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.
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
Whispers persist about whether Giannis would ever leave the Bucks for a new challenge. While some argue he’d thrive elsewhere, there’s a compelling case that Giannis might be hesitant to depart Milwaukee—not due to a lack of ambition, but because staying put shields him from intense scrutiny, hides his weaknesses, and provides a comfortable narrative for his playoff shortcomings. Sure, he will try and sell it as “loyalty” but think about it. He hasn’t got a chance in a million to win another ring with the Bucks. They have spend so long pampering his every whim, changing coaches and players as per his demands that they have absolutely nothing left to trade. If he really wants a ring he should go. But he won’t.
The Comfort of Milwaukee’s System
The Bucks have built their entire system around Giannis’s unique skill set. Coach Mike Budenholzer (and now Doc Rivers) designed offences that maximise his ability to attack the rim, leveraging his length, speed, and power. Milwaukee surrounded him with shooters like Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Damian Lillard to space the floor, allowing Giannis to operate in the paint or as a playmaker in transition. This tailored environment masks some of his limitations, particularly his inconsistent outside shooting and free-throw struggles. The Bucks again were top of the NBA in 3pt% as a team despite Giannis shooting worse than ever in his career and close to the worse of any NBA player ever in a single season.
On a new team, Giannis will not have the same luxury. A franchise like the Miami Heat or Los Angeles Lakers, for example, might demand more versatility in half-court offence or a greater reliance on perimeter skills. If Giannis joined a team with a less complementary roster, his 30.8% career three-point shooting (as of the 2024-25 season) and 68.5% free-throw percentage could become glaring liabilities. In Milwaukee, these weaknesses are mitigated by a system that doesn’t require him to be a sharpshooter. Elsewhere, they’d be magnified, potentially exposing him as a one-dimensional star in critical moments.
The Excuse of the Supporting Cast
In Milwaukee, Giannis has a built-in narrative for playoff disappointments: the roster around him isn’t good enough. This is a complete lie as I broke down in this blog post. When the Bucks fell to the Miami Heat in the 2020 playoffs or struggled against the Boston Celtics in 2022, analysts and fans often pointed to Khris Middleton’s injuries, Jrue Holiday’s inconsistency, or a lack of depth. This narrative allows Giannis to deflect criticism, maintaining his status as a transcendent talent held back by circumstances.
If Giannis moved to a superteam the excuses would vanish. A new team with high-calibre talent would place the spotlight squarely on Giannis’s performance. If he failed to deliver in the playoffs, the blame would shift from the roster to his own limitations, such as his struggles in clutch situations or his predictable offensive approach against elite defences. The pressure to perform without the safety net of “it’s the team’s fault” could be daunting, especially for a player who thrives on being the underdog. Giannis already looks like a fool for talking about not joining a superteam only to get Dame next to him.
Playoff Pressure and the Fear of Failure
Giannis’s playoff resume is a mixed bag. His 2021 championship was a triumph, but it was mainly luck and not really due to Giannis when you break it down. Other years have been less kind: the Bucks’ early exits in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024 exposed vulnerabilities in Giannis’s game, particularly against teams that build a “wall” to clog the paint. Opponents like the Raptors (2019) and Heat (2020) exploited his lack of a reliable jump shot, daring him to shoot while shutting down his drives.
On a new team, Giannis would face even greater playoff scrutiny. In Milwaukee, he’s the hometown hero, forgiven for setbacks because of his loyalty and the Bucks’ small-market status. In a bigger market or on a contending roster, every playoff game would be a referendum on his greatness. A failure to advance deep into the postseason could cement a narrative that Giannis can’t lead a team to a title without the perfect supporting cast, tarnishing his legacy. The risk of such failure might make him wary of leaving the familiarity of Milwaukee, where expectations, while high, are tempered by the city’s underdog mentality.
The Burden of Improvement
Giannis’ shooting remains a work in progress and he is running out of excuses. In Milwaukee, his reluctance to develop a consistent mid-range or three-point shot is often excused as a byproduct of his dominance in other areas. Fans and analysts argue, “Why change what works?” But on a new team, especially one with a different offensive philosophy, Giannis would face unrelenting pressure to evolve.
For example, joining a team like the Golden State Warriors, where spacing and shooting are paramount, would force Giannis to confront his weaknesses head-on. Without the Bucks’ system to lean on, he’d need to become a more complete offensive player, a challenge he’s been slow to embrace. The fear of being exposed as stagnant—or worse, incapable of adapting—could deter him from taking the leap to a new environment where his growth would be non-negotiable. People talk about him going to the Warriors but his inability to set up screens is only one of many weaknesses which make that completely ridiculous.
The Loyalty Factor and Public Perception
Giannis’s loyalty to Milwaukee is a cornerstone of his public image. He signed a supermax extension in 2020, cementing his status as a rare superstar who stayed with a small-market team. This decision endeared him to fans and shielded him from the criticism often levelled at players who chase rings elsewhere, like LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Leaving Milwaukee could fracture this narrative, painting him as just another star chasing glory rather than building a legacy.
Moreover, a move to a bigger market or a super team could invite comparisons to other superstars, where Giannis’s weaknesses might stand out more starkly. In Milwaukee, he’s the undisputed alpha, free from the shadow of a co-star who might outshine him. On a team with another MVP-calibre player, he’d risk being seen as the “second option,” a label that could bruise his ego and alter how his career is perceived. Superstars avoid Giannis for various reasons I list here.
The Psychological Weight of Change
Beyond basketball, leaving Milwaukee would mean uprooting a life Giannis has built over a decade. He’s spoken openly about his love for the city, his teammates, and the organisation that believed in him as a scrawny teenager from Greece. The emotional and psychological toll of adapting to a new city, fan base, and team culture could weigh heavily, especially for a player who values stability. The fear of failing to mesh with a new team—both on and off the court—might make staying in Milwaukee the safer choice.
Other Risks of Leaving
Media Scrutiny in a Bigger Market: Milwaukee’s relatively small media market offers Giannis a buffer from the intense scrutiny of cities like New York or Los Angeles. A move to a high-profile team would invite relentless analysis of his every move, from his shot selection to his body language.
Fan Backlash: Bucks fans have embraced Giannis as one of their own. Leaving could alienate a loyal fanbase, creating pressure to justify his decision with immediate success. The emotional toll of being booed in Milwaukee during return games could be a deterrent.
Team Chemistry Risks: Giannis’s game relies on trust and chemistry with teammates who understand his style. A new team might struggle to integrate his ball-dominant, paint-focused approach, leading to friction or underperformance.
Legacy Concerns: Giannis has a chance to be Milwaukee’s greatest player ever, a legend who brought a title to a city starved for success. Leaving risks diluting that legacy, especially if he fails to match or exceed his Bucks achievements elsewhere. We know he likes stat padding, well now he can smash every franchise record and pretend he is doing it to be loyal.
Giannis is too chicken to move
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fear of leaving the Milwaukee Bucks is about the risks of stepping out of a perfectly crafted comfort zone. In Milwaukee, his weaknesses are mitigated, his playoff failures are cushioned by roster excuses, and his loyalty shields him from harsh criticism. A move to a new team would strip away these protections, exposing him to scrutiny, demanding growth in areas he’s yet to master, and risking his carefully built legacy. It looks as if Giannis doesn’t have the skill set to succeed anywhere and he knows it. The fear of failure, magnified by a new environment, will probably keep him rooted in Milwaukee for years to come. As he showed this season, he is quite happy stat padding and making the rest of his team look bad.
To evaluate whether any well-known NBA players have failed more consistently than Giannis Antetokounmpo in the playoffs, we need to consider his playoff record, define what constitutes “failure,” and compare it to other prominent players with similar or worse postseason outcomes over a comparable career span. The query highlights Giannis’ decade-plus career and his limited success beyond the first round, so we’ll focus on players with significant reputations who have struggled to advance in the playoffs, particularly in the first round, while accounting for context like injuries, team quality, and expectations.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Playoff Record
Giannis, a two-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and 2021 NBA Champion, has played 12 seasons (2013–2025) and appeared in 9 playoffs, participating in 16 playoff series across 84 games. His postseason record includes:
1 NBA Championship (2021, defeating the Phoenix Suns).
1 Eastern Conference Finals appearance (2019, lost to the Toronto Raptors).
2 second-round appearances (2020, lost to the Miami Heat; 2022, lost to the Boston Celtics).
His six first-round exits, including three consecutive from 2023 to 2025, and only one championship in 12 seasons have fuelled perceptions of postseason underachievement, especially given his individual accolades.
“Failure” in this context likely refers to early playoff exits (first-round losses or failing to reach deep playoff rounds) relative to expectations for a player of Giannis’ calibre. Factors like injuries (e.g., his 2023 back injury and 2024 calf strain, which sidelined him entirely), co-star injuries (e.g., Khris Middleton in 2022, Damian Lillard in 2025), and team construction challenges (e.g., limited roster depth post-2021) have contributed to these outcomes.
Criteria for Comparison
To identify players who may have “failed more consistently,” we’ll look at:
Well-known players: Those with MVP awards, All-NBA selections, All-Star appearances, or significant cultural impact.
Playoff consistency: Players with frequent first-round exits, limited deep playoff runs (e.g., never reaching a Conference Finals), or no championships despite long careers.
Career span: Players with at least 10 seasons to match Giannis’ “more than a decade.”
Context: Team quality, injuries, and era-specific challenges (e.g., facing dynasties like the Warriors or LeBron-led teams).
We’ll compare Giannis to players whose postseason resumes show similar or worse patterns of early exits or unmet expectations, focusing on the last few decades for relevance.
Players with Comparable or Worse Playoff Struggles
Here are several well-known NBA players who have arguably faced more consistent playoff disappointment than Giannis, based on frequent early exits, lack of deep runs, or no championships despite stellar individual careers:
Career playoff averages: 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists over 166 games.
Why More Consistent Failure?:
Harden has more first-round exits (8 vs. Giannis’ 6) over a longer career, despite playing with elite teammates like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Kyrie Irving.
No championships and only one Finals appearance, which came early in his career as a sixth man.
Notorious for playoff underperformance, with true shooting percentage dropping significantly in postseason play (e.g., 5% decrease noted in some analyses). His 2018 and 2019 losses to the Warriors, despite leading 3-2 in 2018, and his inefficient 2023 playoff run with Philadelphia highlight recurring struggles.
Faced tough competition (e.g., Warriors dynasty), but criticism persists for failing to elevate in clutch moments, unlike Giannis’ 2021 Finals MVP performance.
Context: Harden’s teams often had high expectations, but injuries (e.g., Chris Paul in 2018) and matchup challenges hurt his chances. Still, his lack of a title and frequent early exits outweigh Giannis’ resume, which includes a championship.
Career playoff averages: 24.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists over 74 games.
Why More Consistent Failure?:
Carmelo has more first-round exits (10 vs. Giannis’ 6) and only one Conference Finals appearance in 19 seasons, compared to Giannis’ four series wins and a title in 12 seasons.
Never reached an NBA Finals and won only three playoff series total (2009 vs. Dallas, 2010 vs. Utah, 2017 vs. Charlotte).
Known for iso-heavy play that didn’t translate to postseason success, with teams like the Knicks and Nuggets often exiting early despite his scoring prowess.
Context: Carmelo often played on flawed rosters, especially in New York, and faced strong Western Conference teams (e.g., Spurs, Lakers). However, his inability to lead teams deep into the playoffs, even in his prime, marks a more consistent pattern of postseason disappointment than Giannis, who has a championship and multiple deep runs.
Career playoff averages: 19.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.2 assists over 149 games.
Why More Consistent Failure?:
Matches Harden with 8 first-round exits and has more seasons (20 vs. Giannis’ 12) without a championship.
Only one Finals appearance late in his career (2021, losing to Giannis’ Bucks), with no titles despite playing alongside stars like Blake Griffin, James Harden, and Devin Booker.
Known for clutch regular-season play but has faced criticism for playoff injuries (e.g., hamstring in 2018 vs. Warriors) and late-game miscues, contributing to a narrative of postseason underachievement.
Context: Paul often elevated mediocre teams (e.g., Hornets, Clippers) but ran into juggernauts like the Spurs, Lakers, and Warriors. Injuries and bad luck played a role, but his lack of a title and frequent early exits rival or exceed Giannis’ struggles.
Career playoff averages: 24.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists over 122 games.
Why More Consistent Failure?:
Like Harden and Paul, Westbrook has 8 first-round exits, more than Giannis’ 6, and no championships despite a longer career.
Only one Finals appearance (2012, as a young player with Durant and Harden), with most playoff runs ending early, especially post-2016 when leading Houston and Washington.
Criticized for inefficient shooting (e.g., 41.7% career playoff FG% vs. Giannis’ 51.2%) and poor decision-making in high-stakes games, leading to consistent early exits in his prime.
Context: Westbrook faced tough Western Conference competition and played without Durant after 2016, but his style often hindered team success in the playoffs, making his postseason resume less impressive than Giannis’, who has a title and better efficiency.
5. Tracy McGrady (1997–2013, 16 seasons)
Accolades: 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 2x scoring champion, 2001 Most Improved Player.
Playoff Record:
9 playoff series across 9 appearances (1999–2005, 2007–2008, 2013).
0 Conference Finals appearances.
7 first-round exits (1999–2003, 2004–2005).
2 second-round exits (2007–2008).
Career playoff averages: 25.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists over 50 games.
Why More Consistent Failure?:
McGrady never advanced past the first round until 2007 (with Houston, as a secondary star), accumulating 7 first-round exits in his first 7 playoff appearances, worse than Giannis’ 6 in 9 playoffs.
No Conference Finals or Finals appearances, and no championships, despite being a top scorer in his prime.
His Orlando and Houston teams often underperformed, with McGrady’s 2003 Magic blowing a 3-1 lead to Detroit and his 2005 Rockets losing to Dallas after leading 2-0.
Context: McGrady dealt with injuries (e.g., back issues) and weak supporting casts in Orlando, but his inability to win a single series in his prime (1999–2005) marks a more consistent pattern of playoff failure than Giannis, who has a title and multiple series wins.
6. Joel Embiid (2016–present, 9 seasons, but effectively ~7 due to early injuries)
Accolades: 2023 MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x All-NBA.
Playoff Record:
11 playoff series across 7 appearances (2018–2024).
0 Conference Finals appearances.
4 first-round exits (2019, 2020, 2021, 2024).
3 second-round exits (2018, 2022, 2023).
Career playoff averages: 24.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists over 59 games.
Why Potentially More Consistent Failure?:
Embiid has fewer first-round exits (4 vs. Giannis’ 6), but zero Conference Finals appearances and no championships in a shorter career, compared to Giannis’ title and ECF run.
His playoff exits include high-profile collapses, like the 2019 loss to Toronto (Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater) and the 2021 choke against Atlanta after leading 2-0. His 2024 first-round loss to the Knicks, despite averaging 33 points, raised questions about his clutch play.
Health issues (e.g., knee injuries, facial fractures) have limited his postseason impact, similar to Giannis’ injury woes, but Embiid’s lack of any deep runs is more glaring given Philadelphia’s strong rosters (e.g., with Harden, Butler, Simmons).
Context: Embiid’s career is shorter, so he may not yet surpass Giannis in “consistent failure,” but his inability to reach even a Conference Finals despite MVP-level play and talented teammates makes him a candidate. If his playoff struggles persist, he could overtake Giannis in this regard.
Analysis and Comparison
Giannis’ playoff record (1 championship, 1 ECF, 6 first-round exits in 9 playoffs) is underwhelming for a player of his stature, especially with three straight first-round losses from 2023 to 2025. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, noting his 1-8 record in playoff games over 32 minutes since 2022 and zero playoff wins from 2022 to 2025. However, his 2021 championship and Finals MVP, along with four series wins, set him apart from many peers who have no titles or fewer deep runs.
More Consistent Failures: Harden, Carmelo, Paul, Westbrook, and McGrady have worse postseason resumes due to more first-round exits (7–10 vs. Giannis’ 6), fewer or no championships, and fewer Conference Finals appearances. Carmelo and McGrady stand out for their near-total lack of playoff success, with McGrady never reaching a Conference Finals and Carmelo doing so only once. Harden and Westbrook, despite playing with multiple Hall of Famers, have only one Finals appearance each, both early in their careers.
Comparable but Less Severe: Embiid’s case is close, with no Conference Finals and four first-round exits, but his shorter career and fewer total exits (4 vs. 6) make his failures less extensive than Giannis’—though his lack of deep runs is arguably more disappointing given his team’s talent.
Other Notable Mentions
Dominique Wilkins (1982–1999, 17 seasons): 8x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 1x scoring champion. Reached one Conference Finals (1988) but had 7 first-round exits and no Finals appearances. His era included tough competition (Celtics, Pistons), but his playoff resume is thinner than Giannis’.
Vince Carter (1998–2020, 22 seasons): 8x All-Star, 2x All-NBA. Never reached a Conference Finals, with 6 first-round exits and only two second-round appearances. His longevity and lack of deep runs make him a candidate, but his lower peak (no MVP-level seasons) reduces his comparability to Giannis.
Allen Iverson (1996–2010, 14 seasons): 2001 MVP, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA. Reached one NBA Finals (2001, lost to Lakers) but had 5 first-round exits and only three series wins total. His iconic 2001 run overshadows a mostly disappointing playoff career, but Giannis’ title gives him an edge.
So it’s looking bad for Giannis indeed
Several well-known NBA players have failed more consistently in the playoffs than Giannis Antetokounmpo, primarily due to more first-round exits, fewer deep runs, and no championships over longer careers. James Harden, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Tracy McGrady are the strongest examples, with 7–10 first-round exits each and minimal or no Finals appearances. Carmelo and McGrady are particularly notable for their near-complete lack of postseason success despite superstar status. Joel Embiid is a close case but falls short due to a shorter career, though his ongoing struggles could surpass Giannis’ if they continue.
Giannis’ six first-round exits and three straight from 2023 to 2025 are disappointing, especially for a two-time MVP, but his 2021 championship, Finals MVP, and four series wins (including a Conference Finals appearance) distinguish him from these peers. Injuries and roster issues have played a significant role in his recent failures, as they have for others, but his playoff production (27.0 PPG, 12.2 RPG) and historic series performances mitigate the perception of “consistent failure” compared to players with less postseason hardware or impact. However Giannis ain’t done yet! He can fail at least 5-6 more times either with the Bucks or another team if he gets traded.
The 2024-25 regular season saw some statistical declines in specific areas compared to his previous seasons. All statistics are sourced from reputable platforms like Basketball-Reference, ESPN, and NBA.com.
Overview of Giannis’ 2024-25 Regular Season
In the 2024-25 regular season, Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared in 67 games for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Statistical Declines in 2024-25 Compared to Previous Seasons
1. Points Per Game (PPG)
2024-25: 30.4 PPG Giannis’ scoring output in 2024-25 was impressive but lower than his career-high 31.1 PPG in the 2022-23 season. Comparing to recent seasons:
2. Free-Throw Attempts and Percentage
2024-25: 10.8 FTA, 65.8% FT% Giannis’ free-throw shooting has long been a point of contention, and 2024-25 saw a decline in both attempts and efficiency:
Free-Throw Attempts (FTA):
2023-24: 11.2 FTA2022-23: 12.3 FTA (highest in his career)2021-22: 11.4 FTA2020-21: 10.2 FTA2019-20: 10.0 FTA
In 2024-25, Giannis averaged 10.8 free-throw attempts per game, lower than the previous three seasons. The league has figured him out.
His 65.8% FT% in 2024-25 was among his worst since 2019-20, significantly below his 72.2% peak in 2021-22. This regression in free-throw accuracy impacted his overall scoring efficiency, especially in close games and is a massive liability in a lot of situations.
3. Steals Per Game (SPG)
2024-25: 0.9 SPG Giannis’ defensive impact used to be a hallmark of his game, but his steals average in 2024-25 was a notable low:
2023-24: 1.2 SPG
2022-23: 0.8 SPG (career low, tied with 2021-22)
2021-22: 1.1 SPG
2020-21: 1.2 SPG
2019-20: 1.0 SPG
The 0.9 SPG in 2024-25 was lower than four of the past five seasons, matching his 2019-20 output but falling short of his 2023-24 and 2020-21 figures. This dip may reflect a strategic shift, with Giannis focusing more on rim protection (1.2 BPG) or conserving energy on a Bucks roster dealing with injuries.
4. Three-Point Shooting
2024-25: 0.3 3PM, 25.9% 3P% Giannis has never been a prolific three-point shooter, but his 2024-25 numbers were particularly low:
Three-Point Makes (3PM):
2023-24: 0.5 3PM
2022-23: 0.7 3PM
2021-22: 1.1 3PM
2020-21: 1.1 3PM
2019-20: 1.4 3PM
His 0.3 three-pointers made per game in 2024-25 was the lowest since 2018-19 (0.2 3PM).
His 25.9% three-point shooting was the worst since 2017-18 (25.0%). This regression reflects a continued reluctance to shoot from beyond the arc, with only 1.1 three-point attempts per game in 2024-25. It is almost the worse 3pt shooting percentage in NBA history for a single season.
5. Minutes Per Game (MPG)
2024-25: 34.2 MPG Giannis played fewer minutes per game in 2024-25 than in most recent seasons:
2023-24: 35.2 MPG
2022-23: 34.2 MPG (tied with 2024-25)
2021-22: 36.8 MPG
2020-21: 33.0 MPG
2019-20: 30.4 MPG
The 34.2 MPG matches his 2022-23 figure but is lower than 2023-24 and 2021-22. This reduction could be due to load management, injuries to teammates like Lillard, or coaching decisions under Doc Rivers.
Other stats
1. Offensive Rebounds Per Game (ORPG) 2024-25: 2.7 ORPG
Giannis’ offensive rebounding, a key component of his ability to generate second-chance points, saw a decline in 2024-25:
2023-24: 2.9 ORPG 2022-23: 2.2 ORPG 2021-22: 2.0 ORPG 2020-21: 1.6 ORPG 2019-20: 2.1 ORPG His 2.7 offensive rebounds per game in 2024-25 were lower than his 2023-24 mark (2.9 ORPG) but higher than the four preceding seasons. The slight drop from 2023-24 could be due to a shift in role, with Giannis focusing more on playmaking (6.5 APG) or playing alongside other rebounders like Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma, reducing his opportunities on the offensive glass.
2. Defensive Rebounds Per Game (DRPG) 2024-25: 9.2 DRPG
Giannis’ defensive rebounding, which contributes to his league-leading total rebounds, also dipped slightly:
2023-24: 9.6 DRPG 2022-23: 9.6 DRPG 2021-22: 9.9 DRPG 2020-21: 9.4 DRPG 2019-20: 11.4 DRPG His 9.2 defensive rebounds per game in 2024-25 were lower than every season since 2019-20. This decline may reflect increased competition for rebounds within the Bucks’ lineup or a strategic emphasis on transitioning quickly to offense rather than securing every defensive board.
Giannis’ assist-to-turnover ratio in 2024-25 was worse than several prior seasons. He simply screws up more and more:
2023-24: 1.92 (6.5 APG, 3.4 TOV) 2022-23: 1.44 (5.7 APG, 3.9 TOV) 2021-22: 1.75 (5.8 APG, 3.3 TOV) 2020-21: 2.07 (5.9 APG, 2.8 TOV) 2019-20: 1.61 (5.6 APG, 3.7 TOV) The 2024-25 AST/TOV ratio of 1.91 was slightly worse than 2023-24 (1.92) and significantly lower than 2020-21 (2.07). While Giannis maintained a high assist average (6.5 APG), his turnovers remained consistent at 3.4 per game, suggesting that his increased ball-handling responsibilities didn’t translate to better ball security compared to his peak efficiency in 2020-21.
4. Player Efficiency Rating (PER) 2024-25: Estimated 28.0 PER
Player Efficiency Rating (PER) measures a player’s per-minute productivity, normalised to a league average of 15.0. Giannis’ PER in 2024-25 was lower than several prior seasons:
2023-24: 29.8 2022-23: 29.0 2021-22: 32.1 (career high) 2020-21: 29.2 2019-20: 31.9 His estimated 28.0 PER in 2024-25 (based on Basketball-Reference trends) was lower than four of the past five seasons, with only 2022-23 (29.0) being closer. This dip reflects slight regressions in scoring efficiency, turnovers, and defensive metrics like steals, though he remained among the league’s top performers.
True Shooting Percentage accounts for field goals, three-pointers, and free throws to measure overall shooting efficiency. Giannis’ TS% in 2024-25 was:
2023-24: 61.3% 2022-23: 60.5% 2021-22: 63.3% 2020-21: 61.7% 2019-20: 61.3% His 59.8% TS% in 2024-25 was the lowest since 2018-19 (59.7%) and worse than all five previous seasons. This decline is largely attributable to his poor free-throw shooting (65.8%) and reduced three-point accuracy (25.9%), which dragged down his overall efficiency despite a solid 55.7% FG%. Seeing as he mainly dunked this season, this drop is very worrying.
Win Shares Per 48 Minutes measures a player’s contribution to team wins, normalised per 48 minutes. Giannis’ WS/48 in 2024-25 was:
2023-24: 0.233 2022-23: 0.208 2021-22: 0.281 2020-21: 0.260 2019-20: 0.279 His estimated 0.220 WS/48 in 2024-25 was lower than four of the past five seasons, surpassing only 2022-23. This drop reflects declines in offensive efficiency (e.g., TS%) and defensive contributions (e.g., steals).
