the Raptors makes little sense for both the player and the team.

The Raptors’ Current State: A Mismatch for Giannis

The Toronto Raptors, as of the 2024-25 season, are in a rebuilding phase. After trading away key players like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, the team is centered around young talents like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. While these players show promise, the Raptors are far from championship contention, sitting at 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 15-20 record in recent projections. Their focus is on developing young talent and accumulating assets, not chasing a superstar like Giannis, who is in his prime at 30 years old and seeking immediate championship opportunities.

Giannis has repeatedly expressed his desire to compete for titles, as evidenced by his 2021 NBA Championship with the Bucks and his comments about wanting to stay in Milwaukee only if the team remains competitive. Joining a rebuilding team like Toronto would contradict his career goals. The Raptors lack the veteran star power and playoff-ready roster to complement Giannis’ win-now timeline, making the move a poor fit for his ambitions.

Giannis’ Weaknesses and Their Impact in Toronto’s System

Giannis’ game has notable weaknesses that would be amplified in Toronto’s current setup.

1. Lack of Consistent Outside Shooting

Giannis’ most glaring weakness is his inconsistent jump shot, particularly from beyond the arc. In the 2023-24 season, he shot just 27.4% from three-point range on 1.3 attempts per game, and his career average hovers around 28.6%. His free-throw shooting, while improved, remains unreliable at 65.7% last season. The Raptors’ offensive system under coach Darko Rajaković emphasizes spacing and ball movement, with players like Quickley (39.5% from three) and Gradey Dick (projected as a sharpshooter) creating open looks.

Without a reliable jumper, Giannis often clogs the paint, forcing defenses to collapse on him. In Milwaukee, players like Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez provide the necessary spacing to keep defenses honest. Toronto, however, lacks consistent elite shooters outside of Quickley. Barnes and Barrett are slashing forwards who thrive driving to the basket, much like Giannis. This overlap would crowd the paint, reducing offensive efficiency and making it easier for opponents to game-plan against Toronto.

2. Limited Playmaking and Ball-Handling

Giannis is a dominant force in transition and as a roll man, but his playmaking in half-court sets is limited. He averaged 6.5 assists per game in 2023-24, but many of these come from simple kick-outs after drawing double-teams. His ball-handling can be shaky under pressure, with 3.4 turnovers per game last season, often due to forced passes or dribbling into traffic.

The Raptors’ offense relies on quick decision-making and ball movement, with Barnes and Quickley often initiating plays. Giannis, however, thrives as the primary ball-handler in a system built around his drives. In Toronto, he’d either dominate the ball at the expense of Barnes’ development or struggle as an off-ball player due to his lack of shooting. This mismatch in playstyle would stunt the growth of Toronto’s young core and create clunky offensive sets.

3. Defensive Fit in Toronto’s Scheme

Defensively, Giannis is a former Defensive Player of the Year (2020) but has declined ever since. However, the Raptors’ defensive identity under Rajaković leans heavily on aggressive perimeter defense and versatility, with players like Barnes and Jakob Poeltl anchoring a switch-heavy scheme. While Giannis could fit this mould, his presence would overlap with Barnes, who is developing into a similar versatile defender.

Additionally, Toronto’s lack of a true secondary star to handle offensive creation means Giannis would expend significant energy on both ends, potentially leading to fatigue or injury concerns, as seen in his 2024 playoff absence due to a calf strain. In Milwaukee, players like Damian Lillard and Middleton share the offensive load, allowing Giannis to conserve energy for defense. Toronto’s roster simply doesn’t offer that luxury.

4. Rebounding Dependency and Team Fit

Giannis is stat padding rebounder, averaging 11.6 rebounds per game in 2023-24, as his impact on the boards often comes from Milwaukee’s system, where he’s surrounded by shooters who pull defenders away from the paint. In Toronto, with Poeltl as the primary center and Barnes also crashing the boards, there’s a risk of diminishing returns. The Raptors already struggle with offensive rebounding (26th in the league at 10.1 per game), and adding Giannis might not solve this issue if defenses pack the paint due to Toronto’s lack of shooting.

5. Giannis ain’t clutch

No polite way to say it. Forget that one 50 point game. Look at the cold hard facts. Giannis is a liability in clutch. Not just in the playoffs where he has failed every year for more than a decade (with that one exception). Even in regular season higher intensity games, Giannis just ain’t got “it”. He panics, he makes mistakes, he can’t follow advanced plays. He doesn’t impact high intensity NBA basketball when it really matters. Amazing regular season stats is all he does. We all know it now.

Financial and Trade Realities

Even if we ignore fit, the logistics of acquiring Giannis are a nightmare for Toronto. His contract, a three-year, $175.3 million extension signed in 2023, carries a cap hit of roughly $58 million annually through 2027-28. The Raptors would need to gut their roster, likely sending out Barnes, Quickley, and multiple first-round picks, to match salaries and satisfy Milwaukee’s demands. This would defeat the purpose of their rebuild, as they’d lose the young talent they’re banking on for future success.

Moreover, Milwaukee has no incentive to trade Giannis unless he demands out, which seems unlikely given his loyalty to the Bucks and their competitive roster. The Raptors, meanwhile, are focused on building around Barnes, who at 24 is their cornerstone for the next decade. Trading him for Giannis, who turns 31 in December 2025, would be a short-term gamble that sacrifices long-term potential.

Why Giannis Can’t Win a Championship in Toronto

Even if Giannis joined the Raptors, their current roster and timeline make a championship unlikely. Toronto’s lack of secondary star power means Giannis would face the same issues he did in Milwaukee’s early years: defenses walling off the paint and daring him to shoot. Without elite shooters or a proven playmaker to complement him, Giannis would be forced to carry an unsustainable offensive load, as seen in his 2023 playoff loss to Miami, where his inefficiencies were exposed.

The Raptors’ rebuild also means they’re at least two to three years away from contending, even with Giannis. By then, he’ll be in his mid-30s, and his athleticism-dependent game may start to decline. Teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and even a healthy Bucks squad would remain far ahead in the East, with deeper, more balanced rosters.

So cut the crap

Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Toronto Raptors sounds like a fantasy for fans, but it’s a logistical and strategic disaster. His lack of outside shooting, limited play making, and defensive overlap with Toronto’s young core make him a poor fit for their system. The Raptors’ rebuilding timeline clashes with Giannis’ win-now mentality, and the trade cost would cripple their future. Meanwhile, Giannis’ weaknesses would be magnified without the right supporting cast, making a championship in Toronto a pipe dream. For both sides, staying the course—Giannis in Milwaukee and the Raptors with their young core—is the smarter play.

