Greek Freak Analyzed

Category: STRATEGY

  • Russell Westbrook Would Be a Disaster for the Bucks

    Russell Westbrook Would Be a Disaster for the Bucks

    With Russell Westbrook still sitting on the free-agent market after declining his player option with the Denver Nuggets, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins floated the idea that Milwaukee should swoop in and sign the 37-year-old veteran. On paper, it sounds intriguing: a win-now team desperate for backcourt stability after cutting ties with Damian Lillard, pairing Westbrook’s explosive energy with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance. But let’s pump the brakes. This isn’t just a questionable fit—it’s a recipe for regression that could derail the Bucks’ championship aspirations. It’s uglier than a mid-range brick in overtime.

    Westbrook’s Game in 2025: A Triple-Double Machine That’s Triple the Headache

    Westbrook’s résumé is legendary—NBA MVP, nine-time All-Star, all-time leader in triple-doubles. But at 37, his game has devolved into a highlight-reel sideshow with diminishing returns. In his final season with Denver (2024-25), he posted 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds across 75 games—solid bench numbers, sure. He still brings that manic energy, pushing the pace and crashing the glass like it’s 2017.

    The cracks, however, are canyon-sized. His field-goal percentage hovered around 44.9%, and his three-point shooting? A woeful 31.4% on low volume (just 2.1 attempts per game). That’s not “broken jumper” territory; that’s “defences dare you to shoot” territory. Add in his league-leading turnover rate among high-minute guards (3.2 per 36 minutes) and a defensive rating that drags units underwater, and you’ve got a player whose plus/minus has been negative for five straight seasons.

    Westbrook’s style—ball-dominant, paint-attacking, reluctant passer in crunch time—worked in limited roles with the Clippers and Nuggets, where he came off the bench. But starting him? That’s where the wheels fall off. He logged a usage rate north of 25% last year, jacking up contested twos and forcing the issue when smarter reads were available. For a Bucks team already questioning its backcourt rhythm, injecting Westbrook’s chaos would amplify the noise, not harmonize it.

    The Nightmare Fit: How Westbrook Would Break the Bucks’ Offence and Defence

    Let’s game this out. Imagine Porter Jr. (or whoever starts) sharing the floor with Westbrook in a two-PG lineup. Both are undersized (Porter at 6’4″, Westbrook at 6’3″), both love to handle, and neither shoots well enough from deep to punish switches. Result? A backcourt traffic jam that funnels everything into the mid-range—precisely what killed Milwaukee’s spacing last year. Giannis would feast on lobs and cuts, but Portis’ spot-up game gets neutralized, and others off-ball movement turns into a crawl.

    Offensively, Westbrook’s inefficiency would compound the Bucks’ issues. His true shooting percentage sat at 50.2% last season—below league average for guards—and he’d be chucking in high-leverage spots. Defensively? Forget it. Westbrook’s lateral quickness has eroded with age; opponents targeted him relentlessly in Denver, leading to a -4.1 net rating in his minutes. Pair that with Porter’s own defensive lapses, and Milwaukee’s perimeter D—already middling—becomes a sieve. The Eastern Conference is loaded with sharpshooters like Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, and Trae Young; Westbrook’s gambling for steals would leave Giannis in iso hell on the other end.

    Even in a bench role, it’s a mismatch. The Bucks need a microwave scorer or a true combo guard to spell Porter, not a volume creator who hogs touches from a second unit featuring Portis and Trent. As Brew Hoop astutely noted, “Milwaukee would be wise to pass” because Westbrook’s skill set doesn’t align with Doc Rivers’ preference for structured, ball-movement offenses. Rivers thrived with balanced units in Boston and Philly; Westbrook’s heliocentric approach would feel like a step backward.

    The Greek Freak has chinks in his armour—flaws that have been dissected ad nauseam, from his inconsistent free-throw shooting (hovering around 71% career, with dips in high-pressure moments) to his limited outside game (a career 28.9% from three, forcing defences to pack the paint). Add in occasional half-court stagnation, where his ball-handling can lead to turnovers if lanes aren’t open, and play making lapses under duress, and you’ve got vulnerabilities that savvy teams exploit in the playoffs. Now, imagine pairing him with Russell Westbrook, a guard whose declining skill set would turn these weaknesses into glaring liabilities, potentially derailing Milwaukee’s offence and exhausting their star.