Box Plus/Minus estimates a player’s contribution to team performance per 100 possessions. Giannis’ BPM in 2024-25 was:
2023-24: 8.8 2022-23: 8.6 2021-22: 11.8 2020-21: 9.2 2019-20: 11.1 His estimated 8.5 BPM in 2024-25 was lower than four of the past five seasons, with only 2022-23 (8.6) being comparable. This slight decline aligns with reduced efficiency (TS%, PER) and defensive metrics (SPG, DRPG), though he remained a top-tier contributor.
Yes, Giannis is past his prime and not improving
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024-25 regular season featured important and meaningful statistical regressions. He posted lower numbers in points (compared to 2022-23), free-throw attempts and percentage, steals, field goal attempts, three-point shooting, and minutes played compared to various prior seasons. As Giannis is past his prime at age 30, these declines signal a meaningful downward trend, yet another reason no teams are beating down the door for trades.
Sources: Basketball-Reference.com, ESPN.com, NBA.com, RotoWire.com, Proballers.com, LandOfBasketball.com, Yahoo Sports, and posts on X. All stats are accurate as of April 30, 2025.
Each summer, as the NBA season winds down, fans and analysts turn their attention to what players like Giannis do during the off season. For Antetokounmpo, the summer is a blend of international competition, family time, philanthropy, and targeted training. However, a narrative persists that Giannis doesn’t significantly improve his game during these months.
A History of Giannis’s Summer Activities
Early Career (2013–2016): Building the Foundation
In his early NBA years, Giannis was a raw prospect, drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013. His summers were focused on adapting to the NBA’s physicality and pace. During this period, he spent significant time in the gym, working on his strength and conditioning to transform his lanky 6’9” frame into the 6’11” powerhouse he is today. Regarding physical strength nobody can really complain about Giannis, the problem is with his skillset.
2013–2014: As a rookie, Giannis’s summer was about acclimating to the NBA. He participated in the Bucks’ training camps and worked on basic skills like ball-handling and shooting. His commitment to daily gym work—reportedly spending 5–7 hours a day—was evident, laying the groundwork for his versatility.
2014–2015: Giannis represented Greece at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, averaging 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in limited minutes. This experience exposed him to high-level international competition but didn’t really lead to him enhancing his court vision and defensive instincts. He also played in the NBA Summer League, trying to refine his skills against other young prospects.
2015–2016: This summer marked a pivotal shift. Bucks coach Jason Kidd began experimenting with Giannis as a point guard, a role that required him to improve his ball-handling and decision-making. He spent the off season working on these skills, which translated into a breakout 2016–17 season where he led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories. Has he improved in ball handling though? Not at an NBA elite level by any means. He is “passable” but still leads the league in travelling, palming and other violations in 2025.
Mid-Career (2017–2020): Rising to Stardom
As Giannis ascended to All-Star status, his summers balanced international play, NBA training, and growing off-court commitments. His work ethic remained relentless, but the focus shifted toward business aspects and less about the game.
2017: After earning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, Giannis spent the summer on his passing and playmaking. He worked with coaches to counter defensive strategies like double-teaming, which teams began employing as he became a focal point of the Bucks’ offence. It is now 2025 and he doesn’t seem even now to be able to handle double teams.
2018: Giannis continued to train in Milwaukee, focusing on his physicality and finishing through contact. He also engaged in charitable activities, hosting tournaments in Greece with his brothers to give back to his community. Again, outside the court he is doing great, but the targets he set for on court improvement never showed up.
2019: Following his first MVP season, Giannis played in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, averaging 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. Off the court, he spent time with his family, amidst rising fame which he seems to enjoy with high profile outings to Greek jet set destinations and media appearances.
2020: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional offseason routines, but Giannis used the time to work on his midrange shooting and free-throw mechanics. Clearly none of this translated into results as 2025 was his worse free throw percentage ever in his career.
Championship Era (2021–2023): Cementing Greatness
After leading the Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship, Giannis’s summers became a mix of recovery, international duties, but not much targeted skill work. His global profile grew, adding media and endorsement obligations.
2021: Fresh off a Finals MVP performance, Giannis dealt with a hyperextended knee injury from the playoffs. His summer focused on rehabilitation, but he still trained to maintain his conditioning. He also began working on his jump shot, aiming to address a career-long critique. After a terrible 2025 playoff performance in this respect (basically almost no mid range in the playoffs) it is clear that he can’t improve when it counts.
2022: Giannis played for Greece at EuroBasket, dropping 31 points and 10 rebounds in just 20 minutes against Spain in a friendly match. He worked on his three-point shooting, going viral for hitting seven consecutive corner threes in warmups. While his in-game three-point percentage remained low (28.8% career), his form showed improvement. However 2025 marks not only his worse 3point percentage in his entire career but close to the worse 3pt percentage in a single season of anyone ever in NBA history.
2023: Giannis prioritized rest and family time after another grueling season. He also engaged in philanthropy, donating to Milwaukee community centers, reflecting his commitment to his adopted city.
Recent Years (2024–2025): Olympic Pride and Trade Rumors
2024: Giannis was named Greece’s flag bearer for the Paris 2024 Olympics, a significant honour. He trained for the Olympic qualifiers, leading Greece despite getting terrible results. Off the court, he navigated trade rumours as the Bucks faced playoff disappointments, but he remained in Milwaukee.
2025 (Ongoing): As of May 2025, Giannis is likely preparing for another season amid speculation about his future with the Bucks. His summer plans typically include training in Milwaukee or Greece, international competition, and family time.
Why the Perception of Stagnation* persists*
Giannis hasn’t improved significantly:
Three-Point Shooting: Giannis’s career three-point percentage is 28.4%, and he’s never shot above 31.7%. Viral videos of him hitting corner threes in warm ups raised expectations, but in-game results haven’t matched. This gap fuels criticism, though his mid range improvement suggests he’s prioritising more impactful areas.
Free Throws: His free-throw percentage (61.7% in 2024–25) remains a weak point. While he’s worked on his rhythm and mechanics, consistency lags, amplifying perceptions of stagnation.
Expectations: As a two-time MVP, Giannis faces sky-high expectations. Fans want trans formative leaps, like adding a reliable jump shot, but his dominance in other areas (driving, defence, play making) means incremental gains are less noticeable.
Factors Limiting Perceived Improvement
Several factors contribute to the narrative of stagnation:
Summer Balance: Giannis’s summers involve international play, philanthropy, and family, which may limit dedicated skill work compared to players who focus solely on training. Yet, these activities enhance his leadership and mental resilience, which are harder to quantify.
Peak Performance: At 30, Giannis is possibly past his prime. Dramatic improvements are harder to achieve when you’re already among the NBA’s best. More importantly it seems that when it counts, most teams can counter Giannis even with a single defender on him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s training with Hakeem Olajuwon in 2023 generated buzz due to Olajuwon’s legendary status as a post-up maestro and Giannis’s expressed desire to refine his game. However this is a rare exception, Giannis doesn’t mingle with stars and seems socially unable to blend with them in order to learn. Olajuwon wasn’t really an exception:
Short Duration of Training: The training session was brief, likely spanning just a few days. Skill development, especially for complex post moves like Olajuwon’s “Dream Shake,” requires extensive repetition and practice over weeks or months to integrate into a player’s game. Even for an elite athlete like Giannis, a short session might provide insights but not enough time to master new techniques.
Giannis’s Existing Playstyle: Giannis’s dominance relies on his athleticism, speed, and ability to drive to the rim, often overpowering defenders. His post game, while effective, isn’t his primary weapon, and he excels in transition and face-up situations. Olajuwon’s expertise lies in low-post footwork and finesse, which may not align seamlessly with Giannis’s natural strengths. Adapting to a more finesse-based post game could require a significant shift in approach, which might not have been practical or prioritized.
Limited Application in Game Context: Even if Giannis learned specific moves, incorporating them into NBA games is challenging. Defenses often scheme to neutralize Giannis by building “walls” to limit his drives, and his post-up opportunities are sometimes secondary. His struggles with mid-range floaters (27.9% from floater range in 2022-23) suggest a need for broader scoring versatility, but Olajuwon’s training focused on post moves, which may not address this specific weakness.
Expectations vs. Reality: The hype around the training session, fueled by Giannis’s comments on the “48 Minutes” podcast and Olajuwon’s track record with players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, set lofty expectations. However, not all players see immediate transformations from such sessions. For example, Gilbert Arenas criticized the effectiveness of Olajuwon’s training, arguing that players like LeBron didn’t visibly adopt Olajuwon’s moves despite training with him. This suggests that the impact of such sessions can be overstated.
Lack of Visible Evidence: While Giannis showed a post move resembling Olajuwon’s style in a preseason game against the Lakers, there’s little evidence of consistent incorporation into his regular-season play. Social media discussions, like those on Reddit, noted that Giannis’s footwork didn’t markedly improve, and some argued that Olajuwon’s fluid, coordinated style is hard for bigger, less agile players to replicate. The absence of standout post-up highlights or statistical improvements in post scoring could contribute to the perception of “no results.”
External Criticism and Context: Gilbert Arenas’s vocal skepticism, claiming Olajuwon’s $50,000 sessions were a “cash grab” and ineffective for modern players, may have shaped public perception. While Arenas’s critique is controversial, it highlights a broader debate about the value of short, high-profile training camps versus long-term skill work. Additionally, Olajuwon’s praise for Giannis’s work ethic suggests the session was productive in intent, but intent doesn’t always translate to on-court results.
Conclusion: The lack of “real results” likely stems from the brief nature of the training, the mismatch between Olajuwon’s finesse-based post game and Giannis’s athletic, power-driven style, and the difficulty of integrating new skills under NBA game pressure. High expectations and external critiques, like Arenas’s, further amplified the perception of underwhelming outcomes. While the session may have offered Giannis valuable lessons, translating them into consistent, observable improvements would require sustained practice and a shift in his playing style, neither of which seemed to fully materialize in the 2023-24 season.
Why Giannis’s Approach doesn’t work
Giannis’s summer activities reflect a holistic approach to growth. International competition sharpens his leadership and adaptability. Philanthropy and family time recharge him mentally, crucial for a player under constant pressure. His training targets specific weaknesses (mid range, passing) while maintaining his strengths (athleticism, defence). His large hands and unconventional form require extensive refinement, and he faces constant defensive pressure that limits clean looks. His physical gifts are a double-edged sword. They’re so overwhelming that he can often dominate without needing a polished outside game, reducing the urgency to overhaul his style. Also, mastering new skills under NBA scrutiny is challenging when you’re already a two-time MVP. Playoff defenses are more sophisticated, and Giannis is often double- or triple-teamed. Developing counters (e.g., consistent shooting, advanced play making) takes time, especially when opponents tailor entire game plans to stop him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s summers are a blend of hard work, global representation, and personal balance. As Giannis navigates trade rumours and playoff pressures, his commitment to evolving—on his terms—ensures he’ll remain a force for years to come. He seems unable to understand how to improve his game in any significant way. Possibly he thinks he is good enough as he is. Maybe he thinks his style of game works and is self deluded in terms of evaluating just how little he really impacts games that matter. His regular season stats and personal achievements seem to be enough for his fans, his team and most of the NBA media. So why change?
During the regular season, in a stretch of easy games, the myth emerged that Giannis had “developed a
mid range shot”. Various crazy statistics flew around. Of course as the
season ended he regressed to his normal average. Under pressure Giannis has no mid range, we had already seen it in harder match ups in the regular season.
Here are the official NBA.com statistics from the playoffs. Giannis is nowhere to be seen even in 5-9 feet shooting distance. He is nowhere to be seen in the next mid range distance , 10-14ft. Neither in volume, nor in percentage of successful shots.
Giannis is a one trick pony and always has been, in fact he has regressed in many ways this season.
Oh but wait, what about his favourite mid range shots? He has three very specific places he can make those, when defences don’t run him off them at least. Oh , well done Giannis, you make ONE shot per game from there on average in the playoffs, albeit with one of the lowest percentages among your peers!
And of course 20-24 ft is also a mid range shot, it’s not yet a 3. And of course Giannis never had anything at that distance and he hasn’t even tried in the playoffs. Just for any fools still believing the Giannis mid range myth, here are the NBA leaders today (28/4/2025) as per nba.com for that distance too.
Also, for those of you who only watch highlights and choose to forget the overall picture, here are the detailed shot
charts. For example Game 1 you can see him fail from 3 and score 2 out of 5 from mid range.
And it gets worse of course, here is game 2:
The Regular-Season Hype
His improvement in the regular season hype was attributed to dedicated off season work in Greece, where Giannis trained with a skills coach to refine his jump shot. ESPN detailed how he focused on mid-range shots to reduce physical wear from constant rim attacks, aiming to extend his career. His performance in the 2024 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament, where he reportedly went 6-for-8 from mid-range against Croatia, further fuelled the narrative. The Bucks’ coaching staff, led by Doc Rivers, emphasised Giannis operating from the elbows, turning him into an “offensive nexus” with a polished jumper.
The regular season provided plenty of highlight-reel moments: a 19-foot pull-up against Aaron Gordon, a fadeaway from the baseline, or a jumper from the nail in clutch situations. These plays led to bold claims that Giannis’ mid-range game was transforming the Bucks into title contenders, making him “unstoppable” by neutralizing defensive walls in the paint. But regular-season stats can be misleading, especially when games against lottery-bound teams or fatigued opponents inflate shooting percentages.
The Playoff Disappearance
When the playoffs roll around, the game changes. Defenses tighten, schemes adjust, and stars face relentless pressure. For Giannis, the mid-range jumper that sparkled in the regular season has consistently dimmed in the postseason. In the 2024-25 playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, Giannis posted gaudy stat lines—37 points, 12 rebounds in Game 3; 34 points, 18 rebounds in Game 2; 36 points, 12 rebounds in Game 1—but a deeper dive reveals a glaring absence of mid-range attempts.
Social media chatter from fans, like a post on X noting Giannis took only one mid-range shot in a playoff game, underscores the trend: when the pressure mounts, Giannis reverts to his bread-and-butter, bullying his way to the rim. Playoff defenses, aware of his dominance in the paint, are content to let him take mid-range shots, knowing his efficiency drops under scrutiny. Unlike the regular season, where he faced softer coverages or mismatched defenders, playoff teams build walls, sag off, and dare him to shoot. The result? Giannis abandons the mid-range, opting for high-percentage drives or free throws.
Historical playoff data supports this. In the 2021 championship run, Giannis leaned heavily on his rim attacks and free throws, with mid-range shots playing a minor role. His iconic 50-point Finals closeout game featured dunks, layups, and 17-of-19 free throws, not pull-up jumpers. Recent playoffs show similar patterns: when defenses lock in, Giannis’ mid-range attempts dwindle, and his shooting percentage from that range plummets compared to the regular season’s 47.8%. The “elite mid-range shooter” narrative crumbles under postseason pressure.
Why the Disconnect?
Several factors explain why Giannis’ mid-range game thrives in the regular season but falters in the playoffs:
Defensive Intensity: Regular-season games often feature inconsistent effort from rebuilding teams or players coasting through the schedule. Playoff defenses, however, are laser-focused, with top-tier rim protectors and help defenders clogging the paint, forcing Giannis to settle for jumpers he’s less comfortable taking under pressure.
Game Planning: Playoff teams scout Giannis meticulously, conceding mid-range shots to keep him away from the rim. A 45% mid-range jumper, while respectable, is far less threatening than his 60%+ efficiency at the basket. Giannis, aware of this, prioritizes drives to maximize efficiency.
Physical Toll: Giannis himself has said mid-range shots reduce wear on his body, a strategy for career longevity. But in the playoffs, where every possession counts, he leans on his physical dominance, absorbing contact to draw fouls or finish through traffic, sidelining the jumper.
Sample Size and Context: Regular-season mid-range stats can be skewed by small sample sizes or favorable matchups. A hot streak against teams like the Wizards or Pistons doesn’t translate to success against playoff-caliber defenses like Miami or Boston.
The Myth’s Impact
The overhyping of Giannis’ mid-range game creates unrealistic expectations. Fans and analysts touting his “evolution” overlook how his dominance has always stemmed from paint scoring, playmaking, and defense—not jump shooting. The Bucks’ 2021 title didn’t hinge on mid-range mastery; it came from Giannis’ relentless rim pressure and clutch free-throw shooting. Projecting him as a Kevin Durant-esque shooter ignores his core strengths and sets a false narrative for playoff success.
So he can’t improve?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s mid-range improvement is a compelling story, but it’s largely a regular-season phenomenon that fades in the playoffs. The data, from his limited mid-range attempts in high-stakes games to fan observations of his rim-focused approach, paints a clear picture: the jumper is a supplementary tool, not a game-changer. Giannis remains a force of nature, but his path to another title lies in leveraging his athleticism and paint dominance, not in chasing a mid-range mirage. As the Bucks chase playoff glory, it’s time to let the myth of Giannis’ mid-range mastery rest.
(For anyone still wanting to discuss the matter, here is Giannis’ shot chart for Game 4)
Before I even get into the overall picture regarding Giannis look at this:
The man has played for more than a decade in the NBA and he gets the whistle for travelling violations 26 times in a season! (And another 26 they didn’t bother to blow the whistle on him at least.) 3 back court violations? Really Giannis? Palming? 32 offensive fouls? 13 charges? We all know he can’t dribble but maybe he needs to get the memo.
1. Defensive Impact Took a Step Back
Giannis has long been heralded as one of the NBA’s premier defenders, earning the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year award. However, in the 2024-25 season, his defensive impact waned compared to his peak years. While he averaged 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals per game, these numbers are closer to his career lows than his elite defensive seasons (e.g., 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals in 2019-20). His Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM), a metric that estimates defensive contribution, dropped to 0.8, down from 1.4 in the previous season and significantly lower than his 2.1 in his DPOY year. This regression is particularly concerning as Giannis enters his age-30 season, where maintaining elite defensive production becomes more challenging.
2. Free-Throw Shooting Remains a Liability
Giannis’ free-throw shooting has been a career-long Achilles’ heel, and the 2024-25 season saw no meaningful improvement. He shot 64.5% from the line on a career-high 10.9 attempts per game, a slight dip from his 65.7% in 2023-24. This poor performance at the stripe continues to hurt the Bucks in close games, especially in the playoffs, where opponents often employ “Hack-a-Giannis” strategies.
Impact of the Decline:
In clutch situations (final five minutes of games within five points), Giannis’ free-throw struggles were glaring. He converted only 60.2% of his clutch free throws, costing the Bucks valuable points in tight contests.
His high volume of attempts amplifies the issue. With 10.9 attempts per game, missing roughly 3.9 shots per game translates to nearly 320 missed free throws over an 82-game season—a significant point differential.
3. Playmaking Inconsistency
While Giannis tied his career-high with 6.5 assists per game, his play making became less consistent compared to prior seasons. Posts on X highlighted that his increased reliance on mid-range jumpers and low-post isolations led to more stagnant possessions, reducing his ability to create for teammates. His assist-to-turnover ratio (6.5 assists to 3.4 turnovers) was respectable but unchanged from recent years, indicating no growth in decision-making efficiency.
Key Observations:
Giannis’ assists often came from straightforward kick-outs or dump-offs rather than complex reads. Advanced metrics like Assist Points Created (APC) show he generated 15.2 points per game via assists, but this figure is lower than playmaking savants like Nikola Jokić (22.7 APC) or Luka Dončić (19.8 APC).
His tendency to dominate the ball in isolation-heavy sets disrupted the Bucks’ offensive flow, especially when paired with Damian Lillard, whose off-ball movement was underutilized.
4. Three-Point Shooting Regressed
Giannis has never been a prolific three-point shooter, but his 2024-25 season saw a noticeable dip in both volume and efficiency. He attempted only 1.2 threes per game (down from 1.7 in 2023-24) and made them at a career-low 20.7%. This regression limits his ability to stretch defences, allowing opponents to clog the paint and dare clearer shots.
Why It Matters:
Modern NBA offences rely on spacing, and Giannis’ reluctance to shoot from deep makes it easier for defenders to sag off him. This was evident in games against teams like the Boston Celtics, who packed the paint and forced Giannis into inefficient mid-range attempts.
His low three-point volume reduces his offensive versatility, as he rarely threatens defences from beyond the arc, unlike other bigs like Karl-Anthony Towns or even Joel Embiid.
Areas Where Giannis Hasn’t Improved
1. Post-Up Scoring Efficiency
Giannis’ post-up game remains a work in progress. Despite his physical dominance, he struggles to convert consistently in the post, especially against savvy defenders who force him into tough fade aways or contested hooks. His post-up efficiency (points per possession) was 0.92, below the league average for big men (0.95). Critics on X noted that his post-up possessions often result in low-percentage shots or turnovers rather than drawing doubles and creating open looks for teammates.
What’s Holding Him Back?:
Limited Footwork: Giannis relies heavily on power and athleticism rather than refined footwork or countermoves. Defenders who can match his physicality, like Draymond Green or Anthony Davis, often neutralize him in the post.
Predictability: His go-to moves (spin move or drop-step) are well-scouted, and he hasn’t developed a consistent counter to keep defenders guessing.
2. Off-Ball Movement and Screening
Giannis is not a natural off-ball player, a weakness that persisted in 2024-25. He rarely cuts, sets screens, or relocates to exploit defensive attention, which limits his fit in motion-based offences. Social media posts emphasise his lack of chemistry in pick-and-roll sets with guards like Lillard, as he doesn’t roll hard or set effective screens.
Impact:
The Bucks’ offence often stagnates when Giannis isn’t the primary ball-handler, as he struggles to create value without the ball. This was evident in games where Lillard or Khris Middleton ran the offence, and Giannis was reduced to standing in the dunker’s spot.
His screening deficiencies reduce the effectiveness of Milwaukee’s pick-and-roll game, forcing Lillard to create in isolation or rely on other screeners like Brook Lopez.
3. Mid-Range Shooting Stagnation
While Giannis has worked to develop a mid-range jumper, his efficiency in this area hasn’t progressed significantly. He shot 39.4% on mid-range attempts (10-16 feet), roughly in line with his 40.1% in 2023-24. This lack of improvement limits his ability to punish defences that give him space in the mid-post or at the elbow.
Why It’s a Problem:
Elite bigs like Kevin Durant or Nikola Jokić use mid-range shooting to keep defences honest, but Giannis’ inconsistency allows opponents to focus on rim protection without worrying about pull-up jumpers.
His increased reliance on mid-range shots (up to 3.1 attempts per game) without improved accuracy led to inefficient possessions, especially in crunch time.
4. Clutch Performance Under Pressure
Giannis’ clutch performance remains a mixed bag. While he delivered standout moments, such as his 59-point, 14-rebound game against the Pistons, his overall clutch stats (last five minutes, game within five points) were underwhelming. He shot 54.2% from the field in clutch situations (down from 58.7% in 2023-24) and, as mentioned, struggled at the free-throw line. His turnover rate in clutch scenarios also rose to 4.1 per 36 minutes, indicating issues with decision-making under pressure.
Key Issues:
Over-Reliance on Hero Ball: Giannis often resorts to forcing drives or isolations in clutch moments, leading to contested shots or turnovers.
Lack of Go-To Move: Giannis lacks a reliable crunch-time move to generate clean looks consistently.
As a player entering his prime, Giannis was expected to refine his weaknesses, particularly in shooting and off-ball play, to elevate the Bucks’ championship ceiling.
Looking Ahead: Can Giannis Address These Shortcomings?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024-25 season was marred by subtle regressions and persistent weaknesses. His defensive impact waned, his free-throw shooting remained a liability, and his play making lacked consistency. Meanwhile, his post-up scoring, off-ball movement, mid-range shooting, and clutch performance showed little to no improvement. While injuries and team context played a role, these shortcomings underscore the challenges Giannis faces as he navigates his prime. For the Bucks to contend in 2025-26, Giannis must address these areas. Otherwise he might as well already prepare some dumb “there is no failure in sports” speech…
Sources Basketball-Reference.com for statistical data / ESPN.com for game logs and advanced stats / RotoWire.com for fantasy and performance analysis / Posts on social media for fan and analyst sentiment
This is the video that sparked a hundred wars in the comments section:
The Case for “Giannis Is Washed”
1. Post-Championship Playoff Struggles
One of the primary arguments for labelling Giannis as washed stems from the Milwaukee Bucks’ postseason performance since their 2021 championship. Since hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the Bucks have won just one playoff series in the last three years, a stark contrast to their dominance in the regular season. Critics point to early exits—like the 2023 first-round loss to the Miami Heat and subsequent disappointments—as evidence that Giannis can’t deliver when it matters most.
In 2023, Giannis was hampered by a back injury, missing games in the Heat series, and the Bucks collapsed despite holding the NBA’s best regular-season record. Detractors argue that a true superstar should elevate his team regardless of circumstances, and Giannis’s inability to drag Milwaukee past Miami fuelled the “washed” narrative. The Bucks’ reliance on Giannis as their sole engine, especially without a fully healthy supporting cast, has exposed vulnerabilities that critics interpret as a decline in his impact.
Health is a recurring theme in the “washed” argument—not just for Giannis but for the Bucks as a whole. Milwaukee hasn’t fielded a fully healthy roster in the playoffs since 2021, with key players like Khris Middleton and, more recently, Damian Lillard battling injuries. Giannis himself has dealt with nagging issues, from knee soreness to the aforementioned back problem. Critics argue that if Giannis were truly in his prime, he’d overcome these setbacks and carry the Bucks deeper, much like LeBron James or Kevin Durant have done in injury-riddled seasons.
The absence of Lillard, who is likely to miss at least the start of the 2025 playoffs, puts even more pressure on Giannis. Skeptics claim that his physical, rim-attacking style—reliant on explosive athleticism—may be taking a toll, making him less durable and effective in high-stakes moments. If Giannis can’t stay on the court or compensate for missing teammates, some wonder if his peak has passed. More importantly it can well be argued that his injuries are a result of low IQ on Giannis’ part in several aspects of his game, stat padding mania and lack of intelligence in planning ahead.