June 2, 2025
Siakam vs Giannis: 2 finals appearances vs 1
1. Three-Point Shooting:
- Siakam’s Advantage: Siakam is a significantly better three-point shooter than Giannis. In the 2024-25 season, Siakam shot 41.3% from three on moderate volume (around 2-3 attempts per game), showcasing his ability to stretch the floor. His career three-point percentage is around 34%, with steady improvement.
- Giannis’s Context: Giannis has struggled with his outside shooting, with a career three-point percentage around 29% and often shooting below 20% in recent seasons (e.g., 0.00% in one month cited). His lack of a reliable jumper limits his spacing ability.
- Impact: Siakam’s shooting makes him a more versatile offensive threat in certain lineups, as defenses must respect his range, whereas Giannis is often dared to shoot from deep.
1. Mid-Range Scoring:
- Siakam’s Advantage: Siakam has developed a polished mid-range game, particularly with pull-up jumpers and turnaround shots. Analytics from BBall-Index give him an “A” grade for Midrange Pull Up Talent, and he’s effective in isolation, averaging high isolation points per game. His ability to attack off the dribble, reject screens, and hit mid-range shots gives him an edge in half-court sets.
- Giannis’s Context: Giannis relies heavily on his dominance in the paint (0-3 feet range), where he’s elite, but his mid-range game is less refined. He’s less comfortable with pull-up jumpers or creating space off the dribble outside the restricted area.
- Impact: Siakam’s mid-range versatility allows him to exploit defenses that sag off or switch, making him a more complete scorer in varied offensive schemes.
1. Offensive Versatility in Playoff Scenarios:
- Siakam’s Advantage: Siakam has shown he can adapt his scoring approach based on defensive schemes, using a mix of post-ups, face-ups, and perimeter shots. In the 2024 playoffs, he dropped 37 points on 16-of-23 shooting against the Bucks, showcasing his ability to dominate in multiple ways (mid-range, drives, and lobs). His playoff career-high 39 points in 2025 further highlights his clutch scoring versatility.
- Giannis’s Context: Giannis is a force in transition and paint scoring, but defenses often build a “wall” to limit his drives, daring him to shoot. His offensive game, while dominant, is less varied, relying on physicality and playmaking over shooting.
- Impact: Siakam’s ability to score from multiple levels makes him harder to game-plan against in certain matchups, especially when defenses collapse on primary ball-handlers.
1. Defensive Versatility Against Smaller Players:
- Siakam’s Advantage: Siakam’s agility and length (6’8”, 245 lbs) allow him to effectively guard smaller, quicker players, including point guards, in addition to power forwards and centers. His defensive motor and ability to switch across positions were noted early in his career, earning praise from coaches like Dwane Casey.
- Giannis’s Context: Giannis (6’11”, 243 lbs) is an elite defender, capable of guarding 1-5, with a DPOY award to his name. However, his size can make him slightly less agile against quick guards compared to Siakam, who has a lower center of gravity and quicker lateral movement.
- Impact: Siakam’s ability to lock down smaller players gives him a slight edge in switch-heavy defensive schemes, though Giannis’s rim protection and overall defensive impact are superior.
1. Durability and Availability:
- Siakam’s Advantage: Siakam has been remarkably durable, rarely missing games since joining the Pacers. In the 2024-25 season, he was noted for not missing a game, providing consistency for Indiana. His ability to stay on the court has been critical, especially during injury-plagued stretches for teammates.
- Giannis’s Context: Giannis has faced injury concerns, particularly in the playoffs. He missed games in the 2024 playoffs due to a calf strain, and his availability has been uncertain at times (e.g., a left soleus strain).
- Impact: Siakam’s reliability ensures he’s a consistent contributor, which is valuable for teams needing a steady presence, though Giannis’s impact when healthy is unmatched.
1. Clutch Performance as a Secondary Option:
- Siakam’s Advantage: Siakam thrives as a second option, as seen with the Pacers alongside Tyrese Haliburton. His ability to deliver in clutch moments without needing primary usage (e.g., 37 points in Game 2 vs. Bucks in 2024) makes him a perfect complementary star. He’s efficient in high-pressure situations, like his 8-0 run in the fourth quarter to seal a playoff win.
- Giannis’s Context: Giannis is a primary option, often carrying the Bucks’ offence. While he’s not clutch in his own right, his high usage can lead to fatigue, and he’s less effective as a secondary option due to his limited shooting.
- Impact: Siakam’s ability to shine without demanding the ball makes him a better fit in certain team constructs, particularly as a co-star.
Contextual Notes
- Head-to-Head: Siakam has a 14-12 record against Giannis in 26 games, including 4-2 in playoffs, suggesting he can hold his own in matchups.
- Role and Fit: Siakam’s ability to fit into various systems (e.g., as a secondary option with the Pacers or primary with the Raptors) gives him an edge in adaptability, while Giannis is a system-defining superstar.
Conclusion

Pascal Siakam is better than Giannis Antetokounmpo in three-point shooting, mid-range scoring, defensive versatility against smaller players, durability, and thriving as a secondary option in clutch moments. These strengths make Siakam a more versatile offensive player and a reliable, adaptable star. Siakam’s edges are specific but significant, particularly for teams needing a well-rounded, durable forward who can score efficiently from multiple ranges.
June 2, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Tim Duncan: A Comparative Analysis

When discussing the greatest power forwards in NBA history, Tim Duncan’s name is often at the forefront, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is a modern superstar probably past his prime now. Both players have left indelible marks on the game, but a detailed comparison reveals stark differences in their playing styles, team success, and overall legacy.

Career Overview

Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan, known as “The Big Fundamental,” played his entire 19-year career (1997–2016) with the San Antonio Spurs. A model of consistency, Duncan led the Spurs to five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), earning three Finals MVP awards and two regular-season MVPs. His accolades include 15 All-Star appearances, 15 All-NBA selections, and 15 All-Defensive team honors. Duncan’s game was built on efficiency, fundamentals, and selflessness, anchoring a Spurs dynasty that thrived on team play.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” has played for the Milwaukee Bucks since 2013. His freakish athleticism and versatility have earned him two MVP awards (2019, 2020), a Defensive Player of the Year award (2020), and an NBA championship in 2021, where he was named Finals MVP. With eight All-Star appearances and seven All-NBA selections, Giannis is a dominant force. However, his game is often critiqued for its reliance on physicality and less polished fundamentals, raising questions about whether his stats reflect team success or individual dominance. Furthermore other than one ring which could well be attributed to his supporting roster, he has only gone downhill since.