    At the core of the mismatch is spacing—or the lack thereof. Giannis thrives when the floor is stretched, allowing him to euro-step through open driving lanes without meeting a wall of defenders. Westbrook, however, is a non-shooter from deep, converting just 31.4% on minimal attempts last season, which invites opponents to sag off him and dare the brick. This defensive strategy would clog the paint even more than usual, forcing Giannis into contested drives or pull-up jumpers—shots he’s notoriously inefficient at. We’ve seen this movie before: In the 2025 playoffs, without Damian Lillard’s gravity pulling defenders out, Giannis’ efficiency dipped in half-court sets, with turnovers spiking as he tried to force plays. Westbrook’s presence would exacerbate this, turning Giannis’ drives into a mosh pit and highlighting his reluctance (or inability) to punish from outside. Defenses could essentially play 5-on-4 in the lane, neutralizing Giannis’ greatest strength and pushing him toward more free throws—where his mental blocks and mechanical issues often rear their head, as evidenced by his sub-60% FT% in key 2025 EuroBasket games.

    Defensively, the ripple effects would be just as damaging. Westbrook’s eroded lateral quickness and gambling tendencies have made him a target for opponents, often resulting in blow-bys and open looks that require help-side rotations. Giannis, already Milwaukee’s defensive anchor as a roaming rim protector, would be forced to cover more ground, cleaning up Westbrook’s messes while expending extra energy. This added workload could accelerate fatigue for the 30-year-old superstar, who’s shown signs of wear in recent seasons, and amplify his occasional lapses in perimeter containment—another subtle weakness when he’s stretched thin. Moreover, Westbrook’s ball-dominant style and high turnover rate (3.2 per 36 minutes) would disrupt rhythm, potentially reducing Giannis’ touches in favourable spots and forcing him into more isolation creation, where his playmaking vision isn’t elite. In a post-Lillard Bucks backcourt already lacking facilitators, this chaos would spotlight Giannis’ half-court limitations, turning him from a dominant force into a frustrated one-man army.

    Chemistry Red Flags: Leadership Lessons from Westbrook’s Past

    Beyond the tape, there’s the intangibles. Westbrook is a warrior—fiercely competitive and vocal—but his intensity has rubbed teammates the wrong way. Remember his Lakers tenure? What started as a “Big Three” experiment devolved into finger-pointing and a first-round exit. Perkins himself admitted to warning Westbrook about his “cancerous” behaviour back then, a comment that ended their friendship. In Denver, he was a positive vet, but that was as a reserve. Thrust him into a starting role on a pressure-cooker team like Milwaukee, and the alpha clashes could erupt—especially with a young, unproven Porter Jr. needing guidance, not competition.

    The Bucks can’t afford distractions. With a win-now core entering its mid-30s window, they need cohesion, not controversy.

    Steer Clear, Milwaukee

    Russell Westbrook deserves a ring and a graceful fade-out on a contender’s bench. But the Bucks? They’re not that team—not with their spacing starvation, defensive vulnerabilities, and need for harmony. Pairing him with this roster wouldn’t unlock potential; it’d expose flaws. As Reddit’s NBA hive mind put it, Westbrook’s playstyle “only works on one team in the league,” and Milwaukee ain’t it. Doc Rivers and Jon Horst have built a contender; don’t let nostalgia torch it.

  • How Turkey obliterated Giannis. And almost anyone can do the same (when it counts)

    How Turkey obliterated Giannis. And almost anyone can do the same (when it counts)

    The basketball world was buzzing after the EuroBasket 2025 semifinals on September 12, when Turkey pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Greece 82-74 to advance to the finals for the first time in 24 years. At the centre of the drama? None other than Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and perennial NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate, who was held to a shocking 12 points on 6-of-13 shooting. For a player who is presented as unguardable throughout his career—averaging over 25 points per game in the tournament up to that point—this was a defensive clinic that exposed vulnerabilities in the Greek Freak’s game.