3. Perceived Lack of Skill Development
Another pillar of the “washed” argument is Giannis’ offensive game, which critics say hasn’t evolved enough to keep pace with the modern NBA. Known for his relentless drives and dominance in the paint, Giannis remains a below-average shooter from beyond the arc, with a career three-point percentage hovering around 29%. In an era where versatility is king, his inability to stretch the floor consistently can clog Milwaukee’s offence, especially in playoff settings where defences pack the paint and dare him to shoot.
While Giannis has improved as a playmaker—evidenced by increased assists and triple-double threats—critics argue he still lacks the finesse or mid-range game to counter playoff adjustments. Compare this to players like Nikola Jokić or Jayson Tatum, who’ve added layers to their offensive arsenals, and some see Giannis as one-dimensional. If he’s not bulldozing to the rim, the argument goes, his impact wanes, suggesting a plateau and that is why his trade value is declining.
4. Narrative of Being “Figured Out”
Playoff losses have led some to claim that Giannis has been “figured out.” Teams like the Heat and Raptors (in 2019) built defensive walls to neutralise his drives, forcing him to operate outside his comfort zone. When Giannis struggles to score efficiently or turns the ball over under pressure, critics pounce, arguing that his predictable style makes him easier to game-plan against. The “washed” label creeps in when people suggest he hasn’t adapted to these challenges, relying on athleticism over skill to stay relevant. In fact we went over several teams that have a single player that can shut him down. And the bad news? More and more teams have a “Giannis killer” in their roster…
5. Age and Mileage Concerns
At 30, Giannis is hardly old, but his high-octane style—constant rim attacks, defensive hustle, and physical play—raises questions about wear and tear. He’s logged heavy minutes over his career, including deep playoff runs, and some speculate that his body may not hold up as it once did. If his athleticism dips even slightly, critics argue, his game could suffer dramatically, given its reliance on physical dominance. This fear of an early decline fuels the “washed” talk, especially when compared to peers like Jokić, who rely more on skill than athleticism.
6. Giannis’ impressive stats are made in easy games
It is a statistical fact. Giannis’ fans go on and on about his averages. But these fall off a cliff in harder games. This season the Bucks couldn’t win a single game against the top teams in the East. Worse still, Giannis may have scored a lot of points but his mid range evaporates and even his free throws are much much worse in high intensity games. Worse still, he seems to hog the ball even more under pressure.
Of course not. He is a dominant force in the regular season for many situations. The real question should be “is Giannis washed in the NBA in terms of actually making a difference in the playoffs?”
A persistent critique among fans, analysts, and even some players is that officiating tends to favor Giannis, overlooking violations that stem from his aggressive style and, some argue, a lack of refined skill in certain areas.
Giannis’s “Unique Playing Style”
To understand the officiating debate, we first need to unpack Giannis’s approach to the game. Unlike traditional superstars who rely on jump-shooting finesse (think Kevin Durant) or guard-like ball-handling (like Kyrie Irving), Giannis thrives on physicality. His game is built around bulldozing drives to the rim, leveraging his length and athleticism to finish through contact. He averages over 30 points per game in recent seasons, with a significant chunk coming from paint scoring and free throws—often 10-12 attempts per game.
This style, while undeniably effective, invites scrutiny. Critics argue that Giannis’s reliance on power over precision leads to violations that referees either miss or choose to ignore. And worse still, they try to justify it as some sort of “new” style, or “unique” approach. It just ain’t basketball.
The Traveling Debate
One of the loudest complaints about Giannis is his alleged traveling. Social media platforms frequently highlight clips of Giannis taking what appear to be extra steps during his drives. A typical sequence involves him gathering the ball mid-stride, taking two or three long steps, and then launching toward the rim. Per NBA rules, a player can take two steps after gathering the ball, but Giannis’s strides are so massive that they can look like more. Giannis does often travel any way you interpret the rules. But he hardly ever gets called for it.
For example, during a 2023 playoff game against the Miami Heat, a viral clip showed Giannis driving from the top of the key, appearing to take four steps before dunking. Fans cried foul, but no call was made. The reality is murkier: slow-motion replays often reveal that his gather step aligns with the rule, but the sheer length of his strides creates an optical illusion. Still, referees rarely call traveling on him, which fuels perceptions of leniency. Data from the NBA’s Last Two Minute (L2M) reports shows traveling calls are down league-wide—only 0.3 per game in clutch situations—suggesting this isn’t unique to Giannis but part of a broader officiating trend. Giannis travels obviously and in your face very often no matter how you choose to interpret a gather step. He palms the ball and all sorts of other rare violations because he never learnt how to handle the ball as a kid. He started late in life and just lacks the instincts.
Offensive Fouls and Physicality
Another sore point is Giannis’s physicality on offense. Critics argue he initiates contact as much as defenders do, yet he’s rarely called for offensive fouls. His signature Euro-step or shoulder-lowering drives often see him barreling into defenders, who end up on the floor while Giannis gets the and-one call. In the 2021 Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Deandre Ayton visibly struggled to defend Giannis without fouling out, while Giannis averaged 35.2 points and 11.4 free-throw attempts per game. It is plain dangerous and unsportsmanlike yet his fans see it as “dominance” instead of what it truly is: technical foul level lack of ability to change direction even if the defender is in a legal position.
Statistically, Giannis is called for offensive fouls sparingly—about 0.8 per game in the 2022-23 season, compared to 3.1 personal fouls drawn. Compare this to someone like Nikola Jokić, who averages 1.2 offensive fouls despite a less aggressive driving style. The disparity raises questions: Referees are obviously hesitant to penalise Giannis’s physicality because it’s his hallmark.
Some argue this reflects a skill gap. Unlike players with polished post moves or pull-up jumpers, Giannis leans heavily on momentum and strength. When finesse isn’t an option, contact becomes inevitable, and referees seem to give him the benefit of the doubt. Social media posts often highlight this, with users joking that Giannis’s “skill” is “running through people and getting away with it.”
Free-Throw Violations: A Technicality Overlooked?
A less discussed but notable issue is Giannis’s free-throw routine. NBA rules require shooters to attempt their free throw within 10 seconds of receiving the ball. Giannis routinely pushes this limit, often taking 12-14 seconds as he goes through an elaborate routine. In the 2021 playoffs, fans in Brooklyn famously counted down his routine, and referees began enforcing the rule sporadically, calling violations a handful of times.
Yet, league-wide, these calls remain rare. In the 2022-23 season, only 15 free-throw violations were called across all players, per NBA officiating logs. Giannis’s slow routine disrupts game flow, and critics see it as another area where referees cut him slack. While not a “skill” issue per se, it’s a technical violation that could be enforced more consistently.
Why the Perception of Favoritism?
So, why do fans and analysts feel Giannis gets preferential treatment? Several factors are at play:
Star Treatment: The NBA has long been criticized for giving superstars leeway. Giannis benefits from a reality where referees hesitate to call ticky-tack fouls that could derail a marquee player’s impact. Giannis, as a global icon, fits this mould.
Physicality Bias: The league’s shift toward freedom of movement has made referees more lenient on contact, especially for players like Giannis who thrive in the paint. L2M reports show that “no-calls” on physical plays are up 20% since 2018, reflecting a broader tolerance.
Skill vs. Athleticism Narrative: The critique that Giannis lacks “skill” is pervasive. His limited jump shot (29% from three in 2022-23) and reliance on drives feed a narrative that he’s a one-dimensional player who needs officiating help to dominate. This however is absolutely true. Giannis is a one trick pony and – worse still – he is predictable.
Highlight Culture: Social media amplifies scrutiny. Every missed call on Giannis becomes a viral clip, while similar no-calls for others (like Joel Embiid’s elbow-heavy post-ups) get less attention. Social media users often share side-by-side comparisons, like Giannis’s drives versus James Harden’s travels, to argue inconsistency.
Calling every potential violation would bog down games. If referees whistled every possible travel or offensive foul Gianniswould spend half the game on the bench. The NBA’s emphasis on flow benefits Giannis.
The Bigger Picture
The officiating debate around Giannis isn’t just about him—it’s about the NBA’s evolving standards. The league wants high-scoring, fast-paced games, and that means letting physicality slide more than in the hand-check era of the 1990s. Giannis, as a player who embodies this shift, becomes a lightning rod for criticism. His violations, real or perceived, aren’t unique; they’re amplified by his dominance and the spotlight he commands.
Does officiating “considerably help” Giannis?
The evidence suggests he benefits from leniency, particularly on travelling and offensive fouls. Are violations overlooked due to a “lack of skill”? That’s harsher—Giannis’s game prioritises athleticism over finesse, but that’s a choice, not a flaw. The truth lies in the gray area: He plays on the edge of the rules, and referees, like fans, are often too captivated to blow the whistle. The NBA has created the Giannis myth precisely by allowing him to break the rules consistently and officials are now used to it. In playoff situations this is for sure under greater scrutiny however. At 30 Giannis is not developing any new skills and has not become any more nuanced in his game. If anything he is worse, relying more than ever on rim finishes.
I expect this topic to come up more and more. On the one hand Giannis is less and less relevant to the NBA when it matters as he is no longer a playoff factor. Also teams have figured out how to neutralise him even with the officiating help he gets. But the difference between the Giannis myth and the hard reality is that he would not score half as much if the refs were officiating him properly.
So while having a great argument on Twitter, somebody threw this at me. It looks weird but I know Statmuse AI technology is not great at understanding all questions so I dug a bit deeper. First thought was maybe the “power forward” confused StatMuse. So I tried the same search only for “forward” and got a similar result. Straight to Nba.com website to check and be more specific.
As I suspected, it’s not even close. Giannis isn’t even on the first page of results. Giannis actually has 141 offensive rebounds this season. When asked correctly, StatMuse also shows you this:
The Peak of Giannis’ Offensive Rebounding Prowess
To understand the decline, we first need to revisit the peak. In his early years, Giannis was a rebounding machine on both ends of the floor. His offensive rebounding numbers hit their zenith during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, where he averaged 2.2 and 2.8 offensive rebounds per game (ORPG), respectively. These figures might not seem astronomical compared to traditional big men like Andre Drummond or Clint Capela, but for a player who often operated as a ball-handling forward, they were remarkable. Giannis’ ability to snatch offensive boards stemmed from his quickness off the floor, his uncanny knack for timing, and his sheer determination to outmuscle opponents.
Those offensive rebounds translated into easy putbacks, kick-outs to shooters, or trips to the free-throw line—crucial elements of the Bucks’ offense during their rise to contention. In the 2020-21 championship season, he still averaged a solid 1.6 ORPG, contributing to Milwaukee’s gritty, second-chance identity. At his best, Giannis was a one-man wrecking crew, turning misses into momentum.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, and the stats paint a different picture. Through the early part of this
season (as of April 5, 2025), Giannis’ offensive rebounding numbers have dipped noticeably. While exact stats fluctuate game to game, he’s hovering around 1.2-1.4 ORPG—a significant drop from his peak years. For context, that’s closer to what you’d expect from a perimeter-oriented forward like Jayson Tatum than a dominant interior presence like Giannis. The table here shows again in contested rebounds, the real ones that count, Giannis is again nowhere to be found.
This isn’t a one-year blip, either. The decline has been gradual but steady. In 2022-23, he averaged 1.7 ORPG, which slipped to 1.5 in 2023-24. Now, in 2024-25, the trend continues. While his overall rebounding numbers (defensive boards included) remain elite—often exceeding 11 or 12 per game—the offensive side of the glass has become less of a priority. So, what’s driving this shift?
Evolving Role and Team Dynamics
One explanation lies in Giannis’ evolving role within the Bucks’ system. Early in his career, he was a Swiss Army knife, doing a bit of everything—driving, posting up, and cleaning up misses. But as the Bucks refined their offence around his playmaking and scoring, his responsibilities shifted. With Damian Lardarius joining the team in 2023, Milwaukee leaned harder into a perimeter-oriented attack. Giannis spends more time initiating the offence, setting screens, or rolling to the rim rather than lurking for offensive rebounds.
This shift makes sense strategically. Why have your best player battling for boards when you can have him sprinting back in transition or setting up the next play? The Bucks’ coaching staff, under Doc Rivers since 2024, has emphasised pace and spacing. Giannis crashing the offensive glass might disrupt that flow, especially when teammates like Brook Lopez—a traditional centre – can handle rebounding duties.
Physical Toll and Prioritization
Offensive rebounding is gruelling—think constant jostling, elbowing, and leaping against bigger bodies. Giannis has logged heavy minutes throughout his career, including deep playoff runs, and his injury history (notably knee and ankle issues) might encourage a more selective approach. Why risk a tweak chasing a rebound when he’s already carrying the offence with 30+ points per game? The media and fans are so focused on the scoring, they don’t care it seems.
The Lopez Effect
Brook Lopez deserves a mention here. Since joining the Bucks in 2018, Lopez has been a fixture at center, and his presence alters Giannis’ rebounding opportunities. Lopez, a 7-footer, often stations himself near the rim, gobbling up offensive boards (averaging 1.5-2.0 ORPG in recent seasons). With Lopez in the paint, Giannis can roam the perimeter or attack downhill, but it also means fewer chances to snag those misses himself. The Bucks seem content letting Lopez handle the dirty work while Giannis focuses on higher-value plays.
Scheme and League Trends
The NBA itself has evolved, and offensive rebounding isn’t the priority it once was. Teams now value transition defence and three-point shooting over second-chance opportunities. The Bucks, with shooters like Lillard and Middleton, fit this mold. Why crash the glass when you can get back, set up, and launch a three? Giannis’ decline in ORPG mirrors a league-wide trend where bigs are asked to do less rebounding and more switching or spacing.
Is This a Problem?
His drop in offensive rebounding reflects a more sustainable approach to his game. He’s just doing it less, with stat padding more of a priority. That said, there’s a flip side. In tight playoff games, second-chance points can be the difference. Giannis’ reduced presence on the offensive glass might limit Milwaukee’s margin for error against physical teams who thrive on extra possessions. If the Bucks falter in crunch time, critics will point to this shift as a weakness.
While injuries are an inherent risk in a sport as physically demanding as basketball, a closer look suggests that Giannis himself may bear significant responsibility for his recurring ailments. His playing style, conditioning habits, and refusal to adapt could be the root causes of his body breaking down.
The Freight Train Approach: High Risk, High Reward
Giannis’ game is defined by unrelenting aggression. Nicknamed “The Greek Freak” for a reason, he barrels into the paint with little regard for the bodies in his way—his own included. His signature Eurostep covers half the court in two strides, and his dunks often come with enough force to rattle the rim and his joints alike. This style has made him a highlight machine for some fans, but it’s also a recipe for wear and tear.
Take, for instance, his tendency to land awkwardly after soaring for a dunk or contesting a shot. Unlike players who prioritise controlled landings—think LeBron James, who has mastered the art of preserving his body—Giannis often crashes to the floor with the subtlety of a freight train. His 2021 playoff hyper extension injury against the Atlanta Hawks, where he landed awkwardly after contesting a lob, is a prime example. While the contact itself wasn’t egregious, his momentum and lack of midair body control turned a routine play into a season-threatening scare. Miraculously, he returned to lead the Bucks to a championship, but the incident underscored a recurring theme: Giannis’ all-out style leaves little margin for error. He plays like a ten year old on a mission, no IQ involved.
A Body Built for Power, Not Finesse
Giannis’ physical makeup amplifies the risks of his approach. At over 240 pounds with a frame that’s still adding muscle, he’s a tank among NBA players. That mass, combined with his explosive speed, puts immense stress on his knees, ankles, and lower back. These are joints and muscles that bear the brunt of his nightly battles. Unlike smaller, more nimble players who can rely on finesse to avoid contact, Giannis thrives on physicality. He absorbs hits, initiates contact, and powers through defenders, often at the expense of his own body.
His game isn’t built on the kind of efficiency that preserves longevity. Compare him to Kevin Durant, another lanky superstar. Durant’s pull-up jumpers and mid range mastery allow him to score without constant paint punishment. Giannis, by contrast, has been slower to develop a reliable outside shot. His three-point percentage hovers around 29% for his career, so he still prefers bulldozing to the rim over settling for jumpers. That choice keeps defenders packing the paint, forcing Giannis into more collisions and increasing his injury risk.
Load Management? What’s That?
Another factor in Giannis’ injury woes is his disdain for rest. In an era where “load management” has become a buzzword, Giannis prides himself on playing through pain and logging heavy minutes. Even in garbage time of blowout wins he focuses on stat padding and plays on. He’s averaged over 32 minutes per game in every season since 2016-17, often pushing closer to 35 in the playoffs. For a player of his size and intensity, that’s a Herculean workload. The Bucks have tried to manage his minutes, but Giannis’ competitive fire often overrides caution. He’s been known to lobby to stay in games, even when nursing minor knocks that could benefit from a night off. Again , this is behaviour befitting a young child, not a pro athlete that cares about his body long term and his team’s prospects.
This warrior mentality is admirable to some, fans love it, but it’s also shortsighted. The human body, even one as freakish as Giannis’, has limits. Chronic issues like knee tendinopathy (a recurring problem for him) thrive on overuse. By refusing to pace himself, Giannis invites the kind of nagging injuries that have plagued him in recent years, like the hamstring strain that sidelined him briefly in the 2024 regular season or the calf issue that kept him out of the Bucks’ 2024 playoff opener.
Conditioning Questions
Then there’s the matter of conditioning. Giannis’ transformation from a wiry teenager to a chiseled behemoth is a testament to his work ethic, but has he overcorrected? Adding muscle mass enhances his dominance, but it also increases the load on his frame. Some analysts have speculated that his bulkier physique might contribute to reduced flexibility and quicker fatigue, making him more susceptible to strains and sprains. It most obviously is a problem for shooting. Without access to his training regimen, it’s hard to say definitively, but the visual evidence—Giannis labouring late in games more than he did in his early years—raises questions about whether his off-court preparation aligns with long-term durability.
The Counterargument: It’s Just Bad Luck
To be fair, not every injury can be pinned on Giannis. Basketball is a contact sport, and freak accidents happen. The 2021 knee hyperextension, for instance, involved an opponent’s movement that Giannis couldn’t fully anticipate. Similarly, his 2023 playoff back contusion came from a hard fall after a charge—an unavoidable hazard of the game. Critics might argue that blaming Giannis for his injuries ignores the role of chance and the physicality imposed by opponents eager to slow him down.
Yet even here, Giannis’ style amplifies the damage. Lesser players might avoid those high-risk plays altogether, opting for safer positioning or less aggressive drives. Giannis, by choosing to live in the chaos of the paint, invites the collisions that turn bad luck into something worse. And he lacks the fast basketball IQ to make the right instant decisions.
Time for a Change?
At 30 years old (as of December 2024), Giannis is at a crossroads. If he wants to sustain this level of excellence into his mid-30s—like his idol LeBron, who’s still thriving at 40 he will need to evolve. Developing a more reliable jumper could reduce his paint dependency. Embracing selective rest could preserve his body for the postseason. And refining his in-air awareness could minimise those crash landings.
Giannis’ injuries aren’t entirely his fault—no athlete can control every variable—but they’re not entirely out of his hands either. His relentless, physical, all-in approach is what makes him special, but it’s also what’s breaking him down. The Greek Freak has the talent to dominate for another decade, but only if he takes accountability for the toll his style exacts. Until then, the injury bug may remain a self-inflicted wound—one that threatens to derail his already faltering career.
The RotoWire Injury Report is a comprehensive resource provided by RotoWire, a leading platform for fantasy sports and sports betting information. It delivers up-to-date details on player injuries across various sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and more. The report categorizes injuries by team and position, offering insights into the status of affected players, such as whether they are day-to-day, questionable, or ruled out for upcoming games. It often includes expert analysis and commentary, highlighting the potential impact of injuries on fantasy sports lineups, betting odds, and team performance. Updated regularly, the RotoWire Injury Report serves as a vital tool for sports enthusiasts, fantasy players, and bettors seeking to make informed decisions based on the latest injury developments.
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When the game tightens up—when it’s the final minutes, the score’s close, and every possession counts—Giannis’s weaknesses can turn from minor quirks into glaring liabilities. Let me be specific:
Scenario 1: Down 2, 20 Seconds Left, Ball in Giannis’s Hands
Picture this: The Bucks are trailing by two points with 20 seconds on the clock. Giannis has the ball at the top of the key, the defence sagging off him, daring him to shoot. His career 28.6% from three-point range isn’t scaring anyone, and his mid range game isn’t a go-to weapon either (he shot 41.7% from 10-16 feet in 2023-24, per NBA.com). The opposing team knows he wants to drive, so they pack the paint, sending a double-team to clog his lane.
Here’s the problem: Giannis isn’t a natural pull-up shooter or a quick-trigger play maker. He might force a contested layup (where his 50% clutch field goal percentage from last season holds up decently), but if the help defence rotates, he’s left passing late to a teammate with no rhythm—think Brook Lopez bricking a rushed three. Worse, if he gets fouled on the drive, his 70.2% career free-throw clip (and 66.7% in clutch regular-season moments) isn’t a lock. A miss there, and the game’s over. His lack of a jump shot and shaky free throws make this a dicey spot. And all too often he takes the bait and either shoots a 3 or goes to the other side of the paint where he misses almost always.
Scenario 2: Tied Game, 10 Seconds Left, Inbound to Giannis
Now imagine a tie game, 10 seconds remaining, and the Bucks inbound to Giannis in the half-court. The defence knows Milwaukee wants him to attack the rim, so they build a wall—think Miami’s 2023 playoff strategy, where Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler funnelled him into traffic. Giannis’s Eurostep and spin moves are lethal in transition, but in a set defence with no runway, his options shrink.
His play making under pressure is a weak spot here. Giannis averaged 1.0 assist per clutch game in 2023-24, with a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio—not terrible, but not elite. He’s not LeBron, threading needles to open shooters, or Jokić, picking apart defences with surgical passes. If he can’t bulldoze his way to the rim (and at 40% in the 2023 playoffs, that’s no guarantee), he might cough up a turnover or settle for a low-percentage kick out. The clock ticks down, and the Bucks’ title hopes fade with it. All too often his passes are terrible, ie not where the receiver likes to catch it, thus reducing the chances of them scoring.
Scenario 3: Up 1, 30 Seconds Left, Giannis Gets Fouled
The Bucks are clinging to a one-point lead, 30 seconds to go, and Giannis gets hacked on a drive—his bread and butter, drawing 3.0 free-throw attempts per clutch game last season. This should be a golden opportunity: two shots to extend the lead to three, forcing the opponent to hit a tough bucket. But Giannis’s free-throw struggles turn this into a coin flip.
His 10-second routine at the line—complete with deep breaths and a slow wind-up—amps up the tension. In the 2023 playoffs, he shot 45.5% from the line in clutch moments, including a 1-for-4 dud in Game 4 against Miami that swung momentum. Miss both here, and the opponent gets the ball back with a chance to win. Even splitting the pair keeps it a one-possession game, inviting pressure on Milwaukee’s defence. For a player who lives at the line, this inconsistency is a dagger in crunch time. Clutch endings are a math calculation and Giannis is doing probably one of two free throws at best.
Scenario 4: Down 3, 5 Seconds Left, Giannis as the Decoy
Let’s flip the script: The Bucks are down three with five seconds left, and Damian Lillard is the primary option for a game-tying shot. Giannis sets a screen or lurks as a decoy, but the defence doesn’t bite. Why? They don’t fear his jumper. Teams can switch or sag off him, focusing their energy on Lillard. Giannis’s three-point shooting means he’s not a credible threat from deep, even in a catch-and-shoot spot. And he is one of the worse screeners in the NBA, he simply doesn’t understand angles and timing. He can’t sell it!
In the 2021 Finals, he hit a clutch three to tie Game 4 against Phoenix, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Without a reliable outside shot, Giannis can’t stretch the floor to create space for his teammates. The defence collapses, Lillard gets swarmed, and the Bucks’ season hangs on a prayer. Worse still the late pass and the way Giannis passes means the entire stadium knows ahead of time that Dame will have the ball and no clock left. Giannis’s gravity as a driver is immense, but in this specific late-game setup, his limitations shrink the playbook.
Finally, consider an overtime thriller, score within two points, one minute to go. Giannis has been a beast all game—say, 35 points and 15 rebounds—but he’s gassed. His motor is legendary, but clutch overtime minutes test even the fittest players. Here, his reliance on physicality over finesse catches up. Defences keep fouling him, knowing his free-throw percentage dips under fatigue (anecdotal, but his 2023 playoff clutch numbers suggest a trend).
If he’s not hitting free throws, the Bucks lose points they can’t afford. And if he’s too tired to explode past defenders, his lack of a pull-up game or off-the-dribble jumper leaves him stagnant. A turnover or a forced shot could seal Milwaukee’s fate, especially against a team with a closer like Kevin Durant or Jayson Tatum, who thrive in these wars of attrition. This is issue is made much worse by the fact that Giannis lacks the basketball IQ to know himself and he still demands the ball!
Why These Weaknesses Matter
Giannis’s clutch flaws—no jumper, shaky free throws, and average play making—aren’t fatal in isolation. He may still rarely dominate late games when the stars align (see: 2021 Finals Game 6, 50 points, title clinched). But in these specific situations, they expose cracks that savvy opponents exploit. Teams like the Heat or Celtics have the personnel—mobile bigs, smart wings, and physicality—to turn Giannis’s strengths into weaknesses when the clock’s ticking. Giannis does not seem to be able to think fast enough at a high level and it shows under pressure.