Statistical Comparison

To compare the two, let’s examine their career averages (per game) as of the 2024–25 season for Giannis and Duncan’s career end in 2016, using data from Basketball-Reference.

Player PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT% TS% PER
Tim Duncan 19.0 10.8 3.0 0.7 2.2 50.6% 17.9% 69.6% 55.1% 24.2
Giannis Antetokounmpo 23.4 9.8 4.9 1.1 1.2 54.5% 28.6% 68.8% 58.6% 23.8

Scoring

Giannis averages more points per game (23.4 vs. 19.0), but this comes with higher usage (28.8% vs. Duncan’s 25.6%). Giannis’s scoring often relies on driving to the basket, leveraging his athleticism, but his efficiency wanes in the playoffs (55.3% TS% vs. Duncan’s 55.8%). Duncan’s scoring was more deliberate, using post moves and mid-range shots, which scaled better in high-stakes games.

Rebounding and Defense

Duncan was a superior rebounder (10.8 RPG vs. 9.8) and shot-blocker (2.2 BPG vs. 1.2), anchoring San Antonio’s elite defenses. Giannis’s Defensive Player of the Year award highlights his versatility, but his defensive impact is less consistent due to freelancing for highlight plays. Duncan’s 15 All-Defensive selections dwarf Giannis’s five, underscoring Duncan’s sustained defensive excellence.

Playmaking

Giannis’s 4.9 assists per game outpace Duncan’s 3.0, reflecting his role as a primary ball-handler. However, Duncan’s assists came within a system emphasizing ball movement, while Giannis’s higher assist numbers often stem from initiating offense, sometimes at the expense of team flow.

Efficiency

Giannis’s true shooting percentage (58.6%) edges out Duncan’s (55.1%), but Duncan played in an era with lower offensive efficiency league-wide. Giannis’s reliance on free throws (8.3 attempts per game vs. Duncan’s 5.6) inflates his scoring but highlights a weakness: his poor free-throw shooting (68.8%) compared to Duncan’s (69.6%) often hurts his team in clutch moments.

Playstyle Analysis

Tim Duncan: The selfless anchor

Duncan’s game was a masterclass in fundamentals. His post play, bank shots, and defensive positioning were textbook. He thrived in Gregg Popovich’s system, prioritizing team success over individual stats. Duncan rarely chased numbers, evident in his low turnover rate (2.4 per game) and willingness to defer to teammates like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. His leadership fostered a culture that sustained San Antonio’s dominance across two decades.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: The athletic force

Giannis’s game is defined by explosive drives, dunks, and transition play. His physical gifts allow him to dominate, but critics argue he stat-pads by hunting easy baskets and free throws. His high usage rate (28.8%) suggests a ball-dominant style that can disrupt team rhythm, especially when his three-point shooting (28.6%) and free-throw struggles become liabilities. In the 2021 playoffs, Giannis’s 35-point, 13-rebound Finals average was historic, but his 61.3% TS% was inflated by easy buckets, and his team relied heavily on Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday for clutch moments.

Team Success

Championships

Duncan’s five championships to Giannis’s one is a significant gap. Duncan’s Spurs were perennial contenders, reaching the playoffs every year of his career and winning titles across three different decades. Giannis’s 2021 title was a monumental achievement, but the Bucks have struggled to replicate that success, with early playoff exits in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Duncan’s teams never missed the postseason, while Giannis’s Bucks missed in 2016 and were inconsistent early in his career.

Playoff Performance

Duncan’s playoff numbers (20.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 50.1% FG) remained consistent with his regular-season output, reflecting his ability to perform under pressure. Giannis’s playoff stats (26.6 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 53.7% FG) are impressive but drop in efficiency (55.3% TS% vs. 58.6% regular season), particularly when defenses wall off the paint. Duncan’s versatility allowed him to adapt, while Giannis’s limited shooting range makes him more predictable in high-stakes games.

Supporting Cast

Duncan played alongside Hall of Famers like David Robinson, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, but his leadership elevated lesser talents like Danny Green and Boris Diaw. Giannis has had All-Stars like Middleton and Holiday, yet the Bucks’ success hinges on his individual dominance, suggesting less ability to elevate teammates. Duncan’s Spurs won 50+ games in 17 of his 19 seasons; Giannis’s Bucks have hit that mark only five times.

The Stat-Padding and Selfishness Critique

Giannis’s critics point to his high usage and tendency to dominate the ball as evidence of selfish play. His 7.3 free-throw attempts per game in the regular season (and 9.8 in the playoffs) suggest a reliance on drawing fouls, which can slow the game and disrupt team flow. In contrast, Duncan’s low-usage, high-efficiency style complemented his teammates, as seen in the Spurs’ 2014 “beautiful game” offense, which prioritized ball movement over individual heroics.

Giannis’s stat lines are often eye-popping (e.g., 30 points, 12 rebounds), but games like his 44-point, 14-rebound performance against the Nets in 2021 included inefficient 14-of-26 shooting and five turnovers, raising questions about stat-padding in losses. Duncan’s quieter 20-point, 10-rebound games were often more impactful, with fewer mistakes (career 2.4 turnovers per game vs. Giannis’s 3.2).

Legacy and Impact

Duncan’s legacy is cemented as one of the greatest winners in NBA history. His five rings, three Finals MVPs, and 19 years of consistency place him among legends like Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His selfless play and adaptability made him the cornerstone of a dynasty. Giannis, at 30 years old in 2025, has time to build his legacy, but his one championship and inconsistent playoff runs pale in comparison. His individual accolades (two MVPs, DPOY) are impressive, but they don’t yet translate to Duncan’s sustained team success.

It’s not even close

While Giannis Antetokounmpo has unmatched athleticism but Tim Duncan’s career surpasses him in nearly every meaningful metric: championships, consistency, efficiency, and team-oriented play. Giannis’s style, while dominant, leans on physicality and can appear selfish, with high usage and free-throw attempts inflating his stats. Duncan’s fundamental, selfless approach led to five titles and a dynasty, making him the clear superior player. Giannis has years to close the gap, but as of 2025, he remains a tier below the Big Fundamental.

May 31, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Loss to Tristan Jass in MrBeast’s $100K Challenge Exposes Key Weaknesses
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar and two-time NBA MVP, is known for his athleticism and rim-rattling dunks. However, a recent $100,000 MrBeast shooting challenge pitted him against street ball sensation and YouTube star Tristan Jass, and the results were shocking. The challenge highlighted critical weaknesses in Giannis’ game that have long been debated by fans and analysts.