    Turkey, under coach Ergin Ataman, didn’t just defend Giannis; they dissected him with a blend of physicality, teamwork, and tactical precision. This wasn’t a fluke—it was a blueprint that echoes strategies we’ve seen (and debated) in the NBA for years. Three years of early playoff exits, three years of losing even in the regular season against teams that care enough to defend him like this.

    The EuroBasket Breakdown: Turkey’s Defensive Symphony

    Greece entered the semifinal as favourites, largely on Giannis’s reputation. By sheer luck of the bracket however Greece had not faced any serious opponents. Giannis skillfully avoid playing against Nurkic because he knew what would happen. (They lost anyway, Giannis avoided looking foolish though.) The recipe is simple:

    1. Disrupt the Delivery: Pressure the Perimeter

    Turkey’s first line of attack was simple but ruthless: make it hard for Greece to get the ball to Giannis. Guards Sehmus Hazer and Shane Larkin (yes, the ex-Celtics sharpshooter now starring for Anadolu Efes) hounded the inbounders and ball-handlers, using quick hands and relentless pressure to force 12 turnovers in the first half alone. Cedi Osman, the NBA veteran forward, chipped in by switching onto Giannis in open court, denying easy touches and forcing him to receive the ball further from the rim than he prefers.

    This tactic preyed on one of Giannis’s subtler weaknesses: his ball-handling under duress. At 6’11” with a long stride, he’s a transition monster, but Turkey’s transition defence was lockdown—limiting fast breaks and keeping Greece in a half-court grind. As Alperen Sengun later noted in a post-game interview, “We knew if we let him bring the ball up freely, it was over. So we trapped early and often.”

    2. One-on-One Anchor with Help on Demand: Osmani’s Heroics

    Enter Ercan Osmani, Turkey’s 6’10” power forward and the unsung hero of the night. Osmani drew the primary assignment, bodying Giannis in the post and contesting every move with physicality that matched the Freak’s ferocity. But this wasn’t hero-ball defence; it was a relay. Whenever Giannis put the ball on the floor inside the three-point line, the paint collapsed. Sengun, the Houston Rockets’ rising star centre, rotated over as the “wall,” swatting at drives and contesting lobs without leaving his man exposed.

    Shane Larkin summed it up perfectly in a post-game breakdown: “The plan was to collapse whenever he raised that ball to drive. Force the kick-out, then rotate hard on the perimeter. We accepted threes from their guards—guys like [Thomas] Walkup aren’t lights-out shooters.” This “shrink the floor” approach turned Giannis into a passer and like Sengun had said before the game “Giannis is not a great passer.”

    3. Zone and Traps: The Triple-Team Fortress

    When Giannis did touch the ball in his sweet spot—the low block or mid-post—Turkey flipped the script to a hybrid zone. Double-teams (often Osman and Sengun) quickly escalated to triples, with a third defender (frequently Osman circling back or Hazer digging in) forming what one reporter called a “fortress wall.” Passing lanes were clogged, leading to strips and turnovers. Physicality was key: Turkey played with NBA-level bump-and-turn, wearing Giannis down over 35 minutes.

    The result? Giannis, who thrives on momentum and space, looked frustrated—good for just 12 points, 12 rebounds, and those 5 assists. Turkey’s bench erupted after a key sequence in the third quarter where a triple-team forced a kick-out that sailed wide, sealing the momentum shift. It was defense as performance art: collective, adaptive, and unrelenting.

    Why This Works in the NBA: Timeless Principles Meet Pro Pace

    EuroBasket might play at a slower tempo than the NBA’s breakneck speed, but Turkey’s blueprint is straight out of the league’s defensive playbook. Giannis’s dominance—elite athleticism, length, and finishing—makes him a matchup nightmare, but he’s not invincible. His game relies on driving lanes, transition opportunities, and post-ups, all of which can be neutralized with smart team defense. Here’s why Turkey’s tactics aren’t just FIBA-specific:

    The “Wall” Strategy: A Proven NBA Staple

    Coined during the 2021 playoffs when the Heat and Nets tried (and sometimes succeeded) in slowing Giannis, “The Wall” involves funneling him baseline or middle with on-ball pressure, then crowding the paint with help defenders. Turkey executed this to perfection, much like the Miami Heat’s 2020 bubble run, where Bam Adebayo and a rotating cast of bigs forced Giannis into 5+ turnovers per game. In the NBA, where spacing is tighter due to better shooters, teams live with contested threes from role players (e.g., Bucks’ Pat Connaughton) rather than letting Giannis bulldoze to the rim.