The Bucks have tried to mask this with Lillard’s arrival, but injuries and coaching adjustments haven’t solved the puzzle. Giannis is a liability in the broad sense and in these clutch moments, his game can falter just enough to tip the scales, or quite often he fails in a spectacular way with dumb turnovers and mistakes even a rookie would not make which leave everybody scratching their heads. After a decade in the NBA he seems worse than ever in high pressure situations.
Can He Fix It?
At 30, Giannis seems unable to evolve. A more consistent free-throw stroke (aim for 80%) and a workable mid range jumper could flip these scenarios in his favour. He’s shown flashes—41.7% from 10-16 feet last season is progress—but it’s not second nature yet. Until then, these clutch situations will remain his kryptonite, and the Bucks’ title hopes will hinge on how well they scheme around them.
The Numbers: What Do They Say?
Clutch time in the NBA is defined as the last five minutes of a game (including overtime) where the score is within five points. It’s the crucible where legacies are forged—or tarnished. So, how does Giannis stack up?
In the 2023-24 regular season, Giannis averaged 2.0 points per game in clutch situations, shooting 50% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line, according to NBA.com’s advanced stats. That field goal percentage is solid—better than many star players—but the free-throw number raises eyebrows. For a player who lives at the line (he attempted 3.0 free throws per clutch game), 66.7% isn’t elite. Compare that to someone like Damian Lillard, his Bucks co-star, who shot 92.3% from the line in clutch moments last season, and you see a gap.
Playoff clutch stats paint a starker picture. In the 2023 postseason, Giannis’s Bucks crashed out in the first round against the Miami Heat. In clutch situations across those five games, he shot 4-for-10 from the field (40%) and a dismal 5-for-11 from the line (45.5%). Small sample size, sure, but those misses loomed large—especially in Game 4, where he went 1-for-4 from the stripe in a tight loss.
Contrast this with the 2021 Finals, where Giannis was a monster. In Game 6 against the Suns, he dropped 50 points, including 17-for-19 from the free-throw line, sealing the Bucks’ first title in 50 years. Clutch? Absolutely. But that performance feels like an outlier when you zoom out across his career.
The Eye Test: Where Giannis Struggles
Stats only tell part of the story. Watching Giannis in clutch moments reveals a pattern that frustrates fans and analysts alike. His game, built on physical dominance and transition brilliance, doesn’t always translate to the half-court grind of late-game scenarios. Defences shrink the floor, pack the paint, and dare him to shoot—or foul him and test his free-throw stroke.
Take the 2024 playoffs as an example (assuming the Bucks made a run this year—let’s project based on trends). Giannis often finds himself with the ball at the top of the key, dribbling out the clock, only to force a contested drive or kick it out late to a teammate. His lack of a reliable jump shot—career 28.6% from three—means teams don’t respect him beyond the arc. They sag off, clogging his driving lanes and turning him into a predictable one-trick pony.
Then there’s the free-throw routine. Giannis’s 10-second wind-up at the line is a meme at this point, but it’s more than a punchline—it’s a liability. In clutch moments, every second counts, and his slow pace disrupts rhythm. Worse, his career 70.2% free-throw percentage drops under pressure, as we saw in 2023 against Miami. When the game’s tight, those misses aren’t just points left on the board—they’re momentum killers.
Verdict: Liability or Misunderstood Asset?
So, is Giannis a liability in clutch time? The answer isn’t black-and-white. He’s not a natural closer in the mould of a Damian Lillard or Steph Curry, and his limitations—free-throw woes, lack of a jumper, and occasional tunnel vision—can hurt in tight games. Defences have a blueprint to neutralise him, and he hasn’t consistently cracked it.
If Milwaukee wants to maximise Giannis in crunch time, they need to lean on Lillard’s shot-making and design sets that play to Giannis’s strengths—cuts, rolls, and transition—not his weaknesses. Until then, the Greek Freak will remain a polarising figure in the clutch debate
The 3-point shot has become the heartbeat of modern NBA basketball, revolutionizing strategy and elevating players like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard to legendary status. But for every sharpshooter, there’s a player whose struggles from beyond the arc become infamous. Whether due to poor shot selection, lack of range, or just an off year, some NBA seasons stand out for their abysmal 3-point percentages—especially when players take enough shots to make the numbers meaningful.
Defining “The Worst”: Setting the Ground Rules
To fairly assess the worst 3-point shooting seasons, we need a minimum threshold of attempts—otherwise, a player going 0-for-2 could claim the crown, which isn’t insightful. Historically, the NBA uses 82 made 3-pointers as a qualifier for the league lead in 3-point percentage (since 2013-14), but for the “worst” mark, a lower bar like 50 or 100 attempts ensures we’re looking at players who actually tried to shoot from deep, not just took a few errant heaves.
The Historical Bottom Feeders
John Salmons, 2009-10 Season (Chicago Bulls/Milwaukee Bucks) – 18.5% (20-for-108) John Salmons, a solid journeyman wing, had a career defined by versatility rather than shooting prowess. In the 2009-10 season, split between the Bulls and Bucks, he posted one of the lowest 3-point percentages ever for a player with over 100 attempts. At 18.5%, Salmons’ struggles were a mix of poor shot selection and a lack of natural touch from deep. His 108 attempts showed he was given the green light, but the results were disastrous. This mark stands as a benchmark for futility among players with a significant sample size.
DeMar DeRozan, 2018-19 Season (San Antonio Spurs) – 15.6% (7-for-45) DeRozan’s midrange mastery is well-documented, but his 3-point shooting has always been a weak spot. In 2018-19, his first year with the Spurs, he took a career-low 45 attempts from beyond the arc and made just 7, yielding a ghastly 15.6%. While this falls short of a 50-attempt minimum some might prefer, it’s notable for a star player and reflects his reluctance—and inability—to adapt to the 3-point-heavy era under Gregg Popovich’s system.
Josh Smith, 2007-08 Season (Atlanta Hawks) – 25.3% (38-for-150) Josh Smith was an athletic marvel—dunking, blocking shots, and soaring through the lane—but his 3-point shot was a liability. In 2007-08, he jacked up 150 triples and hit just 38, for a 25.3% clip. Smith’s insistence on shooting from deep, despite his clear limitations, made this one of the most inefficient high-volume seasons of its time. His career 28.5% from 3 underscores that this wasn’t a fluke; he just wasn’t built for it.
Antoine Walker, 2000-01 Season (Boston Celtics) – 25.6% (98-for-383) Antoine Walker loved the 3-pointer, perhaps too much. In 2000-01, he launched a staggering 383 attempts—massive volume for that era—and connected on only 98, resulting in a 25.6% success rate. Walker’s shoot-first mentality and willingness to fire away made him a pioneer of sorts, but his inefficiency at that volume lands him on this list. It’s a testament to both his confidence and his struggles adapting to a skill he never fully mastered.
Charles Barkley, 1995-96 Season (Phoenix Suns) – 28.0% (49-for-175) Yes, even Hall of Famers can flounder from deep. Barkley, known for his bruising post play and rebounding, took 175 3-point shots in 1995-96 and made just 49, for a 28.0% mark. While not as low as others percentage-wise, the volume and his reputation as a non-shooter make this season stand out. Barkley’s career 26.6% from 3 shows this was par for the course, but 175 attempts from a power forward in the mid-90s was bold—and often ugly.
Honorable Mentions
Russell Westbrook, 2015-16 Season (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 29.6% (71-for-240): Westbrook’s aggression extended to his 3-point shooting, often to his detriment. This season wasn’t his worst percentage-wise, but the volume and inefficiency foreshadowed his career-long inconsistency from deep (30.5% overall).
Giannis Antetokounmpo, 2015-16 Season (Milwaukee Bucks) – 17.1% (7-for-41): An early-career low point for Giannis, though the small sample size keeps it off the main list. It’s a reminder of how little he has improved, because this season he is heading to a similar percentage!
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024-25 Season: A Potential Contender?
Now, let’s turn to the Greek Freak. As of March 29, 2025, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024-25 season is shaping up as one of his worst from beyond the arc. Known for his dominance inside and in transition, Giannis has never been a reliable 3-point shooter—his career average sits at 28.6%—but this year, he’s plumbing new depths. Through roughly 60-65 games (assuming he’s played most of the Bucks’ schedule to date), he’s averaging around 1.7 to 2.2 3-point attempts per game, a decrease from his peak volume seasons (e.g., 4.7 attempts in 2022-23).
This dip isn’t entirely surprising. Giannis has trended toward fewer 3s under Doc Rivers, with only about 5-6% of his shots coming from deep this season, down from 13.8% two years ago. The Bucks’ strategy has leaned into his strengths—slashing, posting up, and drawing fouls—rather than forcing an outside game he’s never fully developed. Yet, if he maintains this pace and finishes with, say, 15-for-75 (20%) over 75 games, he’d join the ranks of the worst 3-point seasons for a star player with a decent sample size.
Could Giannis Crack the List?
To land among the all-time worst, Giannis would need to:
Increase his attempts: At his current rate (2 per game), he’d finish with around 150-160 attempts if he plays 80 games. If he stays at 20%, that’s 30-for-150—a mark that rivals Josh Smith’s 25.3% on similar volume.
Sustain the slump: His current 20-22% is bad, but not unprecedented for him (see 2015-16’s 17.1%). However, with more attempts, it could become historically notable.
Right now, he’s on pace to finish below Salmons’ 18.5% if he dips further, though his lower volume (likely under 100 attempts) might keep him off stricter lists. Still, for a two-time MVP and perennial All-NBA talent, a sub-22% season would be a glaring blemish, especially in an era where 3-point shooting is a prerequisite for many stars.
Why Giannis Struggles
Giannis’ 3-point woes stem from his mechanics and shot selection. His form—stiff, deliberate, and often rushed—lacks the fluidity of natural shooters. Defences sag off him, daring him to fire, as if he’s rarely taken enough reps to refine the skill. But we know he has. This season, his focus has shifted even more to the paint, to get easy stat padding buckets and average 30+ points per game. That’s all he seems to care about. 3-point struggles are a footnote and something he does out of frustration that more and more teams know how to shut him down in the paint.
The Verdict
Giannis’ 2024-25 season won’t topple Salmons or DeRozan for sheer futility unless he inexplicably ramps up his attempts and keeps missing. But if he finishes below 20% on, say, 80-100 attempts, he’d carve out a spot among the worst star-player 3-point seasons—think Barkley or early-career Westbrook territory. For now, he’s a cautionary tale of what happens when a superstar neglects the 3-point revolution. It is particularly entertaining when Giannis fans complain about Jokic and other bigs getting the limelight. Jokic is shooting better than ever in his career this year at an impressive 41.2%. Because that is what intelligent players do, they develop their game.
Giannis is regressing. His fans say “who cares?” well come trade time you will see who cares! Especially since his free throws are worse than ever too! It gets to the stage where the coach says “just don’t shoot 3s” and the opposing coaches in clutch say “just foul Giannis, we have an almost 1 in 2 chance he misses!”
There’s a narrative that’s been floating around lately that deserves a hard reality check: the idea that Giannis has a reliable mid-range game, especially when it matters most. Spoiler alert—he doesn’t. What we’ve been sold is a media myth, puffed up during a string of Milwaukee Bucks’ easy wins against overmatched opponents, and it crumbles under scrutiny when the stakes are high.
Above the official nba.com stats of mid range shots this season. In red the players with the best fg%. In green the worse, ie Giannis at any distance. Let’s start with the hype. During the 2020-21 season, when the Bucks marched to the title, Giannis’ mid-range jumper became a talking point. Pundits gushed over his “improved” shot, pointing to regular-season games where he’d knock down a few 15-footers against teams like the Wizards or Pistons—squads that were either tanking or just plain bad. The narrative took off: Giannis had evolved, adding a new weapon to his arsenal. But here’s the inconvenient truth: when the playoffs roll around and defences tighten up, that mid-range game vanishes faster than a mirage in the desert.
Take a look at the 2021 Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Giannis was phenomenal—50 points in the closeout Game 6 is the stuff of legend. But how many of those points came from the mid-range? A grand total of four, all from free throws or broken plays where he muscled his way into a shot. His bread and butter was what it’s always been: attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and living at the line (he shot 17-for-19 in that game). The mid-range? Non-existent when it counted. The Suns dared him to shoot from 10-15 feet, and he largely declined the invitation, opting instead to bulldoze his way inside.
This isn’t a one-off. Fast forward to the 2023 playoffs against the Miami Heat. The Bucks, the No. 1 seed, got bounced in five games by an eighth-seeded Heat team that sagged off Giannis and begged him to shoot. His mid-range attempts were sporadic at best, and when he did take them, the results were ugly—clanging off the rim or airballing entirely. Miami’s defense exposed the truth: Giannis’ mid-range isn’t a weapon; it’s a liability teams are happy to let him test. He finished that series with a measly 38.3% field goal percentage, a far cry from the efficiency he boasts against weaker regular-season foes.
The stats back this up. In the 2022-23 regular season, Giannis shot a respectable 47.3% from mid-range, per NBA.com. Sounds decent, right? Except that number drops precipitously in high-pressure playoff scenarios. Against top-tier defenses, his attempts shrink, and his makes plummet. Why? Because elite teams know he’s not comfortable there. They pack the paint, give him space, and live with the occasional make—because it’s not consistent enough to hurt them. The know the three spots he likes and they make him move off them. And he is so dumb he usually goes to the other side where he almost always misses.
So where did this myth come from? Easy: the Bucks’ regular-season cakewalks. When you’re blowing out the Hornets by 30, Giannis can take his time, set his feet, and splash a couple of jumpers. The media eats it up, clips go viral, and suddenly he’s “unstoppable from anywhere.” But against real competition—teams with playoff-level schemes and discipline—that shot disappears. It’s not a coincidence; it’s a pattern.
The table above is the total mid range shots this season. Again in red the best (ie Kevin Durant) and in green the worse, Giannis pretty near the worse for most distances. But more importantly, let’s count how many points that is. 0.6 from 5-9ft. 0.7 from 10-14ft. 1.5 at his favourite distance. And 0.1 further out. That is a grand total of 2.9 per game. To anyone that understands basketball that is essentially nothing. That has no impact. And it falls to 2.5 per game in losses. Oh you want his best year? Sure, here is the Bucks championship run year stats for shooting during the playoffs:
Giannis is a superstar, no question. But let’s stop pretending he’s morphed into Kevin Durant or Chris Paul from the elbow. The mid-range game is a nice story, a feel-good arc for a player who’s already great. But when the chips are down, it’s nowhere to be found. The Bucks’ title run wasn’t built on Giannis pulling up from 15 feet—it was built on him bulldozing through defences and the supporting cast stepping up to shoot the lights out. The sooner we ditch this media-spun fairy tale, the sooner we can appreciate Giannis for what he truly is a run and dunk guy with less and less applicability to the modern NBA when it counts.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar and two-time NBA MVP, is widely celebrated for his relentless work ethic, and inspiring journey from a street vendor in Greece to an NBA champion. Known as the “Greek Freak,” he’s often portrayed as a humble, likable figure—a family man with a contagious smile and a heartwarming story. But beneath the polished public persona, there have been moments that reveal a less flattering side of Giannis, including the infamous “Laddergate” incident in 2022. This event, paired with other glimpses of his behaviour, raises questions about whether Giannis can sometimes be, well, a pretty nasty person.
Is Giannis a nice person?
On November 18, 2022, after a tough loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, Giannis found himself at the centre of a viral controversy. Following the game, he returned to the court to practice free throws—a routine he’s known for, given his historically shaky performance from the line. But what unfolded next was anything but routine. Arena workers were setting up for post-game cleanup, and a ladder was positioned near the basket where Giannis wanted to shoot. Frustrated, Giannis approached the ladder and, in a moment of apparent irritation, shoved it over, nearly hitting a staff member in the process. The incident was caught on video and quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage and debate.
To some, it was a minor tantrum from a competitor upset after a loss (the Bucks fell 110-102, and Giannis had shot a dismal 4-for-15 from the free-throw line). To others, it was a disrespectful and entitled act toward hardworking arena staff just trying to do their jobs. The optics were undeniably bad: a multimillionaire athlete knocking over equipment in a fit of pique while minimum-wage workers scrambled to clean up after him.
Giannis later addressed the incident, claiming he felt disrespected by a Sixers staff member who had interrupted his shooting and that the ladder situation escalated from there. He apologized, sort of, saying he’d never intentionally disrespect anyone. But the damage was done. Posts on X at the time captured the public’s mixed reactions—some defended his passion, while others called him out for what they saw as arrogance.
A Pattern of Petulance?
Laddergate wasn’t an isolated incident when it comes to Giannis showing a fiery—or some might say nasty—side. On the court, he’s known for his intensity, which sometimes crosses into questionable territory. He’s been accused of overly physical play, like the 2020 headbutt on Moe Wagner that earned him an ejection, or the occasional elbow that opponents argue isn’t accidental. Off the court, his interactions can carry an edge too. For instance, during the 2021 playoffs, he famously taunted the Brooklyn Nets by counting down their elimination seconds after a Game 7 win, a move that rubbed some fans the wrong way.
More recently, in March 2025, Giannis’s Bucks have been struggling, and his demeanour has reflected that frustration. Reports of tense meetings with coach Doc Rivers and teammate Damian Lillard suggest a player under pressure, and while he’s praised for his leadership, there’s a flip side: a demanding personality that doesn’t always handle adversity with grace. His post-game comments can veer into passive-aggressive territory, like when he downplayed opponents or deflected blame after losses.
The Headbutt Heard ‘Round the League (2020)
One of the most blatant displays of Giannis’s temper came on August 11, 2020, during a game against the Washington Wizards. In the second quarter, Wizards forward Moe Wagner set a screen that Giannis didn’t appreciate—Wagner leaned in, and Giannis responded by charging at him and delivering a deliberate headbutt. The move was so out of character for the typically composed star that it stunned onlookers. Referees immediately ejected Giannis, and he was later suspended for one game by the NBA.
Giannis downplayed it afterward, calling it a “terrible action” and claiming he lost his cool in the heat of the moment. But the incident left a mark. Wagner, for his part, shrugged it off, saying he’d taken worse hits, but fans and analysts weren’t so forgiving. Posts on social media at the time labelled Giannis a “bully” and questioned whether his physicality sometimes crossed into dirty play. It was a rare, ugly glimpse of a player who prides himself on discipline losing control—and taking it out on an opponent in a way that felt personal.
The Nets Taunt in the 2021 Playoffs
During the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Giannis and the Bucks faced off against Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets in a gruelling seven-game series. The Bucks clinched it in overtime of Game 7, and as the final seconds ticked down, Giannis couldn’t resist rubbing it in. Standing at midcourt, he began counting down from 10, mocking the Nets’ elimination as their season slipped away. The Bucks crowd ate it up, but Nets fans—and some neutral observers—saw it as classless.
Sure, trash talk is part of sports, and Giannis’s antics weren’t exactly vicious. But the glee he took in taunting a beaten opponent, especially after a series where he’d been criticized for his free-throw struggles, struck some as unnecessarily nasty. Durant, ever the stoic, didn’t respond directly, but the moment added fuel to the narrative that Giannis relishes twisting the knife when he’s on top.
Shoving Jaylen Brown (2018)
Rewind to May 2018, during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. In Game 4, Giannis got tangled up with Celtics star Jaylen Brown under the basket. As Brown tried to box him out, Giannis responded with a hard shove that sent Brown sprawling to the floor. No foul was called, but the play didn’t go unnoticed. Brown later called it a “dirty play,” and while Giannis avoided any formal punishment, the incident fed into early perceptions of him as a player who could use his size and strength in ways that skirted the line.
At the time, Giannis was still establishing himself as a superstar, and some dismissed it as playoff intensity. But looking back, it’s part of a pattern: when challenged physically, Giannis doesn’t always back down—he pushes back, sometimes literally, and not always with finesse.
The Free-Throw Line Spat with Montrezl Harrell (2022)
Laddergate wasn’t the only drama from that November 2022 night in Philadelphia. Before the ladder incident, Giannis had a run-in with Sixers reserve Montrezl Harrell. After the game, Giannis returned to the court to work on his free throws, only to find Harrell there, refusing to let him shoot. Words were exchanged, and Harrell reportedly took the ball and walked off, escalating the tension. Giannis later vented about it in the press, saying Harrell “came at me” and implying he felt disrespected.
Harrell fired back on Twitter, calling Giannis out for acting entitled and suggesting he wasn’t as tough as he portrayed. The spat didn’t turn physical, but it showcased Giannis’s thin skin when challenged—something that carried over into the ladder shove minutes later. It’s not hard to see how his frustration with Harrell boiled over into a nastier confrontation with the arena staff.
Post-Game Snubs and Passive-Aggressive Jabs
Giannis’s nasty side isn’t always physical—it can show up in his words and demeanour too. After a 2023 playoff loss to the Miami Heat, where the Bucks were upset in five games, Giannis bristled at a reporter’s question about whether the season was a failure. His response—“There’s no failure in sports… Do you get a promotion every year at your job?”—went viral, but it also carried a condescending edge that rubbed some the wrong way. He’s also been known to skip handshakes after losses, like against the Heat in that series, leaving opponents hanging in a move that’s subtle but pointed.
More recently, in the 2024-2025 season, as the Bucks have struggled under Doc Rivers, Giannis has dropped passive-aggressive hints in press conferences. After a March 2025 loss to the Celtics, he remarked, “Some guys gotta step up,” a not-so-veiled shot at teammates like Damian Lillard. While he’s not wrong to demand more, his delivery can come off as petulant rather than inspiring.
The Complexity of Giannis
To be fair, Giannis isn’t a villain. His backstory—growing up in poverty, sharing a single pair of shoes with his brothers, and facing racism as an immigrant in Greece—makes his rise to stardom genuinely admirable. He’s also shown kindness, like his work with the Milwaukee community or his playful interactions with fans. But the Laddergate incident and other moments hint at a temper and ego that don’t always align with the “good guy” narrative the NBA loves to promote.
Maybe it’s not that Giannis is inherently nasty, but that he’s human—flawed, emotional, and occasionally prickly under the weight of immense expectations. The ladder shove wasn’t a calculated act of malice; it was a spontaneous outburst from a guy who hates losing and sometimes lets that get the better of him. Still, it’s hard to excuse the disregard for the workers caught in the crossfire, and it’s those kinds of actions that stick in people’s minds. Maybe Giannis is nasty when he loses , which is human, but due to his low basketball IQ and social awkwardness he doesn’t even know how to react.
What It Means Moving Forward
As of March 28, 2025, Giannis remains a dominant force in the NBA, averaging over 30 points per game and chasing another title with the Bucks. His personal life is thriving too—he and his wife, Mariah Riddlesprigger, are expecting their fourth child. But incidents like Laddergate linger as reminders that even the most beloved athletes have their rough edges. For every highlight reel dunk or heartwarming quote, there’s a chance for a misstep that reveals a less polished side. As his performance dips and he is getting worse at a lot of things (worse free throw percentage in his career, worse 3point percentage in NBA history for a single season this year, etc) he most obviously can’t handle things psychologically.
Fans and critics alike will keep watching Giannis, not just for his jaw-dropping play but for how he handles the spotlight. Can he channel that intensity without letting it spill over into moments of nastiness? Only time will tell. For now, Laddergate stands as a cautionary tale of what happens when passion tips into petulance.
As of March 26, 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves at a pivotal moment in their season. The devastating news of Damian Lillard’s season-ending injury has sent shockwaves through the organisation and its fan base. Lillard, the seven-time All-Star and dynamic point guard acquired to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, was a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s championship aspirations. With his absence confirmed for the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season and postseason, the Bucks must now pivot, relying on their roster depth and strategic adjustments to remain competitive in a stacked Eastern Conference.
The Impact of Lillard’s Absence
Through March 2025, Lillard has been a vital offensive engine, averaging around 25 points and 7 assists per game (based on his historical performance and current season trends). His ability to create his own shot, stretch defences with deep three-point shooting, and facilitate for teammates like Antetokounmpo made him indispensable. Without him, the Bucks lose not only a primary scorer but also a playmaker who alleviates pressure from Giannis, who often faces double- and triple-teams.
The Bucks’ current record, hovering around 40-30 (extrapolated from mid-season updates), places them in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. With roughly 12 games left in the regular season, Milwaukee must maximise their remaining roster to secure a playoff spot and make a postseason run.
Option 1: Elevating Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Primary Ball-Handler
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and perennial All-NBA talent, becomes the unquestioned focal point without Lillard. Shifting him into a point-forward role could unlock new dimensions for the Bucks’ offence.
Lineup Adjustment: Giannis at the “1,” with AJ Green or Gary Trent Jr. at shooting guard, Taurean Prince at small forward, Kyle Kuzma at power forward, and Brook Lopez at center.
Pros: Giannis handling the ball maximises his ability to attack downhill, collapse defences, and kick out to shooters. Green and Trent Jr. provide spacing with their three-point shooting (both above 38% this season), while Kuzma adds secondary scoring. Lopez remains a rim-protecting anchor who can also step out for occasional threes.
Cons: Giannis isn’t a natural point guard. His ball-handling can be turnover-prone against aggressive defenses, and his lack of a consistent outside shot limits spacing when he’s the primary initiator. Fatigue could also become an issue as he takes on an even larger load.
This option leans heavily on Giannis’ but it requires the supporting cast to step up defensively and offensively to compensate for Lillard’s absence.
Option 2: Committee Approach at Point Guard
Without a true backup point guard behind Lillard, the Bucks could turn to a by-committee approach, utilizing Kevin Porter Jr., and Ryan Rollins to share ball-handling duties. Porter Jr., acquired at the trade deadline, brings scoring flair. Rollins, on a two-way contract, is a wild card with limited NBA experience.
Lineup Adjustment: Porter Jr. at point guard, Gary Trent Jr. at shooting guard, Kuzma at small forward, Antetokounmpo at power forward, and Lopez at center.