The Challenge Setup

The MrBeast challenge was a head-to-head shooting competition designed to test precision under pressure. The tasks included:
- Free throws: A test of consistency from the charity stripe.
- Three-pointers: A measure of long-range shooting ability.
- Half-court shots: A high-risk, high-reward challenge requiring both skill and a bit of luck.
Tristan Jass, a content creator with a massive following for his streetball highlights and deadly shooting, was a formidable opponent. While Giannis is a global basketball icon, Jass’s specialized skill set in shooting made this a tougher matchup than it might have seemed. The $100,000 prize added pressure, and as X user @____Shemar noted, “No way Mr. Beast possibly thought Giannis was making a FT, 3 pointer, and half court shot before Tjass … easiest $100k Tjass ever made 😂”.

1. Free-Throw Shooting Woes

The free-throw portion of the challenge was a predictable stumbling block for Giannis. His career free-throw percentage hovers around 65-70%, with a 2024-25 season average of approximately 68%. In high-pressure situations, his performance at the line often dips further, as seen in playoff games where opponents employ a “Hack-a-Giannis” strategy to exploit this weakness.

In the MrBeast challenge, Giannis struggled to find a rhythm, missing several free throws in a row. His lengthy free-throw routine—often taking 10+ seconds—may have been disrupted by the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the challenge. Fans remarked on the predictability of this outcome, with @Lester_O3 noting that someone won $100,000 by outshooting Giannis. Jass, known for his consistency in shooting drills, likely capitalised on this, hitting his free throws with ease.

Giannis’ free-throw struggles stem from mechanical issues (a hitch in his release and inconsistent wrist snap) and mental pressure. In the challenge, the added spotlight of a MrBeast production, with cameras and a live audience, likely amplified his tendency to overthink at the line.

Takeaway: Giannis needs to streamline his free-throw routine and practice under pressure to boost his consistency. Hitting 75-80% from the line would not only have helped in this challenge but could deter opponents from fouling him intentionally in NBA games. He is in fact worse than ever in his career in free throws this season!

2. Inconsistent Three-Point Shooting

The three-point shooting segment was another area where Giannis fell short. His NBA three-point percentage in the 2024-25 season is around 20-25% on low volume (1-2 attempts per game), a far cry from Jass’s sharpshooting prowess. Jass, who regularly showcases deep threes and trick shots on YouTube, thrives in these scenarios, while Giannis’ jump shot remains a work in progress.

In the challenge, Giannis reportedly missed most of his three-point attempts, unable to match Jass’s precision. His shooting form—marked by a slow release and occasional inconsistency in footwork—makes long-range shooting a liability. NBA defenses often sag off Giannis, daring him to shoot from deep, as seen in playoff series like the 2023 loss to the Miami Heat, where his 1-for-10 three-point shooting in the series was a glaring weakness.

The MrBeast challenge exposed this gap starkly. While Giannis relies on his athleticism to dominate inside, Jass’s specialized shooting skill set gave him a clear edge in a contest focused on perimeter accuracy.

Takeaway: Giannis would benefit from dedicated three-point training to reach at least a league-average 35% from deep. This would force defenses to respect his range, opening up his drives to the basket and making him a more complete offensive threat. Three points this season he not only shot worse than ever in his career but almost worse than anyone, ever, in NBA history for a single season!

3. Half-Court Shot Struggles

The half-court shot portion of the challenge was the final nail in the coffin. Half-court shots are inherently low-percentage, relying on a mix of skill, luck, and confidence. Jass, with his reputation for hitting long-range bombs in his videos, likely approached this with a shooter’s mentality. Giannis, on the other hand, rarely attempts such shots in NBA games, and his mechanics from that distance are unrefined.

Giannis’ attempts fell short or missed wide, while Jass connected to seal the victory.

Takeaway: While half-court shots are a niche skill, improving his overall shooting mechanics could give Giannis a better chance in such scenarios. Practising long-range shots in low-stakes settings might also build confidence for rare game situations. But if anything Giannis is worse than ever in clutch situations which is why Doc Rivers now keeps him out of the game in the 4th quarter as much as possible. We saw against the Pacers how terrible he can be for his team under pressure.

4. Pressure in Non-NBA Settings

Beyond specific skills, the challenge highlighted Giannis’ discomfort in non-traditional basketball settings. NBA games allow him to leverage his physicality, defensive prowess, and transition dominance, but the MrBeast challenge was a pure shooting contest with no room for his usual strengths. The high-pressure environment, with a $100,000 prize and a YouTube audience, may have thrown Giannis off his game, as he’s accustomed to structured NBA settings rather than impromptu streetball-style competitions.

Jass, a content creator who thrives in these viral, high-energy formats, was in his element. Giannis’ struggles suggest that his mental focus, while elite in NBA contexts, may not translate as well to unconventional challenges where his athletic advantages are neutralized.

Takeaway: Giannis could benefit from participating in more casual, high-pressure shooting contests to build adaptability. This would also help him handle the mental demands of clutch shooting moments in playoff games. Most of all though the NBA is about the show. And Giannis simply doesn’t deliver which is why he doesn’t bring in TV ratings.

What This Means for Giannis

The MrBeast challenge underscores areas where he lags behind specialists like Jass and, by extension, NBA sharpshooters in the league. To elevate his game, Giannis could:
- Work with a shooting coach to refine his free-throw and three-point mechanics, aiming for incremental improvements (e.g., 75% free throws, 35% threes).
- Practice under pressure in non-NBA settings to build mental resilience for high-stakes shooting.
- Study film of sharpshooters to adopt techniques that complement his physical gifts.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s loss to Tristan Jass in MrBeast’s $100,000 shooting challenge was a revealing moment. It exposed his well-known struggles with free throws, three-point shooting, and long-range accuracy, amplified by the pressure of a viral, high-stakes competition. For fans, the challenge was a fun spectacle that pitted an NBA giant against a street ball sharpshooter. For Giannis, it’s a wake-up call to address weaknesses that could make the difference in future playoff runs. As he continues past his prime now at age 30, the Greek Freak has the work ethic and drive. But can he turn these flaws into strengths? After more than a decade in the league and with so many different coaches that have tried to help him, the answer is probably no.
May 30, 2025
A prophetic post from 2020: Giannis can’t impact games

Here’s what it wrote, back in 2020 on OpenCourt Facebook page about Giannis not really impacting games that matter and fans confusing regular season stat padding and highlights with real NBA ballin.