    Physicality and Rotations: Exploiting Fatigue

    The NBA’s 82-game grind amplifies Turkey’s physical approach. Giannis averages 34+ minutes per game; constant doubles wear him down, forcing passes that expose slower rotations. Data from the 2024-25 season shows Giannis’s efficiency dips 15% against teams that trap him 20%+ of possessions (per Second Spectrum tracking). Turkey’s zone hybrids mirror what the Warriors used in their March 2025 win over Milwaukee, where Draymond Green orchestrated rotations to limit Giannis to 18 points.

    Transition Denial: The Silent Killer

    FIBA rules limit fast breaks slightly, but the principle holds: Deny outlet passes and force half-court sets. In the NBA, where Giannis scores 40% of his points in transition, teams like the Celtics use length (Tatum, Brown) to mirror this, dropping Milwaukee’s transition efficiency by 12 points per 100 possessions in recent matchups.

    In short, Turkey’s win proves that with discipline, no star is untouchable—especially one whose jumper (still a work in progress at 29.5% from three in 2025) keeps defenses honest but not terrified. After all as I have explained at length and with much statistical proof, Giannis has no mid range when it matters.

    NBA Defenders Who’ve Cracked the Code: A Hall of Fame Lineup

    Over Giannis’s decade in the league, only a select few have consistently turned him mortal. These aren’t just stat-line suppressors; they’re tacticians who force the Bucks to play “away” from their star. Here’s a rundown of the most effective, based on playoff and regular-season matchups (points per possession allowed under 1.00, per NBA Advanced Stats):

    Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) – The Gold Standard

    Bam’s the closest thing to a 1v1 kryptonite. In the 2020 and 2023 playoffs, he held Giannis to 22.4 PPG on 48% shooting, using his lateral quickness to stay in front and strength to absorb contact. Fun fact: Adebayo’s the only defender who’s outscored Giannis in head-to-head minutes while forcing 2.1 turnovers per game. Why it works? Bam funnels him without help, buying time for rotations.

    Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – The Post Enforcer

    Embiid’s size (7’0″, 280 lbs) and IQ make him a post-up nightmare. In 2023 Eastern Conference Semis, Philly’s scheme with Embiid as the anchor dropped Giannis to 19.8 PPG. He’s physical enough to bang without fouling and mobile enough to recover on drives—key against Giannis’s euro-steps.

    Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) – The Chaos Conductor

    Green’s not matching Giannis’s athleticism, but his brain is unmatched. In the Warriors’ 104-93 dismantling of the Bucks in March 2025, Draymond guarded him straight-up for 28 minutes, limiting him to 18 points on 7-18 shooting. It’s all about positioning: Green pressures full-court, funnels baseline, and communicates traps like a quarterback. Career vs. Giannis: Holds him under 1.05 PPP.

    Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) – The Rim Guardian

    Three-time DPOY Gobert’s length (7’9″ wingspan) clogs lanes. In 2024 playoffs, Minnesota’s “Gobert Wall” (with Jaden McDaniels) restricted Giannis to 24 PPG on 52% eFG%. Rudy’s not quick enough for full games, but in drop coverage, he erases lobs and weak-side help.

    P.J. Tucker (Formerly Clippers/Raptors) – The Gritty Veteran

    Tucker’s the ultimate “annoyance” defender. During the 2019 Raptors run, he bodied Giannis into 22.3 PPG on inefficient shots. His low center of gravity and hand-fighting disrupted rhythm—perfect for half-court sets.

    Honorable mentions: Al Horford (Celtics’ zone wizardry in 2022 ECF), Jayson Tatum (versatile switching), and OG Anunoby (Raptors’ length in isolation). Hell, even the much shorter Dillon Brooks last season wiped Giannis on his own!