Pros: Porter Jr. has shown flashes of brilliance this season, averaging around 15 points off the bench since joining Milwaukee. His ability to create shots could partially fill Lillard’s scoring void. This approach keeps Giannis in his natural forward role, preserving his energy for scoring and rebounding.
Cons: Porter Jr. cannot replicate Lillard’s elite playmaking or shooting (Porter’s three-point percentage hovers around 35%,). Rollins is unproven and unlikely to handle significant minutes in a playoff setting. The offense could stagnate without a true floor general.
This strategy spreads the burden but risks inconsistency, especially against top-tier opponents.
Option 3: Small-Ball Versatility with Kuzma and Prince
The trade deadline acquisition of Kyle Kuzma gives the Bucks a versatile forward who can score in bunches (despite his efficiency struggles this season at 42% from the field). Pairing him with Taurean Prince in a small-ball lineup could prioritize speed, shooting, and defensive flexibility.
Lineup Adjustment: Trent Jr. at shooting guard, Prince at small forward, Kuzma at power forward, and Antetokounmpo at “center.”
Pros: This lineup maximizes perimeter threats—Prince and Trent Jr. are knockdown shooters (both over 40% from three in limited roles), while Kuzma can attack mismatches. Giannis at center. Defensively, this unit can switch everything, disrupting opponents’ rhythm.
Cons: Rebounding suffers without Lopez, and Giannis will get worn down guarding traditional centres in a playoff series. Kuzma’s cold shooting (28% from three this year) could clog the offence if he doesn’t heat up.
Small-ball offers a high-risk, high-reward approach, ideal for short bursts or specific matchups but potentially unsustainable over a full game or series.
Key Contributors Off the Bench
The Bucks’ bench will be crucial in filling the void. Here’s who needs to step up:
Bobby Portis: Currently suspended (as of mid-March reports), Portis returns in early April. His energy, scoring (around 14 points per game), and rebounding off the bench are vital. He could even slide into the starting lineup if Lopez struggles.
Pat Connaughton: Sidelined with a calf injury, his return adds a reliable three-point shooter (37% career) and hustle player.
AJ Green: The young guard has emerged as a sharpshooter (over 40% from three), offering spacing critical to any offence.
Andre Jackson Jr.: His athleticism and defense could earn him more minutes, though his offense remains raw.
Strategic Adjustments Under Doc Rivers
Coach Doc Rivers must adapt his system without Lillard. Expect these shifts:
Increased Pace: Milwaukee ranks middle-of-the-pack in pace this season. Pushing the tempo with Giannis leading fast breaks could exploit transition opportunities.
Simplified Offense: More pick-and-rolls with Giannis as the screener or ball-handler, paired with shooters spotting up, could keep the offense flowing.
Defensive Focus: Without Lillard’s offensive firepower, the Bucks must lock in defensively. Lopez and Jackson Jr. anchor the paint, while Trent Jr..
Playoff Outlook
A first-round upset isn’t out of the question, but a deep run seems improbable without Lillard’s clutch scoring. Giannis has nothing in clutch but insists on being a liability by being on the floor.
Looking Ahead
Lillard’s injury, while a blow to 2025, isn’t the end of Milwaukee’s contention window. He’s under contract through 2026-27 (with a player option), and at 34, he could return refreshed next season. The Bucks’ lack of draft picks (traded away in the Lillard deal) limits their ability to retool, but Giannis’ presence ensures they remain in the mix.
For now, the Bucks must rally around their Greek Freak, lean on their depth, and hope their role players rise to the occasion. It’s not the season they envisioned, but it’s far from over. Milwaukee’s resilience will define their 2025 story.
Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Not a Viable Option as the Primary Ball-Handler for the Bucks
Giannis is ill-suited to serve as the primary ball-handler and the specific issues his ball-handling creates.
Lack of Elite Ball-Handling Skills
Giannis, at 6’11” and 243 pounds, is a physical marvel, but his ball-handling doesn’t match the finesse of traditional point guards—or even modern combo guards like Lillard. His dribbling is functional for a big man but lacks the tightness and creativity needed to consistently break down perimeter defenders. Defenses often exploit this by pressuring him full-court or sending aggressive double-teams, knowing he’s prone to losing control under duress.
Evidence: This season, Giannis averages around 3.2 turnovers per game (consistent with his career trends), with many stemming from sloppy dribbling or telegraphed moves. Against quicker guards like Jalen Brunson or Donovan Mitchell, his handle becomes a liability, leading to strips or forced passes.
Problem: As the primary ball-handler, he’d face this pressure constantly, increasing turnovers and disrupting offensive flow. The Bucks’ half-court execution would suffer as opponents clog driving lanes and dare him to create under pressure.
Limited Outside Shooting Threat
Giannis’ lack of a reliable jump shot is perhaps the most glaring issue when he’s handling the ball. While he’s improved marginally from beyond the arc (around 29% this season on low volume), he remains a non-threat from three-point range. Defenses sag off him, clogging the paint and neutralizing his driving ability—the cornerstone of his offensive game.
Evidence: Teams like the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have historically used “wall” defenses, packing the paint and inviting Giannis to shoot. In 2024-25, opponents continue this strategy, with his three-point attempts often resulting in bricks or hesitations that stall the offense.
Problem: As the primary initiator, Giannis can’t stretch the floor like Lillard, who commands respect from 30 feet out. This compresses spacing, making it harder for teammates like Gary Trent Jr. or AJ Green to get open looks. The Bucks’ offense becomes predictable and easier to scheme against, especially in playoff settings where adjustments are razor-sharp.
Decision-Making Under Pressure
While Giannis has grown in age, his decision-making lags behind elite point guards. He excels at kicking out to shooters after drawing help or finding cutters in transition, but in the half-court, his reads can be slow or overly simplistic. He often forces drives into crowded lanes rather than manipulating defences with patience or misdirection.
Evidence: In clutch situations this season, Giannis has occasionally deferred to Lillard or Brook Lopez for creation, highlighting his discomfort running intricate sets. His assist-to-turnover ratio (roughly 2:1) pales in comparison to Lillard’s (closer to 3:1), reflecting less precision as a distributor.
Problem: As the primary ball-handler, Giannis would bear the brunt of late-game execution, where his tendency to barrel into traffic or settle for contested mid-range shots could cost the Bucks winnable games. Opponents would blitz him, trusting he’ll either turn it over or take a low-percentage shot.
Defensive Exploitation and Fatigue
Sliding him to point guard increases his offensive workload, forcing him to bring the ball up, fight through screens, and orchestrate every possession. This added responsibility could sap his energy, diminishing his two-way impact.
Evidence: In games where Giannis logs heavy minutes (38+), his fourth-quarter efficiency dips—field goal percentage drops from 58% to around 52%, per recent trends. Against teams like the Celtics, who employ relentless guard play from Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, he’d be tested relentlessly.
Problem: Fatigue would compromise his defensive tenacity, leaving the Bucks vulnerable to backcourt scoring. Offensively, a tired Giannis is less explosive, reducing his ability to finish over length or recover from early-game wear. The Bucks can’t afford a diminished Giannis on either end.
Disruption of Team Chemistry and Roles
Shooters like Trent Jr. and Green rely on Giannis drawing attention in the paint, not standing at the top of the key. Bigs like Lopez and Bobby Portis lose post-up opportunities if Giannis clogs the lane with dribble drives.
Evidence: In past experiments (e.g., 2020-21 playoffs sans injured guards), Giannis-as-point-guard lineups saw a drop in team three-point percentage as spacing evaporated. Role players hesitated, unsure of their spots in a Giannis-centric offense.
Problem: Teammates become spectators rather than active participants, reducing the Bucks’ versatility. Kyle Kuzma, for instance, thrives as a secondary creator, not a spot-up shooter waiting for Giannis to kick out. The offense devolves into “your turn, my turn” rather than a cohesive unit.
Playoff Magnification of Flaws
In the postseason, every weakness is magnified. Giannis’ ball-handling struggles would be a prime target for elite coaches like Erik Spoelstra or Nick Nurse. Teams would trap him at half-court, force him to pass into tight windows, and live with his jumpers. His 66% free-throw shooting this season (career norm) also invites late-game fouling, a strategy less effective against Lillard’s 90% clip.
Evidence: The 2021 Finals saw Giannis dominate as a finisher and secondary creator, not a point guard. When he’s overextended as the lead initiator (e.g., 2023 vs. Miami), the Bucks falter, losing rhythm and composure.
Problem: A Giannis-led offense lacks the sophistication to counter playoff adjustments. Without Lillard’s pull-up threat or pick-and-roll mastery, Milwaukee risks early exits against battle-tested foes.
Conclusion
Giannis as the primary ball-handler is a recipe for dysfunction. His shaky handle, non-existent outside shot, and questionable decision-making under pressure create turnovers, spacing issues, and defensive vulnerabilities. The physical toll would erode his two-way dominance, while teammates would struggle to adapt to a Giannis-centric system. For the Bucks to survive Lillard’s absence, they’re better off leaning on a committee of guards (Porter Jr.for small-ball creativity—anything but forcing their Greek Freak into a role he’s not built to play.
Giannis is a hammer, not a scalpel, and Milwaukee must wield him accordingly.
Despite his on-court brilliance, Giannis is a terrible team leader. His shortcomings in this area have held the Milwaukee Bucks back from consistent greatness and cast doubt on his ability to elevate those around him. One to five, here are my points:
1. Over-Reliance on Individual Heroics
Giannis’s game is built on his ability to take over. Whether it’s bulldozing through defenders for a dunk or swatting shots into the stands, he thrives as a one-man wrecking crew. That’s fantastic when it works—like in the 2021 Finals, where he dropped 50 points in Game 6 to clinch the title. But leadership isn’t about solo performances; it’s about making your teammates better. Too often, Giannis leans on his own brilliance instead of fostering a cohesive team dynamic.
Take the 2022-23 season, for example. The Bucks, despite having the league’s best regular-season record, flamed out in the first round against the Miami Heat. Giannis missed two games with a back injury, and without him, the team looked lost. A true leader builds a squad that can function—even excel—when they’re sidelined. Compare this to someone like LeBron James, who has consistently elevated role players into key contributors, or Chris Paul, whose teams always seem to hum with precision. Giannis’s Bucks, by contrast, collapse without his physical presence, exposing a lack of trust or preparation in his supporting cast.
2. Emotional Volatility Undermines Stability
Leadership requires composure, especially in high-pressure situations. Giannis, however, has a tendency to let his emotions get the better of him. His sideline outbursts—yelling at coaches, slamming water bottles, or glaring at teammates—might fire him up, but they don’t inspire confidence in the locker room. During the 2023 playoffs, footage surfaced of Giannis snapping at teammates during a timeout against Miami. While passion is admirable, uncontrolled frustration signals a lack of poise that teammates can’t rally behind.
Contrast this with someone like Tim Duncan, whose quiet intensity steadied the Spurs for two decades, or even Steph Curry, who keeps Golden State grounded with a calm demeanor. Giannis’s emotional swings create a rollercoaster atmosphere, leaving the Bucks vulnerable when discipline and unity are most needed. A leader sets the tone; Giannis’s tone too often feels like chaos.
3. Failure to Elevate Teammates
A hallmark of great leaders is their ability to unlock hidden potential in others. Think of how Steve Nash turned the Phoenix Suns into a fast-paced juggernaut or how Nikola Jokić makes every Denver Nuggets player look like a star. Giannis, for all his dominance, hasn’t shown this knack. Players like Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton have thrived alongside him, but their success feels more like a product of their own talent than Giannis’s influence. Role players like Pat Connaughton or Grayson Allen rarely take noticeable leaps under his stewardship.
Look at Jrue Holiday, a key piece of the 2021 championship run. Holiday’s brilliance as a two-way guard was already established before joining Milwaukee—he didn’t need Giannis to shine. Meanwhile, younger players like Donte DiVincenzo or Jordan Nwora stagnated in Milwaukee, only finding their stride after leaving. A true leader mentors and develops talent; Giannis seems content to let his teammates figure it out while he barrels toward the rim.
4. Questionable Decision-Making in Clutch Moments
The Bucks’ postseason struggles often boil down to Giannis’s choices—or lack thereof—when it matters most. His free-throw struggles (career 70% shooter, often worse in playoffs) are well-documented, but it’s his reluctance to adapt that’s more damning. Opponents like the Heat and Raptors have famously built “walls” in the paint, daring him to shoot from outside. Instead of trusting shooters like Middleton or Lopez, Giannis repeatedly forces drives into traffic, resulting in turnovers or missed shots.
In Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston, Giannis went 10-for-26 from the field, including 1-for-4 from three, as the Bucks lost by 28. A leader recognizes when the game plan isn’t working and adjusts—whether that’s deferring to a hot hand or demanding better execution. Giannis’s tunnel vision in these moments reflects a stubbornness that drags the team down.
5. The “No Failure” Debacle
Perhaps the most telling moment of Giannis’s leadership deficiency came after the 2023 playoff loss to Miami. In a post-game press conference, he famously bristled at a question about whether the season was a failure, saying, “There’s no failure in sports… You don’t go to work every day hoping you have a bad day.” It was a viral soundbite, lauded by some as philosophical wisdom. But peel back the layers, and it’s a dodge—a refusal to own the team’s shortcomings.
Great leaders take accountability. When the Heat upset the top-seeded Bucks, Giannis could’ve said, “I need to be better for this team,” or “We let ourselves down.” Instead, he deflected, essentially absolving himself and the squad of responsibility. That’s not leadership; it’s self-preservation. Michael Jordan never shied away from calling out his own failures—or his teammates’—and it fueled championship runs. Giannis’s rosy outlook might keep him sane, but it doesn’t push a team to grow.
Conclusion: Talent Isn’t Leadership
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a generational talent, a player who can carry a franchise to a title through sheer force of will. But leadership is a different beast—one that requires vision, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire beyond your own stat line. Giannis’s Bucks have one ring, yes, but their inconsistency—early playoff exits in 2020, 2022, 2023, and a shaky 2024-25 season so far—suggests a ceiling. Until he learns to lead as effectively as he dominates, Milwaukee will remain a team tethered to his individual brilliance rather than a dynasty built on collective strength.
The Greek Freak use to be a king on the court, but as a team leader? He’s got a long way to go.
To appreciate the fourth-quarter letdown, we need context. The Bucks trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, with Sacramento’s fast-paced attack—led by De’Aaron Fox and a depleted but scrappy Kings roster—exploiting Milwaukee’s thin lineup. Giannis, battling right patella tendinopathy and visibly less than 100%, turned the tide in the third quarter. He erupted for 22 points in that frame alone, slashing to the rim, bullying defenders, and cutting the Kings’ lead to just 3 heading into the final period. It was vintage Giannis: unstoppable, relentless, and the sole reason Milwaukee had a pulse. It was actually quite funny as the same people who were saying “oh, it’s the injury” in the first half were beating each other with superlatives! Social media buzzed with praise.On paper, it was shaping up to be another signature Giannis takeover. Then the fourth quarter happened.
With the Bucks down 3 entering the final 12 minutes, Giannis briefly sat as Milwaukee’s supporting cast—Kevin Porter Jr., Brook Lopez, and company—opened the quarter with a 7-0 run to seize a 4-point lead. Giannis re-entered with momentum on his side, but what followed was a masterclass in late-game inefficiency.
In the fourth, Giannis was his usual self, missing free throws. In a 6-point game where every possession mattered. His lone make was a layup. After that? Silence. He watched as Sacramento’s defence sagged off him, daring him to shoot or pass. Here is the play by play as per NBA.com official stats:
5.50 SUB: Antetokounmpo FOR Lopez, Bucks ahead 104-100
3:05 Antetokounmpo Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover
1:05 MISS Antetokounmpo 5′ Driving Floating Jump Shot
0:24 Antetokounmpo S.FOUL
0:20 Antetokounmpo Free Throw 1 of 2 (32 PTS)
The Bucks won despite Giannis, not because of him. Milwaukee’s bench and role players held a +7 advantage to start the quarter, and Lopez’s timely blocks (he finished with 3) plus Porter Jr.’s 18 points off the bench sealed the deal. Giannis’ plus-minus in the fourth was a team-worst -2, a stark contrast to his +15 for the game, underscoring how the Bucks thrived when he wasn’t the focal point late.
Why It Went Wrong
Giannis’ fourth-quarter struggles against the Kings weren’t an anomaly—they’re a microcosm of his well-documented late-game issues. Here’s what went awry:
Free-Throw Nightmares Giannis went 8-for-13 from the line overall, but his 0-for-3 in the fourth was inexcusable. Sacramento, lacking Domantas Sabonis’ rim protection, resorted to fouling Giannis to slow him down. His misses—airballs and bricks alike—killed momentum and gave the Kings life in a game they had no business staying in. For a player averaging 30.2 points on 59.9% shooting this season, his 68-70% career free-throw clip remains a glaring liability.
No Perimeter Threat The Kings packed the paint, daring Giannis to step outside his comfort zone. He obliged with a missed jumper and hesitated on open looks, allowing Sacramento to collapse without consequence. His 31% three-point shooting this season didn’t inspire confidence, and it showed—he didn’t even attempt a triple in the fourth.
Fatigue and Injury Playing 35 minutes on a gimpy knee, Giannis looked gassed. His drives lacked their usual explosiveness, and his decision-making faltered. A turnover late in the quarter—a sloppy pass under pressure—nearly swung the game back to Sacramento. Posts on X noted he was “clearly less than 100%,” yet the Bucks leaned on him heavily, amplifying his fatigue.
Defensive Attention Sacramento keyed in on Giannis, double-teaming him on drives and forcing him to defer. Without Lillard or Portis to draw attention, he faced a wall of bodies and couldn’t adjust. His 1 assist in the fourth pales next to his 6.0 season average, highlighting how the Kings neutralized his playmaking.
The Eye Test: Frustration Mounts
Watching the fourth unfold, Giannis’ frustration was palpable. After missing his first free throw, he shook his head, muttering to himself. A botched drive led to a pleading gesture toward the refs for a foul that never came. On defense, he nabbed 2 steals and a block for the game, but in the fourth, his effort waned—Fox blew by him for a layup that cut the lead to 4 with 3:12 left. The Bucks survived, but Giannis’ body language screamed exhaustion and irritation, a far cry from the third-quarter titan who’d dominated.
Does It Matter?
In isolation, this was one bad quarter in a win—hardly a death knell for Giannis’ season (30.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists). He’s 6-1 against the Kings in his last seven matchups, averaging 35.0 points, and last night’s 32-point, 17-rebound effort was heroic given the circumstances. Bucks fans hailed it as “a tough win,” crediting his overall impact.
But the pattern persists. Giannis’ career fourth-quarter playoff numbers (5.8 points, 44% shooting) and clutch-time inefficiencies (sub-50% true shooting) echo last night’s meltdown. Against a Kings team missing Sabonis and ripe for the taking, his late-game fade could’ve been fatal against stronger foes like Boston or Denver. With Milwaukee at 39-30 and clinging to the East’s 5th seed, these lapses raise questions about his reliability when the stakes rise.
Giannis didn’t lose the game—he just didn’t win it. The Bucks’ depth bailed him out, but as the playoffs loom, he’ll need to fix these flaws. A mid-range jumper, a quicker free-throw routine, or simply better stamina could turn these off nights into clutch heroics. At 30, he’s still in his prime, and his 2021 Finals Game 6 (17 fourth-quarter points) proves he can deliver.
Last night, Giannis was a titan for three quarters and a ghost in the fourth. It wasn’t a disaster, but it was bad enough to remind us: even the Greek Freak isn’t invincible when the clock winds down. Bucks fans can only hope he saves his best for when it matters most—because against the Kings, he left them sweating bullets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Fourth-Quarter Struggles: A Deep Dive
To understand Giannis’ fourth-quarter woes, let’s start with the data. While his overall stat lines are jaw-dropping—averaging around 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in recent seasons—his production tends to dip when the game is on the line. According to NBA.com stats for the 2024-2025 season (as of March 22, 2025), Giannis averages just 6.1 points in the fourth quarter on 48.2% field goal shooting, a noticeable drop from his full-game efficiency, which hovers around 55-57%. His free-throw percentage, already a career-long Achilles’ heel at 68-70%, plummets to 62% in the final frame.
In clutch situations—defined as the last five minutes of a game with the score within five points—his numbers are even more telling. Giannis’ usage rate remains sky-high (often exceeding 35%), but his true shooting percentage dips below 50%, and his turnovers spike to an average of 1.2 per clutch game. Compare this to peers like Nikola Jokić (58% true shooting in the clutch) or Kevin Durant (consistently above 60%), and the gap becomes apparent.
Perhaps most glaring is his playoff performance. During the Bucks’ 2024 playoff run, Giannis averaged 5.8 points in the fourth quarter on 44% shooting, with a free-throw percentage of 59%. In elimination games, those numbers shrink further, amplifying the perception that he shrinks when it matters most.
Memorable Meltdowns
Stats only tell part of the story. Giannis’ fourth-quarter struggles have produced some high-profile stinkers that fuel the narrative:
2023 Playoffs vs. Miami Heat: In Game 4 of the first-round upset, Giannis went 1-for-5 in the fourth quarter, missing key free throws and turning the ball over twice in the final three minutes. The Bucks lost, and the Heat went on to eliminate them.
2024 Finals Hopes Dashed: In a January 2025 showdown against the Celtics, Giannis scored just 4 points in the fourth on 2-for-7 shooting, as Boston pulled away with a 12-0 run to seal the game.
Clutch Free-Throw Fiascos: Against the 76ers in February 2025, Giannis missed 4 of 6 free throws in the final two minutes, turning a one-point lead into a three-point loss.
These moments stick in fans’ minds, overshadowing his otherwise dominant play.
Does It Matter?
Critics argue that Giannis’ fourth-quarter struggles undermine his status as an all-time great. After all, legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant were defined by their ability to take over games late. He’s not incapable of clutch heroics; he’s just inconsistent. And maybe he can’t do it anymore since the league has figured him out and he has not developed counters.
The Greek Freak’s legacy isn’t defined by his fourth-quarter woes yet. At 30 years old, he has time to evolve. If he can address these flaws, the narrative will shift from “Giannis disappears late” to “Giannis conquered his demons.” Until then, Bucks fans will hold their breath every time the clock ticks down—and hope their superstar proves the doubters wrong.
Despite his extraordinary physical skills and all the rumours claiming the Warriors want him, Giannis would struggle to fit into the Golden State Warriors’ system—a system built on high basketball IQ, fluid motion, and selfless play. In contrast, Jimmy Butler, who has seamlessly integrated into the Warriors’ rotations, exemplifies the kind of player who thrives in Golden State’s cerebral, team-oriented style. If Giannis had very few chances to be invited to San Fran before, now he has zero.
The Warriors’ System: A Symphony of IQ and Precision
The Warriors’ dynasty, under Steve Kerr, has been defined by a motion offense that prioritizes spacing, off-ball movement, and split-second decision-making. Players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green have thrived because they possess elite basketball IQs—understanding when to cut, when to screen, and when to pass without hesitation. This system demands players who can read defenses, anticipate plays, and contribute to a collective rhythm rather than relying solely on individual dominance.
Giannis, for all his gifts, doesn’t align with this philosophy. His game is predicated on bulldozing through defenses with his 6’11” frame, freakish athleticism, and Eurostep-driven drives. While effective in the past and against easier teams, this approach often stalls in structured systems that require nuance over brute force. Let’s break down the key areas where Giannis falls short compared to Butler.
Giannis’s Basketball IQ: Instinct Over Intellect
Basketball IQ isn’t just about scoring or rebounding—it’s about making the right play at the right time. Giannis often excels in transition, where his speed and power overwhelm opponents, but in the half-court, his decision-making often falters. Too frequently, he barrels into double-teams without a clear plan, resulting in turnovers or forced shots. His playoff struggles—most notably against the Raptors’ “Wall” in 2019 and the Heat’s zone in 2020—exposed this limitation. Defences can game-plan against him by clogging the paint, daring him to pass or shoot from outside, areas where his instincts don’t translate to consistent execution.
The Warriors’ offense, by contrast, thrives on players who can exploit defensive overreactions. Draymond Green’s ability to read the floor and deliver pinpoint passes to cutters is a cornerstone of their success. We recently saw him completely shut down Giannis because he rarely demonstrates this level of playmaking vision. His assist numbers (career average around 5-6 per game) often come from basic kick-outs rather than the layered reads Kerr’s system demands. In Golden State, he’d likely disrupt the flow, holding the ball too long or forcing drives that collapse spacing.
Jimmy Butler, on the other hand, is a maestro of half-court orchestration. Known for his savvy pick-and-roll play and ability to manipulate defenses, Butler makes quick, intelligent decisions. Whether it’s hitting an open teammate off a double-team or patiently probing for a mid-range jumper, his IQ shines through. In the Warriors’ system, Butler’s knack for finding the right angle—whether as a cutter or a passer—would mesh perfectly with Curry’s gravity and Green’s facilitation.
The Screening Conundrum: Giannis’s Weakness vs. Butler’s Strength
Screening is the lifeblood of the Warriors’ offense. From Curry’s off-ball screens to Green’s pick-and-roll mastery, effective screening creates the chaos that Golden State exploits. And they are masters at pulling off ludicrous screens without getting a whistle from the days of Bogue who pretty much admitted later that they couldn’t understand why they didn’t get called for it more often! Giannis, however, is a glaring liability in this department. Despite his size, he rarely sets meaningful screens, preferring to operate as the ball-handler or roller. His lack of technique—poor angles, minimal contact, and a tendency to slip screens prematurely—limits his ability to free up teammates. In Milwaukee, this hasn’t been a dealbreaker because the Bucks’ offense is designed around his downhill attacks, with shooters spacing the floor. But in Golden State, where screening is a prerequisite for off-ball movement, Giannis’s deficiency would grind the system to a halt.