“GIANNIS IS NOT A TRUE SUPERSTAR.

I know it sounds harsh, but the fact of the matter is Giannis Antetokounmpo is not superstar in its TRUEST sense in the NBA. He’s not who people think he is, not yet anyway.

If you are a person that religiously follows the league, it’s evident to see that there are significant holes in Giannis’ game that place him in a tier below the LeBrons, Kawhis and healthy Durants of this world.

Throughout the season there were many people claiming Giannis was the best player in the world, but the truth is Giannis isn’t close to being that guy yet. For basketball purists, it should be worrying that such claims are thrown around without any real evidence of the fact.

To this day, Giannis has NEVER shown he can carry a team WHEN IT MATTERS MOST. Let me repeat that, NEVER. When it’s time to put the team on your back and take them to the next level, his game is simply not evolved enough to do so.

Now I know what you’re going to say “But Giannis is only 25, he has time” and despite that being true, Giannis has shown little to no improvement whatsoever in the past 4 season of averaging over 20ppg in areas of his game that he desperately needs to take him to the very top of the NBA’s elite.

I know what else you’re going to say “But he needs a better supporting cast”, and despite that having SOME truth to it, how quickly the world forgets just how HISTORICALLY great this Bucks team was this season.

The Bucks were the quickest team in NBA HISTORY to make the playoffs this season. They started the season 27-4 (read that again, 27-4). They were the highest ranked team in the ENTIRE LEAGUE on offense and defense. They had two all stars. They had the leading 3-point shooter in the league in George Hill. They had an All-NBA defender in Brook Lopez. They had one of the best coaches in the league. They were one of the deepest teams in the league. They had the best overall record in the league.

Don’t believe me? Type in “Milwaukee Bucks best team ever” into Google and read. Debate shows, TV segments, podcasts and articles were all discussing whether or not this Bucks team was the greatest team of all time. Let that sink in.

And when it mattered most, their leader’s inabilities on the floor failed them. What people don’t understand, is although Giannis’ teammates fail to perform when the stakes are high a lot of the time, the reason why is down to Giannis’ inability to provide for them, to lift them, to put them in a position to be successful. It’s on him.

Another season, another underwhelming series that turns into a premature elimination for Giannis when a team has the personnel and game plan for him. The bizarre thing is the game plan is simple, clog the lane, build a wall and don’t let him get to the rim. And it really is THAT simple.

People laughed and made fun of James Harden when he claimed it takes no real skill to do what Giannis does by just running and dunking, but when you really think about it, was he wrong?

I would go one further and make the case Giannis is a MUCH GREATER defensive player than he is an offensive player despite having nice offensive numbers in the regular season. His jumpshot is abysmal, he has no mid range game, he’s an average facilitator, he has no post game for someone his size, he has no true playmaking ability for someone his size, if he’s not trying to bully people to the rim he’s in foul trouble for offensive fouls, nearly all his points come in transition, he’s a terrible free throw shooter, and worst of all, Giannis can’t even handle the ball and make plays down the stretch in the fourth quarter of playoff games. How are you supposed to be a superstar when you can’t even handle the ball when it matters most, when your team can’t put the ball in your hands and tell you to win the game for them.

For the Bucks to go out the way they did is simply UNACCEPTABLE. They are the first number one seed in NBA History to go down 0-3 in a playoff series to a number 5 seed, EVER. The craziest part is their only win was when Giannis left the game early with an ankle injury and Kris Middleton had the best game of his life and the offense actually flowed. I’m not saying the Bucks are better without Giannis, but if a superstar and your best player goes down, more times than not you shouldn’t be winning a playoff game. This was their year. Interrupted season or not, the manner in which they lost was unacceptable.

In that series, Jimmy Butler looked 10 times the player Giannis looked. In most people’s player rankings, Butler and Giannis wouldn’t even be close to one another, but when it mattered most, Butler took the challenge and took his team to another level.

When Giannis was asked why he wasn’t guarding Butler he said “Because the coach didn’t ask me to” as the DPOY and the best defender on your team ARE YOU KIDDING ME? When the media asked Mike Budenholzer why Giannis wasn’t playing heavy minutes despite resting him during the season for these moments he said “34-35 minutes is his ceiling” ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The one time Giannis took the challenge to actually guard Butler he fouled him on the game winning shot that sent Butler to the free throw line to win Game 2.

All signs points to Giannis taking home his second MVP trophy, but from what we’ve seen you can make the case Giannis could be the worst back-to-back MVP in league history.

I do not care about Giannis throwing down a dunk on the entire New York Knicks on a Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Show me you are one of the very best in the world when it matters most. When your team needs you the most. When the lights are the brightest, and teams try to take away everything you’re great at. Show me then. The MVP award means absolutely nothing if you can’t show me then.

He still has time, but as of right now Giannis is NOT a TRUE superstar in the NBA.

And it’s about time we start holding him to that same standard.

Damien Peters NBA Breakdown“

Five years after it was written and most of it has been proven true. The only thing he got wrong is that Giannis is clearly a much much worse defender in the past 3-4 seasons. Giannis not only hasn’t managed to impact playoff games, he can’t even impact regular season games that matter! He has not added any skills but got worse at most things on the court other than…dunking.

May 28, 2025
Has Giannis Really Played All Five Positions?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s unique combination of size, speed, and skill has led to a persistent narrative: Giannis has played all five positions. This claim gets tossed around in highlight reels, podcasts, and casual fan debates, but how much truth is there to it? He relies heavily on drives, can’t even shoot free throws to save his life, has almost zero play making skills, has completely given up trying from 3pt land, terrible off the ball, rarely cutting or setting screens to create space, his post game lacks refined footwork or go-to moves. Let’s face it. He ain’t gonna improve either. Defence? Even worse limitations! Giannis struggles to stay in front of smaller, quicker guards on the perimeter due to his size and lateral quickness limitations, making him less effective in switch-heavy schemes against certain match ups. His aggressive help defence leads to overcommitting, leaving shooters open or creating gaps in the Bucks’ defensive rotations. He often gets caught on screens, particularly in pick-and-roll situations, where his recovery speed doesn’t always match his rim-protecting instincts. And of course against sharp-shooting teams, his closeouts on three-point shooters are abysmally slow.