    The Freak’s Evolution and the Defender’s Edge

    Turkey’s EuroBasket triumph wasn’t just a win—it was a reminder that basketball’s a team sport, even against unicorns like Giannis. By disrupting flow, collapsing space, and embracing the grind, they turned a supernova into a shooting star. In the NBA, where schemes evolve daily, expect more coaches to dust off this playbook as the Bucks chase another ring.

    What’s next for the Greek Freak? A sharper jumper? Better pick-and-roll vision? It doesn’t seem like he has added anything at all to his game all these years. More and more NBA players will just pull him apart like Turkey did. Bucks’ fans get confused because in easy games in the regular season most teams don’t bother. Why risk injury when so many times the officials don’t even give you the clear offensive foul Giannis commits? But when it counts? Three first round exits say “Giannis ain’t got it no more”.

    Sources: FIBA EuroBasket recaps, Basketball Sphere analysis, JSONline game reports, NBA Advanced Stats, and Second Spectrum data.

    Notable Individual Defenders

    • Dillon Brooks: Noteworthy for his physical, pesky defense on Giannis in 2024 NBA and Olympic matchups, using aggressive and disciplined tactics.
    • Lu Dort: Regarded as one of the top perimeter defenders, Dort used his strength and lateral quickness to defend Giannis on switches and in isolation, occasionally frustrating him in transition and halfcourt.
    • Bam Adebayo: Perhaps the most consistently effective one-on-one defender in playoff contexts, especially as the anchor for Miami’s wall defense.
    • Draymond Green: Famous for a 2025 regular-season performance where he held Giannis scoreless as a primary defender, supported by a strong team approach.
    • Grant Williams: Physical, disciplined, and effective—particularly in Celtics playoff series, often forcing Giannis into help coverage and tough shots.
    • Al Horford: Senior defender with a strong understanding of positioning, effective in both solo coverage and with Boston’s team help.
    • OG Anunoby: Length and strength allow him to contest Giannis’ drives and shots with discipline.
    • Onyeka Okongwu: Young big man with mobility and strong hands; considered one of the better defenders in direct matchups.
    • Anthony Davis: On healthy stretches with the Lakers, has the rim deterrence and agility to challenge Giannis at the basket.
    • Ben Simmons: Before recent injury downturn, was praised for his length and on-ball defense on Giannis.
    • Jonathan Isaac: When healthy, combined size, speed, and anticipation to bother Giannis in isolation and around the rim.
    • Jaren Jackson Jr.: Rim protection and lateral movement enable strong paint defense against Giannis.
    • Steven Adams: Physical strength inside makes him a tough post matchup for Giannis when protected by team schemes.
    • Clint Capela: Athletic rim protector, effective in switching schemes and as a help defender.
    • Zion Williamson: When healthy, physical enough to body Giannis and contest drives.
    • Evan Mobley & Jarrett Allen: The Cleveland frontcourt uses length and anticipation to wall off the lane and force tough finishes.
    • LeBron James: While not a primary defender, has successfully defended Giannis in stretches, using size and intelligence
  • Season analysis: Giannis kills the Bucks in the 4th quarter!

    Season analysis: Giannis kills the Bucks in the 4th quarter!

    Over the last regular season, Milwaukee frequently began the final period with Giannis on the bench due to rotation planning under Coach Doc Rivers. During these stretches, the Bucks’ offense has shown surprising efficiency, posting positive net ratings and often building or maintaining leads before Giannis returns. Observers have noticed that lineups featuring Damian Lillard, or in the past Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez allow for more spacing and ball movement, as the team often leans into a pick-and-roll-heavy approach and quick perimeter offence.

    • Three-point shooting success and better ball movement often mark these Giannis-less stretches, with role players stepping up to maintain pace and defensive intensity.
    • Milwaukee’s defensive rebounding and transition play also tend to improve, leading to quick scoring bursts that frustrate opponents.

    Substitution Patterns and Mid-Quarter Swings

    Midway through the fourth, Giannis is typically reintroduced, intended to stabilize and close out tight games. However, this move sometimes coincides with a downturn in offensive momentum:

    • Opponent defenses collapse in the paint, limiting Giannis’s drives.
    • Bucks’ spacing decreases as Giannis operates inside, sometimes attracting double teams and leading to stagnant perimeter offense.
    • Several game logs and fan recaps highlight occasions where the Bucks’ lead diminishes following Giannis’ return, as opponents ramp up their scoring against reconfigured rotations.