Imagine Giannis trying to set a screen for Curry. Defenses would sag off, knowing he’s unlikely to pop for a jumper or roll with precision timing. His presence would clog the lane, negating the Warriors’ spacing advantage. Compare this to Butler, who has spent years honing his screening craft. In Miami, Butler’s screens in the pick-and-roll with Bam Adebayo were a thing of beauty—crisp, physical, and perfectly timed. Translated to Golden State, Butler could set screens for Curry or Thompson, then roll or fade with purpose, keeping the offense humming. His willingness to do the dirty work amplifies his fit, while Giannis’s reluctance to embrace this role underscores his mismatch.
Butler’s Fit: A Plug-and-Play Star
Jimmy Butler’s game is tailor-made for the Warriors. His mid-range scoring, defensive tenacity, and high-IQ playmaking align with Kerr’s vision. Butler doesn’t need the ball to dominate—he’s comfortable cutting, spotting up, or facilitating when needed. His 41.4% three-point shooting in the 2022-23 season (on low volume) would stretch defenses just enough, while his ability to guard multiple positions would bolster Golden State’s switch-heavy defense alongside Green. In rotations with Curry, Thompson, and Green, Butler’s versatility would shine, whether he’s running a secondary pick-and-roll or locking down the opponent’s best wing.
Giannis, by contrast, demands a ball-dominant role that clashes with Curry’s primacy. His 28.7% career three-point shooting and shaky free-throw accuracy (around 70%) make him a liability in crunch time, where the Warriors rely on spacing and execution. Defensively his rim-protecting style doesn’t translate as seamlessly to Golden State’s perimeter-oriented scheme as Butler’s multi-positional defence does.
The Verdict: Butler Outclasses Giannis in Golden State
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game is ill-suited for the Warriors’ intellectual, motion-based system. His lower basketball IQ and lack of screening ability would disrupt the harmony that defines Golden State’s success. Jimmy Butler, with his adaptability, grit, and nuanced skill set, is the far superior fit—enhancing the Warriors’ rotations without sacrificing their identity. In a hypothetical world where either player joins the Bay, Butler’s seamless integration would outshine Giannis’s awkward clash, proving that basketball brilliance isn’t just about athleticism—it’s about fitting the puzzle.
So, while Giannis will continue to dominate in his own way probably only in the regular season, the Warriors’ kingdom belongs to players like Butler, who elevate the system rather than bend it to their will. Many say they could go for it all this year. And if there was half a chance in hell Giannis would be traded to the Golden State one day, now it is zero.
The Milwaukee Bucks are undeniably one of the NBA’s elite teams when it comes to three-point shooting. As of March 21, 2025, their roster boasts a collective prowess from beyond the arc that has propelled them into the upper echelon of the league. Players like Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and a cadre of sharpshooting role players have turned Milwaukee into a perimeter threat that defenses must respect. The Bucks rank among the league leaders in three-point attempts and efficiency, a testament to their modern, space-and-pace style which continues with coach Doc Rivers. Yet, lurking beneath this glittering statistic is a perplexing enigma: Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team’s superstar and heartbeat, is inexplicably getting worse from three-point range—and it’s a serious problem that fans are hypocritically brushing aside.
Let’s start with the Bucks’ three-point dominance. This season, they’ve leaned heavily into their outside shooting, with Lillard’s pull-up artistry and Middleton’s catch-and-shoot reliability leading the charge. Role players like Gary Trent Jr. and Bobby Portis have also stepped up, stretching defenses thin and creating the kind of spacing that makes Milwaukee’s offense a nightmare to guard. When the Bucks are clicking, their ability to rain threes opens up the floor for Giannis to do what he does best: bulldoze his way to the rim with unstoppable force. It’s a formula that has kept them in contention, with a record that reflects their status as a top Eastern Conference team even after a rocky 2-8 start.But here’s where the mystery deepens. Giannis, the two-time MVP and 2021 Finals hero, has never been a sharpshooter, but his decline from three-point range this season is alarming. He’s attempting fewer than one three-pointer per game—his lowest rate since his sophomore season in 2014-15—and converting at a dismal 19%. For context, his career high in three-point percentage was 34.7% as a rookie, and he hovered around 30% during his peak MVP years. Now, at age 30, with a decade of NBA experience, you’d expect some refinement in his jumper, especially given his relentless work ethic. Instead, he’s regressing, and it’s baffling.Why is this happening?
Theories abound. Some suggest he’s intentionally abandoned the shot, focusing on his midrange game (where he’s thriving) to preserve his body for the playoffs after years of injury setbacks. There’s also the possibility of a mental block—years of defenses sagging off him might have eroded his confidence in letting it fly. Whatever the reason, the numbers don’t lie: Giannis is trending downward while the Bucks’ system demands more from the perimeter.This decline isn’t just a curiosity—it’s a serious problem. In today’s NBA, versatility is king, especially in the postseason. The Bucks’ three-point barrage works wonders in the regular season, but playoff defenses are smarter, tighter, and more willing to dare Giannis to shoot. We’ve seen it before: teams build a wall in the paint, clogging his driving lanes, and if he can’t punish them from deep, the offense stalls. In 2021, he powered through with sheer dominance, but recent first-round exits highlight how his lack of an outside shot can bottleneck Milwaukee’s attack when it matters most. With Lillard aging, the Bucks need Giannis to evolve, not regress, to keep their championship window open. Note that this 3point percentage is close to the worse 3point percentage EVER in a season in NBA history!
And yet, Bucks fans—bless their loyal hearts—are playing a hypocritical game of denial. They’ll cheer every Lillard dagger and Portis triple, proudly touting their team’s three-point prowess, but when Giannis clanks another rare attempt, it’s crickets or excuses. “He doesn’t need to shoot threes!” they insist. “He’s the best in the paint—why change?” It’s a convenient narrative, but it dodges the truth: a Giannis who can’t stretch the floor limits the Bucks’ ceiling. Pretending otherwise is like ignoring a crack in the foundation of a house you love—it doesn’t fix itself, and it could bring everything down.
(The irony is that the Bucks this season also have THE BEST 3point shooter in the NBA on their roster!)
The Bucks are a three-point juggernaut, no question. But Giannis’s worsening performance from deep is a glaring flaw which makes the team extremely weak in the modern NBA. Until he rediscovers—or at least stabilizes—his outside shot, Milwaukee’s title hopes rest on a shaky premise: that their star can dominate without adapting to the league’s perimeter-driven reality. Fans can keep pretending it doesn’t matter, but the postseason will tell the real story. And if history is any guide, this mystery could turn into a tragedy.
For all his accolades, there’s a glaring flaw in his game that continues to hold him—and at times, his team—back: his inability to effectively space the floor. Worse still, he doesn’t seem to fully grasp the concept or demonstrate the ability to execute advanced plays or systems that modern NBA offenses demand.
Floor spacing is the art of positioning players to maximize driving lanes, open shots, and offensive flow. In today’s NBA, it’s often tied to shooting—particularly from beyond the arc. Teams crave players who can stretch defenses, forcing opponents to guard the full court rather than clogging the paint. Giannis, despite his otherworldly talents, is not one of those players. In fact you could say that the entire Bucks roster has been put together to cover his total inability to understand spacing.
His three-point shooting has been a well-documented weakness. In the 2023-24 season, he shot just 27.4% from deep on 1.7 attempts per game—a marginal improvement from earlier years but still far below league average. Defenses know this. They sag off him, daring him to shoot while packing the paint to neutralize his drives. This strategy was famously dubbed “The Wall” during the Bucks’ playoff struggles against teams like the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and the Miami Heat in 2020. Even in Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run, opponents often conceded the jumper, betting Giannis couldn’t punish them consistently. Brook Lopez’s 3point shooting was a major reason for bringing him to the Bucks, to free up space for Giannis.
The numbers back this up. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Bucks’ offensive efficiency drops when Giannis is on the floor without shooters like Khris Middleton or Brook Lopez to compensate. His presence can shrink the court, especially in half-court sets, where spacing becomes critical. For a player of his caliber, this limitation is baffling—and it’s not just about his shooting percentage.
A Lack of Understanding? What’s more concerning is that Giannis doesn’t always seem to recognize how his positioning impacts the offense. Too often, he lingers near the paint or hovers in no-man’s-land—neither threatening the rim nor pulling defenders out of it. Watch a Bucks game, and you’ll see possessions where he clogs driving lanes for teammates like Damian Lillard or Middleton, forcing stagnant isolation plays rather than fluid ball movement. On top of that he is a massive ball hog, by far No1 in possessions for the entire team which is crazy for a point forward that has no dribbling skills and leads the league in various mistakes and offences. Luckily the officiating usually lets him off easy for palming, travelling and other problems in his lack of technique.
Contrast this with players like LeBron James or Nikola Jokić, who, even when their shots aren’t falling, manipulate defenses with positioning and decision-making. Giannis, for all his brilliance, lacks that spatial awareness. He’s a freight train in transition, unstoppable when the floor is wide open, but in the half-court, his game can feel one-dimensional—barrel to the basket or bust.
This isn’t just a critique of effort; it’s about comprehension. Floor spacing isn’t solely about knocking down threes—it’s about knowing where to be and when. Giannis’s reluctance to fully embrace this aspect suggests a gap in his basketball IQ when it comes to advanced offensive systems.
Struggling with Advanced Plays Speaking of systems, Giannis’s fit within complex schemes is another sore spot. The Bucks have cycled through coaches—Mike Budenholzer, Adrian Griffin, and now Doc Rivers—each trying to unlock his potential in structured offenses. Yet, the results often feel the same: Giannis thrives in chaos but falters when asked to execute intricate plays.
Take pick-and-roll sets, a staple of modern basketball. Giannis is devastating as a roller, using his size and speed to overwhelm defenders. But as the ball-handler? His decision-making lags. He struggles to read help defenses, often forcing passes late or driving into traffic rather than kicking out to open shooters. His assist numbers (career-high 6.5 per game in 2022-23) are impressive for a big man, but they mask a lack of precision in high-IQ situations. And of course his turnovers have risen faster than his assists making him the worse in the entire NBA in assist to turnover ratio for many seasons now.
Compare this to Jokić, who dissects defenses with surgical passing, or even Anthony Davis, who’s grown into a hub for the Lakers’ offense. Giannis, by contrast, leans on raw athleticism over scheme mastery. The Bucks’ championship system under Budenholzer leaned heavily on surrounding him with shooters and letting him attack simplified sets—not a testament to his playmaking growth but a workaround for his limitations.
Why It Matters Now At 30 years old, Giannis is in his prime, and the Bucks remain contenders. But as the league evolves, his flaws become harder to hide. Defenses are smarter, rotations are quicker, and playoff series magnify weaknesses. The addition of Damian Lillard was supposed to elevate Milwaukee’s offense, pairing an elite shooter and playmaker with Giannis’s interior dominance. Instead, the fit has been clunky at times, with Giannis’s lack of spacing undermining Lillard’s gravity.
If the Bucks want to maximize this window, Giannis needs to evolve. Improving his jumper would be ideal, but even incremental growth in off-ball movement and system execution could transform their attack. He doesn’t need to be Steph Curry—he just needs to stop being a liability when the ball isn’t in his hands.
The Art of Screening—and Giannis’s Struggles Setting a good screen is about more than just standing in someone’s way. It’s a craft—using body position, timing, and angles to free a teammate or disrupt a defense. Elite big men like Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, or even Draymond Green excel at this, turning screens into weapons that dictate the flow of a play. Giannis, despite his 6’11” frame and physical gifts, doesn’t come close.
Watch a Bucks game, and you’ll notice Giannis’s screens often lack purpose. He’ll jog into position, make half-hearted contact, and roll prematurely—or not at all. Defenders slip by him with ease, barely impeded, leaving ball-handlers like Damian Lillard or Khris Middleton to fend for themselves. According to Second Spectrum tracking data, the Bucks generate fewer points per possession off screens involving Giannis compared to league averages for bigs in pick-and-roll sets. It’s not just a stats quirk—it’s visible on tape.
His technique is part of the issue. Giannis rarely squares his body to shield defenders effectively, and his footwork can be sloppy, allowing opponents to anticipate and counter. Where a player like Rudy Gobert uses his mass to wall off defenders, Giannis’s screens feel more like a formality than a tactic. For a player who dominates in so many areas, this gap is glaring.
The Angle Problem What sets Giannis apart as a poor screener isn’t just execution—it’s understanding. Screening is about geometry: finding the right angle to maximize disruption. Great screeners read the defense, adjust their stance, and position themselves to exploit mismatches or force switches. Giannis, however, seems oblivious to this chess match.
Too often, he sets screens at awkward angles that fail to create separation. He’ll plant himself parallel to the defender’s path rather than perpendicular, letting them slide under or over without resistance. Or he’ll set up too close to the ball-handler, clogging the lane instead of opening it. This lack of spatial awareness undermines plays designed to leverage his gravity as a roller.
Take a play from a recent Bucks game: Giannis sets a high screen for Lillard, but his body is turned toward the basket, not the defender. The angle is off, the defender recovers, and Lillard’s forced into a contested jumper. Compare that to Jokić, who subtly shifts his hips to seal a defender, giving Denver’s guards clean looks. Giannis doesn’t seem to process those nuances.
Why It’s a Bigger Issue This isn’t just a nitpick—it’s a limitation that affects Milwaukee’s offense, especially in the half-court. The Bucks brought in Lillard to supercharge their attack, but Giannis’s shaky screening undercuts that vision. A good screen from Giannis could spring Lillard for open threes or pull defenders into switches he can exploit. Instead, defenses stay comfortable, knowing Giannis won’t punish them with a well-set pick.
His rolling ability—explosive and devastating—only shines when the screen actually works. Too often, it doesn’t, leaving him out of rhythm and the offense stagnant. In playoff series, where execution trumps athleticism, this flaw gets magnified. Teams like the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics have exploited it, neutralizing Giannis’s impact by ignoring his screens and daring him to create outside his comfort zone.
Can He Improve? At 30, Giannis isn’t too old to refine this part of his game, but it’s unclear if he sees it as a priority. His athletic dominance has carried him so far that fundamentals like screening might feel secondary. Coaches—from Mike Budenholzer to Doc Rivers—haven’t fully corrected this, either because they lean on his strengths elsewhere or because he’s resistant to the grind of mastering it.
Improving would require two things: better technique and a deeper understanding of angles. Film study could help, as could drills with players like Brook Lopez, a far more effective screener. But it starts with Giannis recognizing the gap. Right now, there’s little evidence he does. And of course no hope in hell of him going to a team like the Golden State Warriors that rely heavily both on constanst high level screens and an understanding of advanced plays and angles executed very quickly.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a superstar, but his screening and spacing are massive problems for anyone on the floor with him. He’s one of the NBA’s worst at setting picks, and his apparent lack of grasp on angles compounds the problem. For all his physical tools, this deficiency keeps him from being a complete offensive player—and it’s a burden the Bucks must keep working around. Until he figures out how to turn his screens into something defenses fear, Giannis will remain an enigma in one of basketball’s most basic yet vital skills.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a generational talent physically, but his struggles with floor spacing and advanced play execution are real. It’s not just about missing threes; it’s about a seeming disconnect from the nuances that define elite offenses. Until he bridges that gap—or Milwaukee builds an even more perfect system around him—his game will carry an asterisk. The Greek Freak is a wrecking ball, but the NBA’s best teams know how to build walls he can’t always break through.
I did a post about various players that can shut down Giannis on their own. No “wall” needed. Here is one I forgot. If you’ve watched the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Milwaukee Bucks in recent years, you’ve probably noticed something: Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, the two-time MVP, doesn’t always look quite as unstoppable when Jarred Vanderbilt is on the floor. Sure, Giannis still gets some but there’s a noticeable grind to his game, a little extra sweat on his brow. So, what’s the deal? Why does Vanderbilt, a gritty role player, seem to have the formula for slowing down Giannis?
The Physical Blueprint
At 6’8” with a 7’1” wingspan and an 8’10” standing reach, Jarred Vanderbilt isn’t your average forward. He’s built like a Swiss Army knife—long enough to bother bigs, quick enough to hang with guards, and strong enough to not get shoved aside by a freight train like Giannis. The Bucks star thrives on bulldozing smaller defenders or outrunning lumbering centres, but Vanderbilt’s combo of size and agility throws a wrench into that plan. He can slide his feet to cut off Giannis’s Eurostep drives and extend those lanky arms to contest shots without racking up fouls (well, most of the time).
Defense That Doesn’t Quit
Vanderbilt’s game isn’t about flashy stats—it’s about effort. The dude plays like he’s got an extra battery pack strapped to his back. He’s diving for loose balls, scrapping for rebounds (6.3 per game career average), and sticking to Giannis like a shadow. That relentless energy is a nightmare for a player like Giannis, who feasts in transition (7.6 fast-break points per game this season). Vanderbilt’s hustle forces Milwaukee into the half-court, where the Lakers can clog the paint and turn Giannis into a passer—or, better yet, a jump-shooter (career 28.6% from three, folks).
Steals and Smarts
Don’t sleep on Vanderbilt’s hands. He’s averaging 1.2 steals per game for his career, and those quick paws have snagged plenty of Giannis’s dribbles. Let’s face it Giannis is not a ball handler. Yet this season he thinks it a good idea to bring the ball down. Whether it’s a sneaky strip on a drive or a deflection in the post, Vanderbilt’s defensive IQ shines through. He knows Giannis wants to get downhill, so he’ll shade him toward help or bait him into a turnover (Giannis averages 3.0 against LA). Pair that with his ability to switch across positions—thanks to years honing his versatility—and you’ve got a defender who can disrupt Milwaukee’s entire offence, not just its superstar.
The Lakers’ Secret Sauce
Vanderbilt doesn’t do this alone. When he’s guarding Giannis, Anthony Davis used to be usually lurking nearby, ready to swat shots (2.1 blocks per game this season). The Lakers’ “wall” strategy—packing the paint and daring Giannis to shoot from outside—isn’t unique, but Vanderbilt makes it sing. He’s the guy out front, taking the hits and funnelling Giannis into AD’s domain. It’s like a buddy-cop movie: Vanderbilt’s the scrappy street fighter, Davis is the cool-headed enforcer, and Giannis is the bad guy who still gets away sometimes. Without Anthony Davis, Hayes will have to play tonight and he is clearly not as able in defence.
Proof in the Matchups
Check the tape. Back on March 8, 2024, the Lakers edged out a 123-122 thriller, and Giannis went 12-for-21 (57.1%) for 34 points—solid, but below his usual efficiency—with 5 turnovers. Vanderbilt was all over him for 20 minutes. Or take February 1, 2023: Giannis dropped 38 on 15-of-29 shooting (51.7%), but Vanderbilt’s 26 minutes included 4 steals and a whole lot of frustration for the Bucks. Even in losses, like this month’s 124-109 Bucks win, Vanderbilt’s 14 minutes kept Giannis working harder than he’d like.
Not Perfect, But Perfectly Pesky
Giannis is still Giannis. He’s averaging 27.9 points against the Lakers historically, and he’ll have his monster nights no matter who’s guarding him. Vanderbilt’s offence (a modest 6.0 PPG career average) also lets Giannis sag off and roam defensively. But that’s not the point. Vanderbilt’s job isn’t to erase Giannis—it’s to make him mortal, to turn a 40-point cakewalk into a 30-point grind. And when he’s healthy and locked in, he does just that. Add to that his turnovers (worse in the NBA this season in relation to assists) and it’s not looking good.
Jarred Vanderbilt might not get the headlines, but he’s the kind of player coaches dream about. Against Giannis Antetokounmpo, his length, hustle, and smarts combine to form a defensive puzzle that even the Greek Freak struggles to solve. When LA and Milwaukee square off, keep an eye on No. 8. You’ll see why Giannis might secretly dread those matchups.
I started looking at team stats and – predictably – in red circles the best of the league are the ones you expect more or less:
But then it gets interesting when you select to see stats only in games they lose:
The Bucks are the worse in assist ratio and defensive rebound share. This is something I have been shouting about all along. Giannis’ fans cherry pick averages. But he is much much worse when they lose:
His field goal percentage drops dramatically, he shoots more 3s weirdly, his free throw percentage drops as do his assists and blocks. This is a player with no bag. No options. No ability to change his games when his team needs him to. One trick pony, run and dunk. And when that doesn’t work, well Bucks are gonners.
Above his career stats, in red his best years. It is pretty clear that 2019-2020 was the pinnacle. Giannis has been going downhill ever since. But it is more nuanced of course because he still stat pads what he sees, ie points/rebounds/assists.
Advanced stats paint the picture even better. The only thing Giannis does ‘better’ is stat pad those defensive rebounds! You know the ones, he just waits for the ball as everyone else has cleared out of the paint after a missed shot.
Misc split stats? Same picture. Only personal fouls drawn got ‘better’ in 2022-2023 but you can’t really say that because he then misses the free throws. So in effect they are often a wasted offence and they damn sure stop the flow of the game for everyone!
2019-2020 Season: The Pinnacle
Not only his best ever but also the high-water mark from which his performance has steadily declined in nearly every facet of the game.
He won the Defensive Player of the Year award, anchoring a Bucks defense that allowed just 101.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. His versatility—guarding point guards one possession and rim-protecting the next—made him the league’s most impactful defender. That season, he also claimed his second consecutive MVP award, joining an elite group of players to achieve that feat. Even his free-throw shooting (63.3%)—a perennial weakness—was better than it would be in subsequent years.
The Decline: Where It’s Gone Downhill
Since that peak, Giannis’s performance has trended downward in several key areas, despite the narrative of his continued greatness buoyed by the Bucks’ 2021 championship. Let’s break it down.
Scoring Efficiency and Volume In 2020-2021, his scoring dipped to 28.1 points per game on 56.9% shooting, still elite but a slight step back. By 2022-2023, he was at 31.1 points per game, but his field goal percentage dropped to 55.3%, and his free-throw shooting cratered to 64.5%. In the 2023-2024 season, he averaged 30.4 points on 61.1% shooting—an outlier year driven by an unsustainable spike in close-range efficiency—but his free-throw percentage plummeted to 65.7%. This season (2024-2025, as of March 20, 2025), early indications suggest he’s hovering around 30 points per game, but his efficiency is normalizing downward again. The trend? He’s relying more on volume than the effortless dominance of 2019-2020.
Playmaking Giannis’s assist numbers peaked at 5.8 in 2022-2023, but his turnovers have crept up too—from 3.1 per game in 2019-2020 to 3.9 in 2023-2024. Defences have adjusted, doubling him more aggressively and forcing him to pass out of pressure. While he’s adapted, he’s not the same decisive playmaker he was when he could single-handedly collapse a defence and find open teammates with ease.
Defence The most glaring decline has been on the defensive end. Since winning DPOY in 2020, Giannis hasn’t sniffed that level of impact. In 2023-2024, the Bucks’ defensive rating with him on the court was 112.8—solid, but a far cry from the stingy 101.6 of 2019-2020. Injuries, increased offensive load, and a less cohesive team defense have all played a role, but Giannis no longer strikes fear into opponents as a roaming disruptor. He’s still good, but not generational.
Free-Throw Woes Giannis’s free-throw shooting has become a running joke. After hitting 63.3% in 2019-2020, it’s gotten worse almost every year: 68.5% in 2020-2021 (a fluke), 63.3% in 2021-2022, 64.5% in 2022-2023, and a dismal 65.7% in 2023-2024. Teams exploit this in close games, and it’s a glaring regression from even his modest 2019-2020 mark.
Postseason Struggles The 2021 championship masks some of Giannis’s postseason decline. In 2019-2020, the Bucks were upset by the Miami Heat in the bubble, but Giannis was still a terror (albeit limited by injury). Since then, his playoff performances have been inconsistent—heroic in 2021 (35.2 points per game in the Finals), but underwhelming in 2023 (23.3 points on 49.2% shooting against Miami) and 2024 (hampered by injury again). He’s not elevating his game the way he once promised to.
Why the Decline?
Several factors explain this slide. First, wear and tear: Giannis has logged heavy minutes over the years, and injuries (knee, ankle, back) have piled up. Second, the league has adapted—teams now wall off the paint and dare him to shoot, exposing his lack of a reliable jumper. Very often a single defender can neutralise him. Third, the Bucks’ supporting cast and coaching have fluctuated, and since Giannis can’t adapt he has to wait for them to figure how to cover for his many weaknesses on the court. Finally, at 30 years old (as of December 2024), he’s no longer the ascendant freak of nature he was at 25. But mainly he seems to lack the basketball IQ on the court and the plain normal IQ to learn some new skills.
The chart above charts what he actually did instead of getting better. He focused on stat padding and damned be his team! Again notice the red circles (his best years ever in each stat) are firmly in the past.
Usage split stats from nba.com really paint the picture of his constant decline. This is not on the team, this is not just one or two games. Giannis sees these stats and simply will not or cannot improve.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2019-2020 season was a perfect storm of youth, athleticism, and team synergy that made him the best player in the world. Since then he’s not an unstoppable force. Not when it counts. His efficiency, defensive impact, and overall dominance have waned, even as he’s added a championship to his resume. The Greek Freak’s peak came early and all available evidence suggests he’s been on a slow decline ever since.
For Bucks fans, the hope is he can recapture that magic—but for now, 2019-2020 stands as his crowning achievement.
Rivers was brought in midseason to turn the Bucks into a championship contender, replacing Adrian Griffin, who had the team at a 30-13 clip. With the Bucks struggling, the narrative is often that Rivers is failing to deliver. But is it really that simple? Or is it just that in the modern NBA players are too holy to touch so the coaching staff gets the blame all the time?