Defining the Five Positions

To evaluate this claim, we first need to define what we mean by “playing all five positions.” In traditional basketball, the five positions are:
1. Point Guard (PG): The primary ball-handler, playmaker, and floor general, responsible for initiating the offense and distributing the ball.
2. Shooting Guard (SG): Typically a perimeter-oriented player focused on scoring, often via outside shooting or driving.
3. Small Forward (SF): A versatile wing player who balances scoring, defense, and sometimes playmaking.
4. Power Forward (PF): A frontcourt player who combines physicality, rebounding, and scoring, often in the post or mid-range.
5. Center (C): The anchor of the paint, responsible for rim protection, rebounding, and scoring close to the basket.
In today’s NBA, the lines between these positions have blurred, with “positionless” players like Giannis thriving in multiple roles. But for Giannis to have “played all five positions,” he would need to have meaningfully performed the primary responsibilities of each role in actual NBA games, either as a starter or in specific stints.

Giannis’s Positional Journey

Giannis, at 6’11” with a 7’3” wingspan, entered the NBA in 2013 as a lanky, raw prospect with the Milwaukee Bucks. Over the years, his role has evolved significantly, which fuels the myth of his five-position versatility. Let’s examine his career arc and the positions he’s actually played.

Small Forward: His Natural Starting Point

When Giannis debuted, the Bucks listed him as a small forward. His early role leaned heavily on his athleticism, with responsibilities including:
- Transition scoring
- Slashing to the basket
- Perimeter defense against wings
This is the position where Giannis spent the bulk of his early career (2013–2016). His lanky frame and guard-like agility made him a prototypical modern small forward, capable of guarding multiple positions and running the floor. Official NBA tracking data from Basketball-Reference lists him as a small forward for his first three seasons, and this aligns with his on-court role under coaches like Jason Kidd.

Power Forward: The Modern Role

As Giannis bulked up and developed his game, the Bucks shifted him to power forward, especially under coach Mike Budenholzer starting in 2018. This is where Giannis has thrived most, leveraging his size and skill to:
- Attack mismatches in the post
- Serve as a help defender and rim protector
- Grab rebounds and initiate fast breaks
His dominance as a power forward earned him back-to-back MVPs (2019, 2020) and a Finals MVP in 2021. NBA tracking data confirms that Giannis has played the majority of his minutes at the 4 (power forward) in recent seasons, with advanced lineup data from Cleaning the Glass showing him logging over 70% of his minutes at power forward from 2018 to 2023.

Center: Occasional Stints

Giannis has also played center, particularly in small-ball lineups. The Bucks have used him at the 5 in specific situations, such as:
- When Brook Lopez or Bobby Portis is off the floor
- In playoff matchups against smaller teams (e.g., the 2021 Nets series)
- During “death lineup” configurations to maximize spacing and speed
According to NBA.com’s lineup data, Giannis has spent roughly 10–15% of his minutes at center in recent seasons, often in crunch time or against teams lacking a traditional big. In these stints, he handles rim protection, rebounding, and even some pick-and-roll defense. However, he’s rarely the primary center for extended periods, as Milwaukee prefers Lopez’s floor-spacing and rim protection for most minutes.

The Guard Positions: Where the Myth Stumbles

Here’s where the “all five positions” claim starts to fray. While Giannis’s ball-handling and playmaking have improved dramatically—he averaged 5.6 assists per game in the 2022–23 season and often initiates Milwaukee’s offense—the idea that he’s played point guard or shooting guard in a meaningful way doesn’t hold up.

Point Guard: The “Point Giannis” Hype

The “Point Giannis” narrative took off in 2016 when Jason Kidd famously called Giannis the Bucks’ point guard. That season, Giannis’s usage as a ball-handler increased, and he ran more pick-and-rolls and transition plays. But calling him a point guard was more about hype than reality. Here’s why:
- Role vs. Position: Giannis brought the ball up and initiated offense, but he wasn’t guarding opposing point guards like Damian Lillard or Chris Paul. His defensive assignments remained wings and forwards.
- Box Score Evidence: Basketball-Reference and NBA.com still listed him as a forward, and his minutes at the 1 were negligible (less than 5% per Cleaning the Glass).
- Playstyle: Giannis’s playmaking often came from the high post or after grabbing defensive rebounds, not from running a traditional point guard’s half-court offense.
While Giannis has point guard skills—dribbling, passing, and vision—he hasn’t played the point guard position in the way players like Jrue Holiday or Damian Lillard have done for Milwaukee.

Shooting Guard: The Weakest Link

The claim that Giannis has played shooting guard is even shakier. Shooting guards in the modern NBA (e.g., Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell) are typically perimeter scorers who rely on outside shooting and off-ball movement. Giannis, by contrast:
- Shoots sparingly from three (career 28.6% from three as of 2025)
- Rarely plays off-ball as a catch-and-shoot threat
- Doesn’t guard opposing shooting guards like Bradley Beal or Zach LaVine. (And if he does it kills his team as per Tyrese blowing by him multiple times in clutch time in these playoffs…)
Lineup data shows no significant minutes logged at the 2. His role has never resembled that of a shooting guard, even in small-ball lineups where he’s more likely to slide to center than guard a perimeter scorer.

Why the Myth Persists

So why does the “all five positions” narrative stick? Several factors contribute:
1. Positionless Basketball: The NBA’s shift toward positionless play blurs traditional roles. Giannis’s ability to handle, pass, score, and defend multiple players makes him seem like he could play any position, even if he doesn’t.
2. Highlight Plays: Viral clips of Giannis dribbling past guards or switching onto point guards in crunch time fuel the perception of him as a five-position player.
3. Coach and Media Hype: Comments like Jason Kidd’s “point guard” label and media narratives about Giannis’s versatility amplify the myth without rigorous analysis.
4. Fan Imagination: Giannis’s freakish athleticism invites fans to imagine him dominating any role, even ones he hasn’t played.
The Reality: Giannis Is not a Versatile Forward

Giannis has undeniably played three positions—small forward, power forward, and centre—with significant minutes and impact. He hasn’t logged meaningful time as a point guard or shooting guard, nor has he performed their primary duties (e.g., running a half-court offence or playing as an off-ball shooter).

Advanced metrics support this. According to Defensive Player Versatility Index (DVPI) from 2023, Giannis ranks among the top forwards in guarding multiple positions, but his matchups are predominantly against wings and bigs, not guards. Offensively, his usage rate (around 32% in recent seasons) reflects a forward’s role, not a guard’s.