    Teams adjust their coverage, intensity increases, and Milwaukee sometimes struggles with late-game execution and turnovers. Giannis doesn’t adapt. He can’t.

    Game Examples and Fan Frustration

    In the February 20th game against the Clippers, for example, Milwaukee surged in the early fourth quarter while Giannis was under a minutes restriction. The supporting cast led a rally that was only challenged once Giannis returned, with the Clippers mounting a comeback. Similar patterns have been documented on Bucks fan forums, sparking debate about substitution timing and the best offensive approach in high-stakes moments.

    • Many fans attribute this trend to Doc Rivers’ rotations, which sometimes disrupt offensive rhythm and make the Bucks more predictable late in games. This is a completely inaccurate take.
    • The frustration is amplified when Giannis’s re-entry is followed by scoring droughts or failed defensive stands. Which is not a random event. It happens everytime. Giannis is a ball hog and there is no advanced system he understands.

    Understanding the Phenomenon: Beyond the Numbers

    Statistically, Milwaukee’s net rating overall is higher with Giannis on the floor, but the nuance of fourth-quarter substitution patterns paints a more complex picture. These situational surges reflect not a flaw in Giannis, but the multifaceted nature of NBA lineup chemistry:

    • Role players thrive in the open system created by Giannis’s absence, taking on greater playmaking duty and spreading the floor.
    • Defences are less able to load up in the paint, freeing shooters and creating rapid ball movement sequences.

    So yes, Giannis is the problem

    While the Bucks are generally stronger with Giannis, the fourth quarter “surge-then-slowdown” phenomenon is real and supported by both game logs and widespread fan observation. This nuance should inform future coaching decisions, with a blend of non-Giannis lineups and better-utilized closing rotations potentially unlocking Milwaukee’s explosive late-game potential.

    By understanding why and how these patterns emerge, fans and analysts gain a richer picture of the Bucks’ crunch time identity in a season defined by fascinating ups and downs.Recent Bucks seasons have featured a surprising trend: Milwaukee often performs better during the opening minutes of the fourth quarter when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the bench, only to see momentum shift after he returns. This phenomenon, widely discussed in fan forums and supported by select game logs, raises questions about rotation strategy, offensive chemistry, and Milwaukee’s best crunch-time approach.

    How This Trend Plays Out

    Doc Rivers’ substitution patterns often have Giannis resting to start the fourth quarter. During these minutes, the Bucks’ lineup—with Lillard, Middleton, Lopez, and agile reserves—tends to play faster, lean into high-volume three-point shooting, and show improved ball movement. Their defensive rebounding also stabilizes, fueling quick transition buckets. Multiple times last season, these lineups outperformed the opposition, either growing leads or closing deficits.

    • Bucks role players take on greater offensive responsibility, exploiting space and pick-and-roll mismatches.
    • Transition play and perimeter shooting become more prominent, reducing opponent scoring and sometimes flipping the momentum.

    The Giannis Re-Entry Paradox

    As Giannis checks in midway through the fourth, a pattern emerges: opposing teams often ramp up scoring and Milwaukee’s offensive flow can stall. With Giannis on the floor, defenses collapse into the paint, sometimes bogging down the Bucks’ spacing and making ball movement more predictable. Whether the issue is increased defensive attention, fatigue, or sluggish rotations, the Bucks’ net rating tends to stall or even decline during these minutes. Games such as the February 20th win over the Clippers exemplify this—Milwaukee’s best fourth-quarter surge came while Giannis was resting, and the lead diminished after his return.

    • Defensive urgency from opponents increases during Giannis stints in the closing minutes.
    • Bucks struggle to get open looks and sometimes post lower fourth-quarter shooting percentages.
    • Giannis goes to his predictable moves the more desperate he gets. It doesn’t work.

    Fan Reaction and Debate

    Fan frustration over Doc Rivers’ rotation decisions became a consistent storyline. Many Bucks followers pointed out that Milwaukee’s quick ball movement and balanced scoring work optimally when Giannis is off the floor, while reintroducing him late can slow the offense and invite comeback runs from opponents. Whether the cause is substitution rhythm, defensive adjustment, or playcalling, the fourth-quarter splits remain a major point of discussion.