Roster Construction: An Aging Core with Limited Flexibility
The Bucks’ roster is built around two superstars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, both of whom are in their 30s. While Giannis remains a force of nature, averaging over 30 points per game this season most of his stats are worse than before and Lillard’s performance has been inconsistent. This isn’t a coaching issue; it’s a sign of a 34-year-old guard adjusting to a new system.
Beyond the stars, the supporting cast is aging and lacks the athleticism needed to keep up with younger, faster teams. Khris Middleton, another key piece, was sidelined with injury and then traded. Brook Lopez, now 36, is still a solid rim protector but struggles with mobility against quicker opponents. Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, both relied upon heavily, are also past their athletic primes and have seen their efficiency dip. This roster was constructed by the front office, not Rivers, and its flaws—age, lack of perimeter defence, and limited depth—were evident even before he arrived. It was the best they could get in an extremely competitive NBA trade scene.
The Midseason Hire Handicap
Rivers didn’t get a full training camp with this team. He was thrust into the head coaching role in January 2024, inheriting a squad that was already 30-13 but showing cracks under Griffin. Midseason coaching changes rarely lead to instant success because there’s no time to install a new system or build chemistry. Rivers went 17-19 in the regular season last year and lost in the first round to the Indiana Pacers, but injuries to Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton crippled the team in that series. This season, with a full offseason to prepare, the Bucks still face the same structural issues—issues Rivers didn’t create and can’t magically fix with Xs and Os alone.
Defensive Struggles Predate Rivers
One of the Bucks’ biggest problems this season has been their defense, ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed per game. Critics point to Rivers’ outdated drop-coverage scheme as the culprit, arguing it leaves perimeter shooters open. But this defensive decline isn’t new. The Bucks traded away Jrue Holiday—their best perimeter defender—for Lillard before the 2023-2024 season, a move that prioritized offense over defense. Under Griffin, the Bucks had the league’s 4th easiest schedule and still ranked 19th in defensive rating. Rivers improved that to 11th after taking over, despite a tougher slate of opponents. The personnel simply doesn’t fit a switch-heavy, modern defense—Lillard and Lopez are liabilities against quick guards, and Rivers can only work with what he’s given.
The Offense: Talent, Not Scheme
Offensively, the Bucks have been abysmal, shooting just 34.6% from three as a team through five games. Rivers has been criticized for not maximizing the Giannis-Dame pick-and-roll, but the numbers tell a different story. When those two run the play, it’s effective—Giannis is nearly unguardable rolling to the rim, and Lillard can still hit pull-up threes when he’s on. The problem is execution and support. Lillard’s cold start and the lack of reliable shooters around the stars (Connaughton is at 26.3% from three, Portis at 28.6%) mean defenses can sag off and clog the paint. Rivers can draw up plays, but he can’t shoot the ball for his players.
The Bigger Picture: Organizational Decisions
The Bucks’ struggles are the result of a series of front-office gambles that haven’t panned out. Trading Holiday for Lillard was a win-now move that sacrificed defense and depth. Firing Mike Budenholzer, who led the team to a 2021 title, after one bad playoff run was a panic decision. Replacing him with Griffin, a rookie coach, and then pivoting to Rivers midseason reflects a lack of clear direction. Rivers isn’t blameless—he’s made questionable rotation choices, like leaning on veterans over younger players like AJ Green or Andre Jackson Jr.—but he’s not the architect of this mess. He’s a coach trying to navigate a flawed roster with sky-high expectations.
Conclusion: It’s More Than One Man
Doc Rivers has his flaws. His playoff track record is spotty, and his tendency to favor veterans over youth can be frustrating. But the Bucks’ current woes aren’t his fault alone. An aging roster, poor shooting, and a lack of defensive versatility are systemic issues that predate his arrival and would challenge any coach. Giannis is still a top-five player, and Lillard can turn it around, but the supporting cast and organizational strategy need a hard look. Blaming Rivers is easy, but it’s the Bucks’ front office—and the players’ execution—that hold the real keys to turning this season around. For now, Rivers is just the guy steering a ship that was leaking before he ever stepped on board.
Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Might Be Uncoachable
Not in the sense of being defiant or disrespectful, but in a more nuanced way—his game, his mentality, and his approach to basketball may inherently resist the kind of coaching that elevates other superstars. Here’s why.
The Stubbornness of a Self-Made Star
Giannis’ rise from a scrawny Greek prospect to global icon is a testament to his work ethic and self-belief. He wasn’t groomed in AAU circuits or polished by elite college programs—he built his game from scratch, fueled by raw talent and an obsessive desire to improve. That DIY ethos is his greatest strength, but it’s also a double-edged sword. When you’ve taught yourself to dominate through sheer will and physical gifts, it’s hard to accept that someone else—a coach—might know better.
Take his shooting, for example. Giannis’ jump shot has been a glaring weakness since day one, yet despite years of critique and countless offseason promises to “fix it,” the progress has been glacial. His three-point percentage hovers around 28-29% most seasons, and his midrange game remains unreliable. Coaches like Jason Kidd, Mike Budenholzer, and now Doc Rivers have surely drilled him on mechanics, footwork, and shot selection, but Giannis keeps reverting to what’s comfortable—driving to the rim or launching awkward, off-balance jumpers. It’s not laziness; it’s a stubborn adherence to his own process. He trusts his instincts over structured coaching, and while that’s gotten him this far, it’s also capped his evolution.
The Free-Throw Fiasco
Nothing exemplifies Giannis’ uncoachability more than his free-throw routine. His agonizingly slow, 10-second wind-up—complete with multiple dribbles and a deep-breath ritual—has been a punchline for years, often drawing countdowns from opposing crowds. It’s also a liability: he’s a career 70% free-throw shooter, dipping to 61% in the 2021 playoffs (albeit with a clutch Finals performance). Coaches have undoubtedly tried to streamline this—simplify the motion, speed it up, anything to make it less of a mental hurdle. Yet Giannis sticks to it, defiantly so, even as it costs him and the Bucks in tight games. When Budenholzer was asked about it, he’d deflect with vague platitudes about Giannis’ work ethic, but the subtext was clear: Giannis does what Giannis wants.
This isn’t just quirkiness—it’s a refusal to adapt. Great players tweak their habits under coaching guidance. Kobe Bryant refined his shot with Phil Jackson; LeBron James overhauled his jumper with Chris Jent. Giannis, by contrast, seems to view coaching input as a suggestion, not a directive. His free-throw struggles aren’t a lack of talent—they’re a symptom of a player too entrenched in his own head to let a coach pull him out. And due to his severely lacking social skills he doesn’t train with other NBA superstars in the summer.
A Game That Defies Systems
Giannis’ playing style is another hurdle. He’s a one-man wrecking crew—6’11” with a 7’3” wingspan, explosive speed, and relentless aggression. He thrives in transition, bulldozing to the rim or Euro-stepping past defenders. It’s breathtaking when it works, but it’s also chaotic. Unlike, say, Kevin Durant, whose game fits seamlessly into any offensive scheme, Giannis’ dominance relies on space and momentum—things a coach can’t always manufacture. When the game slows down, as it does in the playoffs, his lack of polish (shooting, post moves, off-ball play) gets exposed, and no Bucks coach has fully solved that puzzle.
Mike Budenholzer took heat for Milwaukee’s playoff failures before 2021, often blamed for rigid schemes that didn’t maximize Giannis. But was it all Bud’s fault? Giannis’ freelancing—charging into triple-teams or hesitating on open looks—often undermined those systems. The 2021 title run succeeded because Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton bailed him out with timely playmaking and shot creation, not because Giannis suddenly became a cog in a well-oiled machine. Doc Rivers’ tenure has been bumpier still, with Giannis’ turnovers and late-game decisions fueling Milwaukee’s inconsistency. A coachable star adapts to the system; Giannis forces the system to adapt to him.
The Ego of Greatness
Then there’s the mentality. Giannis is famously humble off the court—cracking dad jokes and shunning the spotlight—but on it, he’s an alpha with an unshakable belief in his own path. That’s not a knock; confidence is what makes him elite. But it can clash with coaching authority. When he brushed off playoff losses with lines like “I don’t care” or “it’s just basketball,” it hinted at a player who doesn’t dwell on setbacks—or, perhaps, doesn’t fully heed the lessons coaches try to impart. His “I did it the right way” narrative after the 2021 title further suggests he sees his journey as self-directed, not a product of collaborative coaching. He disregards the coach and explains his own plays to the team. It’s pathetic!
Compare that to other greats. Tim Duncan, the ultimate coachable superstar, let Gregg Popovich mold him into a two-way anchor. Even LeBron, for all his clout, has bent to Erik Spoelstra’s or Ty Lue’s vision when needed. Giannis, though? He’s more like Shaq—unstoppable on his terms, but resistant to anyone reshaping his game. Shaq never needed a jumper because he was Shaq; Giannis doesn’t think he needs one either, even when the evidence (like the 2023 Miami upset) says otherwise.
The Bucks’ Coaching Carousel
Milwaukee’s revolving door of coaches—Kidd, Budenholzer, Rivers—might reflect this tension. Kidd couldn’t harness Giannis’ raw potential into playoff success. Budenholzer got the title but was criticized for not adjusting enough to Giannis’ limitations. Rivers, a veteran voice, has struggled to impose structure on a Giannis-led squad that often looks disjointed. Sure, front-office decisions and roster flaws play a role, but the common thread is Giannis’ singular style and mindset. A truly coachable star makes any system work; Giannis makes coaches bend to his will, for better or worse.
Conclusion: A Titan Too Big to Tame
Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t uncoachable in the toxic, locker-room-cancer sense. He’s not clashing with coaches or tanking practices. He’s a hard worker, a team-first guy, and a joy to watch. But his game and psyche—forged in his own image, resistant to refinement—suggest a player who’s reached the mountaintop largely on his terms. That’s inspiring, but it’s also limiting. To call him uncoachable isn’t an insult—it’s an observation of a player too self-reliant to fully surrender to a coach’s vision. The Bucks might never build a dynasty unless Giannis lets someone else steer the ship, even just a little. Until then, he’ll remain a maddening enigma for every coach who tries to guide him.
Undisputed King of the Airball. Yes, you read that right. Giannis has a knack for missing shots in the most spectacular way possible—by launching the ball into the abyss, nowhere near the rim. It’s a trait that’s become a meme, a talking point, and, oddly enough, a testament to why fans adore him.
The Airball Chronicles: A Highlight Reel of Misses
Giannis’ airball moments aren’t just occasional slip-ups—they’re events. They’ve been immortalized in viral clips, dissected by analysts, and roasted by fans on social media. One of the most infamous examples came during a 2021 game against the Charlotte Hornets. With the Bucks in transition, Giannis pulled up from beyond the arc, unleashed his signature form—a wind-up that looks more like a catapult than a jump shot—and… nothing. The ball sailed over the backboard, barely grazing the air molecules near the rim. The crowd groaned, Twitter erupted, and somewhere, a Bucks fan laughed through the pain.
Then there’s the free-throw line, where Giannis’ airball antics have reached peak comedy. His prolonged free-throw routine—sometimes pushing the 10-second limit—builds anticipation, only for the ball to occasionally miss everything. Last night against the Warriors after delaying as usual his air ball was extra funny. In a 2023 playoff game against the Miami Heat, Giannis airballed a free throw so badly that it became a rallying cry for Heat fans, who chanted “Air-ball! Air-ball!” every time he stepped to the line thereafter. Even in high-stakes moments, Giannis delivers unintentional entertainment.
Why Does It Happen? Breaking Down the Mechanics
So, how does a player with Giannis’ talent end up with such a prolific airball resume? It’s a mix of mechanics, mentality, and his unique journey as a basketball player.
First, let’s talk about his shooting form. Giannis didn’t grow up with the polished jumpers of a Steph Curry or a Kevin Durant. He honed his game on the streets of Athens, Greece, where raw athleticism and hustle trumped finesse. His jumper has always been a work in progress—awkward, stiff, and reliant on a slow release that leaves little margin for error. When he’s off, he’s off, and the ball can end up anywhere but the hoop.
Second, Giannis isn’t afraid to shoot. Unlike some stars who shy away from their weaknesses, he embraces the challenge. He’s taken more three-pointers each season, going from 0.5 attempts per game in his rookie year (2013-14) to 4.7 attempts in the 2023-24 season. Only this season has he stopped taking many and now he is having the worse 3point percentage in a season in NBA history! That fearlessness is part of what makes him so bad for his team—but it also means more opportunities for airballs. He’s not content to stay in his lane as a paint-bound big man; he wants to evolve, even if it means occasionally looking foolish. Problem is he isn’t improving. And to those in the know he looks extra foolish after more than a decade in the NBA.
Finally, there’s the free-throw factor. Giannis’ elongated routine—deep breaths, multiple dribbles, a pause that feels like an eternity—seems to throw off his rhythm at times. Add in playoff pressure or hostile crowds, and the result is a shot that sometimes doesn’t even threaten the rim.
The Stats: How Bad Is It, Really?
Quantifying airballs isn’t an official NBA stat, but Giannis’ misses are so memorable that they’ve fueled endless debates. In the 2022-23 season, he shot a career-high 64.5% from the free-throw line—not terrible, but a far cry from elite. His three-point percentage hovered at 27.5%, meaning plenty of his long-range attempts didn’t find the mark. Anecdotally, fans and analysts have noted that Giannis’ airballs tend to come in clusters—once he flubs one, another might follow, as if the basketball gods are testing his resolve. But since the last season he has become much much worse. Giannis fans like talking about triple doubles but they are not calculating the cost. His shooting ft% is worse than ever. And his mid range collapses into airballs and clunkers in games against tougher opponents. Talk about selective perception!
Why some Love It: The Human Side of a Superstar
Here’s the thing: Giannis’ airballs don’t detract from his legacy—they enhance it for his blinded fans. In an era of polished athletes with curated images, Giannis is refreshingly unpolished. He laughs at himself, shrugs off the misses, and keeps attacking. After airballing that free throw against Miami, he didn’t sulk—he smiled, jogged back on defence, and later dropped 38 points to remind everyone who he is. Who cares if his team lost?
That relatability is rare for a player of his stature. Most of us will never dunk on LeBron James or block a shot into the third row, but we’ve all had moments of abject failure—tripping in public, missing an easy layup in pickup, or botching a presentation at work. Giannis’ airballs are his version of that, a reminder that even the best stumble. And yet, he doesn’t let it define him. He keeps shooting, keeps grinding, and despite the fact that he is clearly past his prime he continues as if he can’t see it.
Crowning the King
So, is Giannis truly the King of the Airball? In the court of public opinion, absolutely. No one combines jaw-dropping highlights with laugh-out-loud misses quite like he does. Shaquille O’Neal might have been the original free-throw clanker, and Nick Young might have celebrated his own airballs with swagger, but Giannis wears the crown with a unique blend of dominance and humility.
As the 2024-25 season unfolds, expect more airball moments to join the highlight reel. Maybe he’ll brick a three in a clutch moment, or maybe he’ll airball a free throw only to follow it with a game-winning dunk. Either way, it’s all part of the Giannis experience—a rollercoaster of brilliance and blunders that keeps us watching.
Long live the King of the Airball. May his reign be as entertaining as it is pointless.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” has long been considered one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA. With his rare combination of size, speed, strength, and skill, he has dominated opponents since breaking out in the 2016-17 season. However, as his career progresses and opposing teams gain more experience facing him, a growing number of players have demonstrated the ability to slow him down—or even stop him outright—in one-on-one situations.
The Evolution of Defending Giannis
Giannis’s game is built on his ability to attack the rim with relentless aggression. Standing at 6’11” with a 7’3” wingspan, he can cover ground in a few strides, overpower smaller defenders, and finish through contact. Early in his career, teams struggled to find answers, often resorting to double-teams or “building a wall” in the paint. However, as the NBA has evolved, individual defenders with the right blend of physical tools, basketball IQ, and discipline have begun to crack the code. These players don’t always shut Giannis down completely, but they’ve forced him into inefficient nights or key stops that shift the momentum of games.
Case 1: Draymond Green – The Defensive Mastermind
Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors’ defensive anchor, is one of the few players who can consistently challenge Giannis in isolation. Green’s combination of strength, lateral quickness, and elite basketball IQ makes him a unique matchup. At 6’6”, he gives up significant height to Giannis, but his ability to anticipate moves and use leverage compensates for the size disparity.
Example: March 18, 2025 – Bucks vs. Warriors
March 18, 2025, Green showcased his defensive prowess against Giannis. Late in the third quarter, with the Bucks trailing by five, Giannis received the ball at the top of the key, looking to drive. Green positioned himself slightly off Giannis, baiting him into a downhill attack. As Giannis accelerated, Green slid his feet perfectly, cutting off the driving lane. When Giannis tried to spin back for a jumper, Green’s quick hands disrupted the rhythm, forcing a contested mid-range shot that clanked off the rim. Later, in the fourth quarter, Green denied Giannis a layup by stepping up to contest a Damian Lillard three-pointer before recovering to block Giannis at the rim. This sequence highlighted Green’s ability to read plays and use his physicality to disrupt Giannis’s flow.
Why It Works: Green’s success stems from his understanding of Giannis’s tendencies. He knows Giannis prefers to get to the basket rather than settle for jumpers, so he prioritises staying in front and forcing tough shots. Green’s low centre of gravity also prevents Giannis from bullying him in the post.
Case 2: Anthony Davis – The Length Advantage
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers is another player who has had success against Giannis, leveraging his length and timing to contest shots at the rim. At 6’10” with a 7’6” wingspan, Davis can match Giannis’s physicality while providing elite shot-blocking instincts.
Example: December 2024 – Bucks vs. Lakers
During a December 2024 matchup, Davis put on a clinic against Giannis. In the second quarter, Giannis drove baseline, looking for one of his signature dunks. Davis, positioned near the restricted area, timed his jump perfectly, meeting Giannis at the apex and swatting the shot into the stands. Later, in crunch time, Giannis tried a Eurostep to evade Davis, but AD’s long arms stayed with him, forcing Giannis into an awkward floater that missed badly. Giannis finished that game with 24 points, but shot just 9-for-20, a testament to Davis’s impact.
Why It Works: Davis’s length allows him to contest Giannis’s shots without fouling, a critical factor given Giannis’s ability to draw contact. His mobility also lets him recover quickly if Giannis gets a step, making it harder for the Greek Freak to finish at his usual clip.
Case 3: Bam Adebayo – Strength Meets Versatility
Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo is a rare big man who can switch onto Giannis and hold his own. At 6’9” and 255 pounds, Adebayo combines brute strength with the agility to mirror Giannis’s drives, making him a formidable one-on-one defender.
Example: February 2024 – Bucks vs. Heat
In a February 2024 game, Adebayo took on Giannis in a pivotal moment. With the game tied late in the fourth, Giannis isolated against Adebayo at the elbow. He tried a quick first step to blow by, but Adebayo stayed low and absorbed the contact, forcing Giannis into a spin move. As Giannis went up for a layup, Adebayo’s strong hands stripped the ball cleanly, leading to a fast-break score for Miami. Giannis scored 28 points that night, but Adebayo’s defense limited his efficiency, holding him to 11-for-23 shooting.
Why It Works: Adebayo’s physicality neutralizes Giannis’s strength advantage, while his quick feet prevent easy blow-bys. His ability to switch and defend in space also disrupts Milwaukee’s pick-and-roll actions involving Giannis.
Case 4: Aaron Jones – The Wall of Toronto
Aaron Jones, the Toronto Raptors’ lanky forward, has emerged as a Giannis stopper in recent years. At 6’10” with a 7’4” wingspan, Jones uses his length and defensive instincts to clog driving lanes and contest shots.
Example: January 2025 – Bucks vs. Raptors
In a January 2025 matchup, Jones made life difficult for Giannis. Early in the game, Giannis tried to power through Jones in the post, but Jones stood his ground, forcing a double-team that led to a turnover. Later, in the third quarter, Giannis drove middle, only for Jones to slide over and block a dunk attempt with both hands. Giannis finished with 25 points, but his 8-for-19 shooting reflected Jones’s impact.
Why It Works: Jones’s length and timing disrupt Giannis’s rhythm, particularly on drives. His willingness to take on the physical challenge also prevents Giannis from establishing deep post position.
Case 5: Jaren Jackson Jr. – The Rim Protector
Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. brings a mix of size, agility, and shot-blocking to the table, making him another tough matchup for Giannis. At 6’11” with a 7’4” wingspan, Jackson can protect the rim while staying mobile enough to contest Giannis on the perimeter.
Example: November 2024 – Bucks vs. Grizzlies
In a November 2024 game, Jackson got the better of Giannis in a key sequence. With the Bucks up by two in the fourth, Giannis attacked off a screen, aiming for the rim. Jackson, sagging off his man, met Giannis in the air and blocked the shot cleanly. On the next possession, Jackson forced Giannis into a contested mid-range jumper that missed, sealing a Grizzlies win. Giannis scored 27 points but shot 10-for-22, with Jackson’s defense playing a big role.
Why It Works: Jackson’s ability to protect the rim while avoiding fouls frustrates Giannis, who thrives on free-throw opportunities. His versatility also allows him to switch onto Giannis in pick-and-roll situations.
Case 6: Dillon Brooks – The Agitator
Dillon Brooks, now with the Houston Rockets after his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, is known for his physical, in-your-face defense and willingness to take on the toughest assignments. While Brooks isn’t as tall as Giannis (6’6” compared to 6’11”), his tenacity, strength, and knack for getting under opponents’ skin have occasionally disrupted Giannis’s rhythm.
Example: April 2023 – Grizzlies vs. Bucks (Regular Season)
In a late-season game in April 2023, Brooks was tasked with guarding Giannis during a Grizzlies-Bucks matchup. While Giannis still put up 24 points, Brooks’s physicality forced him into a less efficient night, shooting 9-for-18. Brooks bodied Giannis on drives, used quick hands to poke the ball loose (Giannis had 4 turnovers), and even drew an offensive foul by standing his ground in the paint. Memphis lost, but Brooks’s effort stood out as he limited Giannis’s usual dominance at the rim, holding him to just 5-for-10 in the restricted area—a below-average mark for the Greek Freak.
Why It Works: Brooks thrives on physicality and doesn’t back down, even against bigger players. His low stance and relentless energy can frustrate Giannis, forcing him into less comfortable spots on the floor. While Brooks isn’t a consistent Giannis stopper, his ability to throw him off mentally and physically makes him a notable pest in one-on-one situations.
Case 7: OG Anunoby – The Silent Neutralizer
OG Anunoby, now with the New York Knicks after years with the Toronto Raptors, is another wing defender whose length and versatility have troubled Giannis. At 6’7” with a 7’2” wingspan, Anunoby combines size, strength, and lateral quickness to stay with Giannis on drives and contest shots.
Example: January 2023 – Raptors vs. Bucks
In a January 2023 game, Anunoby was the primary defender on Giannis for stretches. Giannis finished with 28 points, but Anunoby’s defense forced him into a 10-for-21 shooting night. In one key sequence late in the third quarter, Giannis tried to bulldoze Anunoby in the post, but OG held his position, forcing a fadeaway jumper that missed. Later, Anunoby’s quick recovery blocked a Giannis transition layup, a rare sight given Giannis’s finishing ability.
Why It Works: Anunoby’s length disrupts Giannis’s driving lanes, and his discipline keeps him from biting on fakes. His quiet, no-nonsense approach contrasts with flashier defenders, but his effectiveness is undeniable when matched up with Giannis.
Case 8: P.J. Tucker – The Veteran Anchor
P.J. Tucker, a journeyman forward known for his toughness, has faced Giannis numerous times, most notably during his stints with the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks (ironically, as Giannis’s teammate in 2021). At 6’5”, Tucker relies on strength, positioning, and sheer will to battle bigger players.
Example: May 2021 – Heat vs. Bucks (Playoffs, Game 3)
During the 2021 playoffs, Tucker was Miami’s primary Giannis defender in their first-round series. In Game 3, Giannis scored 26 points but shot just 8-for-18, with Tucker hounding him relentlessly. In one memorable play, Giannis tried to back Tucker down in the post, but Tucker dug in, forced a double-team, and caused a turnover. Tucker’s physicality kept Giannis from getting clean looks close to the basket, limiting him to 4-for-9 in the paint.
Why It Works: Tucker’s low center of gravity and veteran savvy allow him to body up Giannis without fouling out. His experience facing Giannis in practice (during their Bucks tenure) also gave him insight into Giannis’s moves, making him a crafty individual stopper when motivated.
These cases show that while Giannis remains a matchup nightmare in the regular season, certain players can exploit specific weaknesses or tendencies. Brooks brings chaos and physicality, Anunoby offers length and poise, and Tucker provides grit and IQ. Most teams simply don’t bother in the regular season because the way Giannis attacks the paint is simply too dangerous physically and why risk injury?
What These Examples Reveal
These instances highlight a few common threads in stopping Giannis:
1. Physicality and Length: Players like Davis, Jones, and Jackson use their size and reach to contest shots Giannis usually finishes with ease.
2. Anticipation and IQ: Green and Adebayo excel at reading Giannis’s moves, staying a step ahead to disrupt his rhythm.
3. Discipline: Avoiding fouls is crucial, as Giannis is one of the league’s best at getting to the line. These defenders stay vertical and use their bodies wisely.
While these players have had success in individual matchups, stopping Giannis entirely remains a team effort. Double-teams, help defense, and schematic adjustments still play a major role. However, the emergence of one-on-one defenders capable of holding their own against him signals a shift. As Giannis ages (he turned 30 in December 2024) and the league adapts, his dominance may face more challenges from savvy defenders who’ve studied his game.