So it’s not true, yet another Giannis hype myth

The myth that Giannis Antetokounmpo has played all five positions doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. He lacks the flexibility to play point guard and shooting guard in a traditional sense. While he has guard-like skills (ball-handling, play making), he doesn’t run a half-court offence like a point guard or play off-ball as a perimeter shooter like a shooting guard. His defensive assignments rarely include guarding opposing guards, and lineup data shows negligible minutes at these positions Next time you hear someone claim Giannis has played all five positions, ask for the game tape. Chances are, they’re just caught up in the legend of the Greek Freak.

Sources
- Basketball-Reference.com for positional data and career stats
- NBA.com for lineup and tracking data
- Cleaning the Glass for advanced positional breakdowns
- ESPN and The Athletic for historical context on Giannis’s role evolution
May 28, 2025
Gianni U.S. vs. International NBA All-Star Game Is a Bad Idea
The NBA All-Star Game has long been a showcase of the league’s best talent, a mid season celebration that brings fans together to watch their favourite players compete in a fun, high-flying exhibition. Traditionally, the game has pitted the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference, a format that reflects the league’s geographic structure and fosters regional pride. However, in recent years, there have been discussions about shaking up the format, with one proposed idea being a match up between U.S.-born players and international players. While this concept might sound intriguing on the surface, it’s a deeply flawed idea that could harm the NBA’s brand, alienate fans, and create unnecessary divisions in a league that thrives on unity and inclusivity. Giannis really should think before tweeting a bit more. You would think someone like him who has suffered due to racism would be a little more careful.

1. It Undermines the NBA’s Global Unity

The NBA is one of the most globally diverse sports leagues in the world. Players from countries like Serbia, Greece, Canada, France, and Nigeria share the court with American-born stars, creating a melting pot of talent that transcends borders. This diversity is a strength, not a point of division. By splitting the All-Star Game into U.S. versus international players, the NBA would be artificially creating a “us vs. them” narrative that feels forced and counterproductive.

Basketball is a universal language, and the All-Star Game is a chance to celebrate that unity. Highlighting nationality as the defining factor risks sending a message that international players are somehow separate from their American counterparts, which could alienate fans in global markets. The NBA has worked hard to expand its reach—evidenced by games played in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and the success of the Basketball Without Borders program. A U.S. vs. International format could undermine these efforts by framing international players as outsiders rather than integral parts of the league’s fabric. Then again, Giannis has always been a massive hypocrite concerning what country he stands for. Effectively he is American. But he pretends to be Nigerian or Greek as per the media needs of the day.

2. It Risks Alienating Fans

The All-Star Game is a fan-driven event, with voting heavily influenced by fan engagement. Splitting the game into U.S. vs. International rosters could alienate significant portions of the fan base. For example, American fans might feel less connected to the international team, while international fans might feel their players are being pitted against the “home” team in a way that feels unfair or exclusionary. This format could also discourage fans from voting for players based on merit, as national pride might overshadow talent in the selection process.

Consider a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, a Greek-Nigerian superstar who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. Would fans in Milwaukee rally behind him as an “international” player, or would they feel conflicted because he’s not on the “U.S.” team? The same goes for players like Luka Dončić or Nikola Jokić, who have massive followings in the U.S. despite being international stars. Forcing fans to choose sides based on nationality risks diluting the emotional connection they have to their favourite players.

3. It Creates an Uneven Competitive Balance

While the NBA’s international talent pool is stronger than ever, the number of All-Star-calibre international players is still significantly smaller than the number of American-born All-Stars. In the 2024 All-Star Game, for example, only about 25% of the selected players were born outside the U.S. This disparity would likely result in a lopsided match up, with the U.S. team having a deeper pool of talent to draw from.

Let’s look at a hypothetical 2025 All-Star roster. The international team might feature stars like:
- Nikola Jokić (Serbia)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
- Luka Dončić (Slovenia)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
- Joel Embiid (Cameroon)
That’s an impressive group, but the U.S. team could counter with:
- LeBron James
- Kevin Durant
- Jayson Tatum
- Anthony Edwards
- Devin Booker
- And many more
The depth of American talent would likely overwhelm the international side, leading to blowouts that could make the game less entertaining. The East vs. West format, while not always perfectly balanced, at least draws from a larger and more evenly distributed pool of players, ensuring a competitive game.

4. It Could Fuel Unnecessary Nationalism

Sports have a unique ability to bring people together, but they can also stoke nationalism when formats emphasise country of origin. An All-Star Game pitting U.S. players against international players risks turning a lighthearted exhibition into a platform for jingoism. In today’s polarised world, where nationalism and xenophobia are already sensitive issues, the NBA doesn’t need to create a format that could amplify these tensions.

Imagine the social media discourse around a U.S. vs. International All-Star Game. Fans and commentators might frame the game as a proxy for geopolitical rivalries or cultural superiority, which is the last thing the NBA needs. The league has thrived by staying above such controversies, focusing on the game itself rather than external divisions. The current East vs. West format, or even the recent captain’s draft format, avoids these pitfalls by keeping the focus on basketball.

5. It Diminishes the All-Star Game’s Fun Factor

The All-Star Game is supposed to be fun—a break from the grind of the regular season where players can show off their skills, throw alley-oops, and engage in friendly banter. A U.S. vs. International format risks making the game feel more serious and divisive than it needs to be. Players who are teammates during the regular season, like Jokić and Jamal Murray or Dončić and Kyrie Irving, would be forced to compete against each other based on nationality, which could disrupt the camaraderie that makes the All-Star Game special.

Moreover, the format could lead to awkward situations where players feel pressured to “represent” their country rather than just enjoy the game. The All-Star Game thrives on its lack of stakes—players aren’t out to prove anything beyond who can pull off the flashiest dunk or the most ridiculous three-pointer. Adding a nationalistic element risks making the game feel like a high-stakes international competition, which is better suited for events like the Olympics or FIBA World Cup.

6. It Ignores the Success of Recent Format Changes

The NBA has already experimented with the All-Star Game format in recent years, moving away from the traditional East vs. West match up to a captain’s draft system in 2018. This change, where two All-Star captains pick their teams playground-style, has been largely successful. It creates fun, unpredictable rosters and allows for unique player combinations that fans wouldn’t otherwise see. For example, seeing LeBron James team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo or Steph Curry play alongside Luka Dončić creates exciting moments that a U.S. vs. International format wouldn’t allow.

The captain’s draft format also keeps the focus on individual star power rather than collective identities like nationality. It’s a format that’s inclusive, engaging, and true to the spirit of the All-Star Game. Reverting to a format that emphasizes division over unity would be a step backward.

7. It Could Harm the NBA’s International Growth

The NBA’s international growth has been one of its biggest success stories. In 2024, the league had over 120 international players from 40 countries, and viewership in markets like China, Europe, and Africa continues to soar. A U.S. vs. International All-Star Game risks alienating these growing fan bases by framing international players as a separate entity. Fans in Serbia, for example, might feel less invested in the game if their hero, Nikola Jokić, is pitted against a dominant U.S. team in a way that feels like an underdog narrative.

Instead of highlighting the contributions of international players as part of the NBA’s broader ecosystem, this format could make them feel like a sideshow. The NBA has worked hard to make stars like Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, and now Jokić and Dončić household names in the U.S. and beyond. A format that emphasizes their “otherness” could undo some of that progress.

Giannis should be ashamed of himself for proposing this

The NBA All-Star Game is a celebration of basketball’s best, a chance for fans to see their favourite players compete in a fun, low-stakes environment. Switching to a U.S. vs. International format would undermine the league’s commitment to unity, alienate fans, create competitive imbalances, and risk fuelling unnecessary nationalism. The current East vs. West format—or the more recent captain’s draft system—already strikes a balance between competition and entertainment without introducing divisive elements. The NBA should continue to embrace its global identity by celebrating all players as part of one league, not by pitting them against each other based on where they were born.
May 27, 2025
Giannis’ defence is just getting worse EVERY year
In 2020, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), anchoring the Milwaukee Bucks’ league-leading defence. However, recent discussions among fans and analysts suggest his defensive prowess may have waned. So let’s take it from the start of the downfall:

The Peak: Giannis’ 2019-20 Defensive Dominance

In the 2019-20 season, Giannis was a defensive juggernaut, earning the DPOY award and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. Let’s establish his baseline with key metrics from that season, sourced from Basketball-Reference, NBA.com, and ESPN:
- Defensive Rating (DRtg): 96.5, the lowest among players with at least 15 minutes per game, per Second Spectrum data.
- Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM): 3.2, leading the league, indicating an elite defensive impact.
- Opponent Field Goal Percentage (Opp FG%): Held opponents to 36.3% shooting as the closest defender (minimum 525 attempts), the lowest in the NBA since Second Spectrum began tracking in 2013-14. At the rim, opponents shot just 41.8%.
- Steals and Blocks: Averaged 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, contributing to his reputation as a versatile defender capable of guarding all five positions.
- Defensive Rebounds: Led the NBA with 11.5 defensive rebounds per game, highlighted by nine games with 15+ defensive rebounds.
- Team Defense: The Bucks led the league with a defensive rating of 101.3 and allowed an NBA-low 41.3% field goal percentage. Giannis’ on-court presence reduced points allowed by eight per 100 possessions compared to when he was off the court.
This season cemented Giannis as a “free safety” defender, disrupting plays with his length and mobility, excelling in rim protection, and anchoring the NBA’s best defense.

The Decline: Evidence from 2020-25

Since 2020, several metrics and qualitative factors suggest Giannis’ defensive performance has slipped. Below, we analyze key indicators across the 2020-21 to 2024-25 seasons, drawing from Basketball-Reference, ESPN, NBA.com, and other sources like Reddit discussions and Basketball Index.

1. Defensive Rating (DRtg)

Giannis’ DRtg has worsened significantly since 2019-20:
- 2019-20: 96.5 (league-leading)
- 2020-21: 104.1
- 2021-22: 106.8
- 2022-23: 109.4
- 2023-24: 110.2
- 2024-25: 110.0
A DRtg increase from 96.5 to 110 indicates that the Bucks allow 13.5 more points per 100 possessions with Giannis on the court compared to his DPOY year. Giannis’ individual DRtg decline is notable. The chart here on the right shows that this decline is also pronounced in the playoffs.

2. Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM)

DBPM reflects a player’s defensive contribution relative to the league average:
- 2019-20: 3.2 (league-leading)
- 2020-21: 2.8
- 2021-22: 2.4
- 2022-23: 2.1
- 2023-24: 1.9
The consistent downward trend in DBPM shows Giannis’ defensive impact is no longer elite.

3. Opponent Field Goal Percentage (Opp FG%)

Giannis’ ability to contest shots has also declined:
- 2019-20: 36.3% overall, 41.8% at the rim (best in the NBA)
- 2024-25: 42.4% overall
This suggests Giannis is not as effective particularly in rim protection and one-on-one match ups. His mind is too focused on getting his stat padding done, points, assists, rebounds are all he cares about because that is what most of you talk about.

4. Steals

Traditional hustle stats provide insight into defensive activity:
- 2020-21: 1.2 steals
- 2021-22: 1.1 steals
- 2022-23: 0.8 steals
- 2023-24: 1.1 steals
- 2024-25: 0.9 steals
Steals have trended slightly downward (from 1.2 to 0.9) indicating reduced perimeter disruption.

5. All-Defensive Team Selections

Giannis was a lock for All-Defensive First Team from 2019 to 2021. However:
- 2022-23: All-Defensive Second Team
- 2023-24: All-Defensive Second Team
- 2024-25: Not selected for either All-Defensive Team, with players like Dyson Daniels and Evan Mobley taking precedence.
This drop from perennial First Team to no selection in 2024-25 reflects a decline in perceived defensive impact among voters.

So yes, he is worse at everything

The data paints a clear picture: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s defensive performance has declined steadily since his 2020 DPOY season. His DRtg has risen from 96.5 to 110, DBPM has dropped from 3.2 to 1.9, and Opp FG% has increased from 36.3% to 42.4%. The absence of All-Defensive Team honours in 2024-25, combined with a slight dip in steals and a team defensive decline, supports the argument that his defence has slipped. And don’t even start talking about his rebounding numbers! Those are mainly stat padding easy defensive ones because everyone clears out of the paint for Giannis to get his numbers. Most importantly Giannis is damaging his team’s defensive efforts by a constant effort to stat pad and get highlight blocks, thus disrupting any advanced defensive plan they had going.

To be clear, Giannis is worse at almost everything as explained in this post. I looked at this past season in particular recently here. At a glance he played less

minutes, attempted more shots, missed more shots, made less 3point shots, made less free throws and less steals.

He also had worse defensive rating, less offensive rebounds, worse efg% and ts% all dropped, despite the fact that he went to the rim more than ever! Quite amazing a feat to fail like that on both ends!

Sources: Basketball-Reference, NBA.com, ESPN, Reddit, Basketball Index
May 25, 2025