Giannis is done evolving. He hasn’t really added a more reliable mid-range game or improved his playmaking. He is not forcing defenders to respect his jumper and passing. The cat-and-mouse game continues, but for now, players like Green, Davis, Adebayo, Jones, and Jackson have shown that the Greek Freak isn’t invincible. The question is: can Giannis respond to this growing resistance?
Isaiah Hartenstein’s strong performances against Giannis Antetokounmpo regardless of what team he plays on can be attributed to a combination of his physical attributes, defensive versatility, and basketball IQ, which align well with the challenges of guarding a player like Giannis. Hartenstein, standing at 7 feet with a solid frame, has the size and strength to at least contest Giannis’s drives to the basket, even if stopping him entirely is a tall order for anyone. His length and mobility allow him to stay in front of Giannis on some possessions, forcing the two-time MVP to work harder for his points. His familiarity with Giannis, having faced him multiple times across different teams (Rockets, Knicks, and now Thunder), might also play a role, giving him insight into tendencies and how to counter them. In other words, Giannis is pretty predictable and it no longer takes a “wall” to stop him, just one defender with higher IQ than him. Which isn’t hard to find!
First, Giannis’s reliance on driving and rim pressure can be mitigated by Hartenstein’s size and rim protection. Giannis thrives when he gets a runway to the basket, using his speed and Eurostep to blow by defenders in easy matchups or when they don’t care. But Hartenstein, at 7 feet with a 7’2” wingspan, clogs the paint effectively. Giannis, who takes over 50% of his shots in the restricted area, can find his usual efficiency in easier games dip when Hartenstein meets him at the rim or forces him to settle for contested mid-range pull-ups—where Giannis shoots just 39% this year. Again tonight he was pathetic from mid range, that was a marketing myth created in an easy game stretch.
Second, Giannis’s outside shooting remains a work in progress. His three-point percentage hovers around 28% for his career, and this season it’s even lower, yet another thing that has got worse in Giannis’ game. Hartenstein, like many smart defenders, can sag off Giannis beyond the arc, daring him to shoot while staying positioned to contest drives. Giannis often passes up those open looks or misses them, reducing his scoring versatility against a disciplined big who doesn’t overcommit.
Third, Giannis’s playmaking can be disrupted by Hartenstein’s high basketball IQ. Hartenstein reads passing lanes well and uses his length to tip or intercept Giannis’s kickouts to shooters, especially in help defense. Let’s face it, Giannis is a terrible passer, in fact the worse in the league most seasons. This forces Giannis into tougher decisions—either take a lower-percentage shot or risk a turnover.
Giannis’s game thrives on physical dominance, but Hartenstein’s strength and low center of gravity make it harder for Giannis to bully his way through. Unlike smaller defenders Giannis can overpower or slower bigs he can outrun, Hartenstein’s blend of agility and mass lets him body up without fouling as much—Giannis averages fewer free-throw attempts in some of these matchups (e.g., 8.6 FTA vs. Hartenstein’s teams recently compared to his season average of 11.3).
Hartenstein’s physical tools and the Thunder’s top-ranked defensive scheme (allowing just 103.1 points per 100 possessions) amplify the impact of Giannis’s many limitations—like his inconsistent jumper and predictability—making those games feel like more of a grind for him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, an NBA champion and a Finals MVPAt 30 years old (as of March 11, 2025), the Milwaukee Bucks superstar has already cemented himself as a future Hall of Famer. His combination of size, speed —7 feet of pure chaos barreling down the court, dunking on helpless defenders, and racking up accolades. But beneath the highlight reels and the Greek Freak mythology, there’s a lingering critique that doesn’t get enough airtime: Is Giannis the ultimate stat-padder in today’s NBA?
Before you grab your pitchforks, hear me out. I am simply asking whether some of his eye-popping numbers come with an asterisk—not because he’s cheating, but because of how he plays, how the Bucks use him, and how the modern NBA’s pace-and-space era amplifies his stat lines. Let’s break it down.
What Is Stat-Padding, Anyway?
First, let’s define the term. Stat-padding is when a player prioritizes personal numbers over team success, often chasing stats in ways that don’t necessarily align with winning basketball. It’s the guy who hunts rebounds instead of contesting a shot, or the one who holds the ball for an extra assist rather than making the simple play. In Giannis’s case, the accusation isn’t that he’s simply selfish but that his style of play and the Bucks’ system inflate his stats in an effort to make him look superhuman.
Critics argue that Giannis’s gaudy box scores—think 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists on a random Tuesday against the Wizards—sometimes mask inefficiencies or situational quirks that pad his numbers.
The Rebound Machine: Effort or Opportunism?
Giannis has averaged double-digit boards in six of his last seven seasons, peaking at 13.6 per game in 2022-23. For a guy who often plays like a point guard in a center’s body, that’s insane. But here’s the catch: A significant chunk of those rebounds are uncontested.
In the Bucks’ defensive scheme, Giannis often roams as a free safety, lurking in the paint or near the baseline to clean up misses. Smaller guards and wings box out, while Giannis swoops in for the grab. It’s a smart strategy—maximize your best athlete’s impact—but it also means he’s feasting on rebounds that don’t require much resistance. Compare that to traditional bigs like Nikola Jokić or Joel Embiid, who wrestle with opposing centers for position. Giannis’s rebounding totals are legit, but the context suggests he’s in prime position to rack them up.
And then there’s the offensive glass. Giannis is a master at tapping out his own misses—those wild, spinning drives that don’t always go in but give him a second chance. It’s a skill, no doubt, but it also boosts his rebounding numbers in a way that feels almost self-fulfilling. Miss a layup, grab the board, go back up—boom, another double-double.
Points in Garbage Time: The Silent Accumulator
Giannis’s scoring is where the stat-padding argument gets spicier. He’s averaged over 30 points per game in multiple seasons, including a career-high 32.1 in 2022-23. His efficiency is off the charts, with a true shooting percentage that hovers around 60% most years. But dig into the game logs, and you’ll notice a pattern: Giannis loves to pile on points when the game is already decided.
Take a typical Bucks blowout. With Milwaukee up 20 in the fourth quarter, Giannis often stays on the floor longer than necessary, bulldozing backups for easy buckets. It’s not that he’s begging Coach Bud (or now Doc Rivers) to keep him in—it’s that the Bucks don’t always pull him early, and Giannis doesn’t exactly coast. He’s relentless, which is part of his charm, but it also means he’s snagging 4-6 extra points in garbage time that turn a solid 26-point night into a sexy 32-point headline.
Contrast this with someone like LeBron James, who’s mastered the art of stat accumulation but often sits out entire fourth quarters in blowouts. Giannis’s motor is a blessing and a curse—it wins him MVPs, but it also fuels the stat-padding narrative.
The Assist Hunt: Turnover-Prone Playmaking
Giannis’s evolution into a playmaker has been remarkable, if catastrophic for his team. From a raw prospect who barely passed the ball in his early years, he’s become a legitimate hub, averaging 5-7 assists per game in recent seasons. The Bucks run their offense through him at the top of the key, letting him survey the floor and kick out to shooters like Damian Lillard or Khris Middleton.
But here’s the rub: Giannis isn’t a natural passer. His assist numbers are impressive, yet they come with a cost—turnovers. He’s averaged over 3 turnovers per game every year since 2017-18, peaking at 3.7 in 2022-23. Giannis is worse in the league almost every year in assists to turnovers! Many of those are sloppy passes or charges from forcing drives into crowded lanes. Critics argue that Giannis sometimes holds the ball too long, fishing for an assist instead of making the quick read. It’s not blatant stat-chasing like Russell Westbrook in his triple-double heyday, but it’s enough to raise an eyebrow and it surely damages his team’s chances of winning close games.
Watch a Bucks game, and you’ll see it: Giannis dribbles into a double-team, waits for a cutter or shooter to pop open, and either threads a highlight-reel pass or coughs it up. The assists pile up, but so do the mistakes. Is it stat-padding if it’s unintentional? Maybe not, but the numbers still get a boost.
Free Throws: The Hack-a-Giannis Advantage
Giannis lives at the free-throw line. He’s led the league in free-throw attempts multiple times, including 2020-21 (10.2 per game) and 2022-23 (10.6). His bruising style draws fouls like moths to a flame, and it’s a huge part of his scoring output. But—and this is a big but—he’s not great at converting them. His career free-throw percentage sits at a pedestrian 70%, dipping as low as 63% in 2023-24.
So why does this matter for the stat-padding debate? Because even when he misses, Giannis benefits. Defenses foul him late in games to stop the clock (the Hack-a-Giannis strategy), giving him more trips to the line and more chances to pad his point total. A 6-for-12 night from the stripe still adds 6 points to the box score, even if it’s ugly. It’s not his fault teams foul him, but it’s another quirk that inflates his stats without requiring much finesse. In fact Giannis is shooting the free throws worse than ever in his career and still benefits in terms of stat padding for points like this!
The Counterargument: Winning Trumps All
Now, let’s flip the script. Giannis’s supporters—and there are many—would argue that this whole stat-padding narrative is nonsense. The man won a championship in 2021, dropping 50 points in Game 6 of the Finals to clinch it. He’s a Defensive Player of the Year (2020) who anchors an elite defense. His stats don’t come at the expense of winning; they fuel it. The Bucks have been a top seed in the East for years, and Giannis’s dominance is the reason.
If he’s padding stats, they’d say, it’s incidental—a byproduct of his relentless effort and the Bucks’ reliance on him. He doesn’t chase triple-doubles like Westbrook or milk meaningless games like some benchwarmers. He plays to win, and the numbers follow. Plus, in an era where load management is king, Giannis rarely sits out—he’s logged over 2,000 minutes in most seasons since 2017. To me that is just them admitting that he stat pads. Because more and more, after a decade and more in the NBA it seems like the championship was a huge lucky break. And Giannis only cares for stat padding in the regular season.
The Verdict: Ultimate Stat-Padder or Just Unstoppable?
So, is Giannis the ultimate stat-padder? The truth lies in the gray area. His stats are inflated by his role, his physical gifts, and the Bucks’ system, and he obviously and clearly stat pads very often. He’s out there gaming the box score like a fantasy basketball addict, hell Wikipedia has him in the definition of stat padding!
If we’re ranking stat-padders, Giannis is surely on the top tier. And his numbers are so absurd they invite scrutiny.
Selfishness is one of those traits that’s universally understood yet endlessly debated. It’s the act of prioritizing yourself—sometimes at the expense of others—and it carries a weight that can feel both empowering and guilt-inducing, depending on the context. But how does a concept like selfishness translate across languages and cultures? Today, let’s dive into the idea of selfishness and explore how it might find expression in Greek, a language rich with nuance and history.
What Does “Selfish” Really Mean?
In English, “selfish” describes someone who’s excessively concerned with their own needs, desires, or benefits, often disregarding others. It’s got a negative vibe—think of someone hoarding the last slice of pizza or refusing to share notes before a big test. But selfishness isn’t always black-and-white. In small doses, it can be self-preservation, a necessary boundary. The trick is balance, right?
Now, translating a loaded word like “selfish” into another language isn’t just about finding a dictionary equivalent—it’s about capturing the essence, the cultural undertones. Greek, with its ancient roots and philosophical legacy, offers some fascinating options.
“Selfish” in Greek: The Linguistic Breakdown
Greek doesn’t have a single, perfect one-word match for “selfish” that carries all its English baggage. Instead, the translation depends on the shade of meaning you’re chasing. Here are a few contenders:
Εγωιστής (Egoistís) – This is the most direct translation, meaning “egoist” or “selfish person.” It comes from “εγώ” (egó), meaning “I” or “self,” and it’s a noun that labels someone who’s all about themselves. Think of it as the guy who’d rather win an argument than keep the peace. The adjective form, εγωιστικός (egoistikós), works for describing selfish behavior—like “That was a selfish move.”
Φίλαυτος (Fílavtos) – This one’s a bit more poetic. It breaks down to “φίλος” (fílos), meaning “friend” or “lover,” and “αὐτός” (avtós), meaning “self.” So, fílavtos literally means “self-loving.” It’s got a vibe that could swing positive (self-care, anyone?) or negative (narcissism), depending on how it’s used. In ancient texts, it sometimes pops up to describe excessive self-regard.
Αυτοτελής (Aftotelís) – This term is trickier. It means “self-sufficient” or “independent,” from “αὐτός” (self) and “τέλος” (end or purpose). While it’s not “selfish” in the negative sense, it hints at someone who operates for their own sake, which can overlap with selfish traits in certain contexts.
Ιδιοτελής (Idiotelís) – Here’s a juicy one. It translates to “self-interested” or “self-serving,” derived from “ἴδιος” (ídios), meaning “private” or “personal,” and “τέλος” (purpose). Idiotelís carries a stronger whiff of ulterior motives—like someone helping you out only because it benefits them. It’s selfishness with a calculated edge.
Cultural Nuances: Selfishness Through a Greek Lens
Greek culture, shaped by everything from ancient philosophy to modern community values, adds layers to these words. Take the Stoics or Epicureans—philosophers who wrestled with self-interest versus the common good. A term like fílavtos might’ve sparked a debate: Is loving yourself a virtue or a vice? Meanwhile, idiotelís feels more transactional, less forgivable in a society that often prizes hospitality and collective harmony.
In modern Greek, calling someone egoistís is a straightforward jab—it’s not a compliment. But the language’s flexibility lets you tweak the tone. Pair egoistikós with a playful nudge, and it might soften the blow: “Μην είσαι τόσο εγωιστικός!” (“Don’t be so selfish!”) could be a tease among friends.
Why It Matters
Words shape how we think about concepts, and selfishness is no exception. In English, it’s a blunt label; in Greek, the options let you zoom in on intent, degree, or even morality. Are you a fílavtos who’s just a little too into yourself, or an idiotelís scheming for personal gain? The choice of word paints a picture.
Next time you’re pondering human nature—or maybe just annoyed at someone hogging the spotlight—try tossing a Greek twist into your vocabulary. It’s a fun way to see selfishness from a fresh angle, and who knows? Maybe it’ll spark a little self-reflection, too.
The Case for Giannis Antetokounmpo as an Extremely Selfish Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” is celebrated as a two-time MVP, Finals MVP, and one of the NBA’s well known players. Fans and analysts alike laud his relentless drive and team-first mentality. But beneath the surface of his glittering accolades lies a player whose style, decisions, and demeanour paint a different picture—one of extreme selfishness. As of March 11, 2025, Giannis’s career offers plenty of evidence to suggest that his pursuit of personal glory often overshadows the collective good. Let’s break it down.
The Ball-Hogging Bulldozer
Watch Giannis play, and one thing becomes clear: the ball is his, and he’s not sharing it unless he has to. His game is built around bulldozing to the rim, leveraging his 6-foot-11 frame and freakish athleticism to overpower defenders. Sure, he averages over 5 assists per game across his career, but those numbers mask a truth—most of those passes come only after he’s exhausted every option to score himself. Teammates often stand around, reduced to spectators, as Giannis barrels through traffic, hunting his own shot. His usage rate consistently ranks among the league’s highest, hovering around 33% in recent seasons, a stat that screams “me-first.”
Contrast this with true team players like Nikola Jokić, whose playmaking elevates everyone, or Stephen Curry, who thrives off-ball to create space. Giannis, meanwhile, demands the rock, and when he doesn’t have it, he’s visibly disengaged—sulking on the wing or jogging back on defense. His heliocentric style suffocates Milwaukee’s offense, turning skilled players like Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard into glorified spot-up shooters. Selfish? You bet.
The Free-Throw Fiasco
Then there’s the free-throw routine. Giannis’s agonizingly slow approach—often exceeding the 10-second shot clock— isn’t just a quirk; it’s a selfish power play. He holds the game hostage, forcing everyone—teammates, opponents, refs, and fans—to wait on his terms. In the 2021 Finals, he famously airballed free throws and still took his sweet time, as if the spotlight mattered more than efficiency. Even as he’s improved to a respectable 70% shooter by 2025, the deliberate pace persists, a subtle flex of control that prioritizes his comfort over the flow of the game.
Chasing Stats Over Wins
Giannis’s stat lines are gaudy—30 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists—but dig deeper, and you’ll see a player obsessed with padding numbers. Take his 2019-20 MVP season: he averaged 29.5 points and 13.6 rebounds in just 30.4 minutes per game, often sitting out fourth quarters because the Bucks were blowing teams out. Sounds impressive, right? Or is it a calculated move to juice per-minute stats while avoiding the grind of close games? When the stakes rise in the playoffs, his efficiency often dips—look at his 41.5% field goal percentage in the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals loss to Boston. The stat-chasing disappears when it’s not easy.
And don’t forget the triple-doubles. Giannis has racked up over 40 by March 2025, but some feel forced. In a 2023 game against Washington, he grabbed a meaningless rebound in the final seconds to hit 10, prompting criticism that he cared more about the box score than the win. Selfishness isn’t always loud—it’s in the quiet pursuit of personal milestones.
The Loyalty Myth
Giannis loves to play the loyal hero, signing a supermax extension with Milwaukee in 2020 and preaching about staying with one team. Noble, until you realize it’s a selfish choice cloaked as virtue. By staying in a small market, he ensures he’s the undisputed king—no co-star can outshine him, no big-city pressure can expose him. He rejected joining forces with other superstars in Miami or Golden State, where he’d have to share the stage. Instead, he’s built a Bucks roster around his game, forcing Milwaukee to trade for Damian Lillard in 2023 to appease him, only to underutilize Lillard’s playmaking in favor of Giannis’s iso-heavy style. Loyalty? Or a calculated move to keep the throne?
The Defensive Ego
Yes, Giannis won Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, but even that reeks of selfishness. He often gambles for highlight-reel swats, leaving teammates to clean up when he misses. His four All-Defensive First Team nods (through 2022) are impressive, but his effort wanes when the Bucks are out of contention. In blowout losses, he’s been caught jogging back, more concerned with conserving energy for his next offensive explosion than locking down. A true team defender sacrifices stats for the system—Giannis sacrifices the system for his stats.
The NBA Cup Obsession
In 2024, Giannis led the Bucks to the NBA Cup title and snagged the tournament MVP with a triple-double (26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists). Fans cheered, but critics saw a player desperate to add another trophy to his mantle. He dominated the ball in the final against Oklahoma City, taking 22 shots while Lillard settled for 8. The Bucks won, but it was Giannis’s show—teammates were props in his quest for another accolade. His two All-NBA Cup Team selections (2023, 2024) further fuel the narrative: he thrives in spotlight moments that boost his legacy, even in a midseason gimmick.
The International Spotlight
Even with Greece, Giannis’s selfishness shines. As the flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 EuroBasket scoring champ (29.3 points per game), he’s the face of Greek basketball. But his national team performances—like a 41-point outburst in a 2022 loss to Serbia—prioritize individual heroics over team success. Greece hasn’t medaled, yet Giannis soaks up the praise. It’s telling that his Olympic Qualifiers Player of the Tournament award in 2024 came in a tournament Greece won, but only to qualify—not to win gold.
The Verdict
Peel back the layers, and you see a player consumed by self-interest—hogging the ball, chasing stats, controlling the narrative. His “team-first” persona is a mirage; every move, from his free-throw dawdling to his Milwaukee loyalty, serves Giannis first. As of March 11, 2025, the Greek Freak’s legacy is undeniable—but so is his selfishness. Love him or hate him, he’s playing for one name: Antetokounmpo.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is not the most sociable player and for sure not everyone in the league is a fan. Over the years, Giannis has rubbed many players the wrong way, sparking some notable beefs. Whether it’s on-court clashes or off-court comments here’s a rundown of the players who’ve come public about issues with Giannis—and why.
1. Chris Paul: The Trip That Ticked Off Giannis
Let’s start with a recent flare-up. In a December 2024 game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the San Antonio Spurs, Chris Paul—veteran point guard and notorious competitor—got into it with Giannis. During a play, Paul was called for a foul after making contact with Giannis, who hit the deck hard. After the game, Giannis waited near half-court to confront Paul, and the two exchanged words. Giannis later told reporters, “If I feel like you’re putting my livelihood, my career, and my body in jeopardy, enough is enough, brother. I have a family to feed.” He even hinted at feeling tripped or pushed, though he didn’t outright accuse Paul of dirty play.
Why the Beef? Paul’s a scrappy, old-school player known for getting under opponents’ skin. Giannis, with his physical, relentless style, isn’t one to back down either. This incident seems like a clash of competitive spirits—Paul’s crafty veteran tricks versus Giannis’s no-nonsense intensity. Plus, Giannis’s post-game comments suggest he felt disrespected, which could keep this tension simmering if they meet again. We all know that Giannis is more often than anyone the dangerous one in the paint, driving onto others with zero ability to change direction, or flaying his elbows. And more than once he has made dangerous 3point close outs leading to opponent injuries.
2. Dennis Schröder: Standing Over the Freak
Back in March 2024, Dennis Schröder, then with the Nets, had a run-in with Giannis that got heated. During a game, Schröder undercut Giannis on an alley-oop attempt, sending him crashing to the floor. Not content to leave it there, Schröder stood over Giannis—not once, but twice—prompting Bucks teammate Jae Crowder to step in. Giannis eventually got up and made it clear he wasn’t happy about the disrespect. But again, Giannis had played his usual bully ball and got away with a whole lot of offensive fouls that the officials chose not to see before that.
Why the Beef? Schröder’s a fiery competitor who’s never shied away from trash talk or physicality. Standing over Giannis was a bold move, likely meant to assert dominance or rattle him. For Giannis, who prides himself on playing hard and earning respect, this felt like a personal slight. It’s less about a deep rivalry and more about a one-off moment of bravado that Giannis didn’t let slide. And because Giannis is socially awkward it seems unlikely to be worked over with time.
3. PJ Tucker: Foul-Baiting Frustration
In October 2023, a leaked audio clip surfaced of PJ Tucker calling out Giannis during a game. Tucker, then with the Clippers, was caught saying, “He hit me in my face, n****! I know his moves from the back of my head,” seemingly accusing Giannis of foul-baiting—drawing fouls with exaggerated contact. Tucker even snapped at teammate Paul Reed for trying to calm him down, showing how heated he was.
Why the Beef? Tucker’s a gritty defender who’s faced Giannis plenty of times, including during the Bucks’ 2021 championship run against Tucker’s Miami Heat. Giannis’s physical style and ability to draw fouls can frustrate opponents, especially tough defenders like Tucker who pride themselves on shutting stars down. This beef feels like a mix of on-court irritation and Tucker’s no-BS personality clashing with Giannis’s game. But mostly it is the very real fact that Giannis gets fouls given to him all the time for nothing.
4. Gilbert Arenas: Off-Court Criticism
Gilbert Arenas hasn’t faced Giannis on the court (he retired before Giannis’s rise), but he’s had plenty to say off it. In 2022, Arenas went on a rant, claiming Giannis “doesn’t understand basketball yet” and questioning his greatness. He argued Giannis relies too much on athleticism over skill, saying, “He doesn’t really understand how to be great, how to train his body,” and pointing to his lower minute totals compared to legends like LeBron or Iverson.
Why the Beef? This isn’t a personal feud but a critique rooted in Arenas’s perspective as a former player. Some see it as jealousy—Giannis has the accolades Arenas never got—or just a hot take for attention. Giannis’s unorthodox path (late start in basketball, raw talent turned superstar) might not fit Arenas’s view of “traditional” greatness, sparking this one-sided beef. Anyway you look at it, Arenas has valid points.
5. Jimmy Butler: Playoff Rivalry Turned Personal?
Jimmy Butler and Giannis have had their share of battles, especially during the Bucks-Heat playoff matchups. The most notable came in 2023, when Butler’s Heat upset Giannis’s top-seeded Bucks in the first round. Post-series, Giannis’s famous “There’s no failure in sports” speech showed his frustration, and Butler’s relentless trash-talking and scoring (like his 56-point Game 4) added fuel to the fire. They’ve had tense moments before, like a 2020 shoulder-check incident.
Why the Beef? This is more of a competitive rivalry than personal hate. Butler thrives on proving doubters wrong, and taking down Giannis—the face of the Bucks—was a statement. Giannis, meanwhile, wants to reclaim dominance over a Heat team that’s been a thorn in his side. Their alpha personalities guarantee fireworks whenever they meet. And of course Giannis “no failure in sports” speech was complete rubbish that made zero sense.
Why Do Players Beef with Giannis?
So, what’s the common thread? Giannis’s physicality and success make him a target. His style—barreling to the rim, drawing fouls, dominating both ends—can frustrate opponents who feel powerless or outmuscled. Giannis doesn’t back down—he’ll call out disrespect even if he has imagined it due to his many psychological complexes, as seen with Paul and Schröder, which keeps these beefs alive.
“Giannis is a child” of course the classic description. The whole game ball incident against the Pacers…it is a long list of infantile behavior on Giannis’ part. Are these full-blown feuds? Not always. Some are heat-of-the-moment clashes, others are one-sided gripes. But one thing’s clear: Giannis’s presence stirs strong reactions. The zero technique approach of Giannis is a deep insult to all NBA players who spend years improving their skills. This is not going to get any better, especially with so much of the NBA media sucking up to Giannis completely unfairly (in the eyes of most other players). The players in this list are a very small sub set, the ones that have let it become public. But most would love to see him leave the NBA. His whole approach to the game is just wrong by NBA standards, he insults the game in the way he plays and acts, taking the wrong things too seriously and not being able to handle the important stuff like actually improving his game. Or connecting with players from other teams.
It is safe to assume most NBA players actually hate his guts and this is not going to improve with time.
Oh and Montrezl Harrell of course. Oh and Mario Hezonja. Oh and James Harden, Harden had a bombshell interview suggesting Giannis doesn’t have any skill as he is just seven feet tall and able to run and dunk the ball. The list never ends!