    Interpreting the Data

    While overall net ratings heavily favour Giannis’ presence across the season, these fourth-quarter bursts—when the game is fast and Giannis is off the floor—reveal the complexity of crunch-time basketball. The Bucks are not truly “better” overall without Giannis, but they do have specialised situations where secondary lineups generate unique advantages, and understanding these moments could help the team optimise future closing rotations. Giannis is not known for his basketball IQ nor for quick thinking in clutch situations. He often makes mistakes, turnovers and he can’t screen to save his life. Let him play his heart out in the easier games and easier situations.

    This recurring fourth-quarter story is more than just anecdotal: it’s a tactical subplot that continues to shape Milwaukee’s late-game identity. By learning from these patterns, the Bucks could unlock even greater closing efficiency—combining Giannis’s strengths with lineups that maximise ball movement and outside shooting in the game’s most pivotal moments. But it is safe to say they can keep him on the bench longer. It would be great if they could copy what coach Spanoulis did with him in the Greek National team but truth be told it would not work with the much higher level of play in the NBA where more players can shut down Giannis effectively on their own.

  • Can the Bucks copy what Greece is doing with Giannis?

    Can the Bucks copy what Greece is doing with Giannis?

    The way Greece deploys Giannis differs markedly from his role with the Bucks, highlighting the contrasts between NBA team dynamics and FIBA. Let’s break it down based on his usage, role, and impact. Sure, up to now he has avoided any serious match ups. He knew to sit out the game against Nurkic who probably had his number and has generally played against much easier opponents. But that’s not all.

    A More Isolated, Scoring-Heavy Role with Greece

    With the Bucks, Giannis operates as the primary offensive engine in a balanced NBA system, but he’s surrounded by complementary pieces like shooters (e.g., Damian Lillard before his departure) and secondary creators who help distribute the load. Milwaukee’s offence often runs through pick-and-rolls, drive-and-kick actions, and staggered minutes with players like Khris Middleton, allowing Giannis to conserve energy for his signature rim attacks while sharing playmaking duties. His usage rate hovers around 35-38% in recent seasons, but it’s mitigated by the team’s depth and the 48-minute NBA game length.

    In contrast, Greece under coach Vassilis Spanoulis treats Giannis as an absolute focal point—essentially the “unquestioned alpha” in a roster lacking the Bucks’ spacing and depth. The Greek squad, featuring his brothers Thanasis and Kostas Antetokounmpo, Tyler Dorsey, Kostas Sloukas, and Kostas Papanikolaou, relies heavily on Giannis to carry the load, especially without elite NBA-caliber support like Nick Calathes or Georgios Papagiannis. This has led to more isolation-heavy usage, where he’s often triple-teamed but still explodes for 25+ points in eight straight EuroBasket games—a streak that’s extended to 10 now.

    This isolation emphasis stems from FIBA’s tighter court (91 feet vs. NBA’s 94) and distinct rules—no defensive three-second violation, shorter shot clock (24 seconds vs. 30), and more physical play—which amplify Giannis’ drives but expose the team’s limited shooting. Spanoulis has even opted for small-ball lineups, positioning Giannis as the “five” (center) against mixed defences to exploit mismatches. Teammate Tyler Dorsey called him an “unstoppable force,” noting how the team rallies around his dominance despite the roster’s gaps.

    Fewer Minutes, But Higher Intensity and Efficiency

    One stark difference is minutes played. With the Bucks, Giannis logs 33-35 minutes per game over an 82-game grind, often showing fatigue in clutch moments (as discussed in prior analyses of his high usage). At EuroBasket, he’s averaging under 30 minutes per outing—e.g., 29 in the Israel win—thanks to shorter 40-minute games and blowouts when he’s on. This rest allows fresher legs, leading to absurd efficiency: 78% FG against Israel and 82% vs. Georgia, far surpassing his NBA marks (around 60% FG overall).

    However, officiating has been a point of contention. Spanoulis blasted refs after the Spain game, arguing Giannis gets “hacked” without calls—e.g., just 12 free throws despite driving relentlessly—compared to stars like Luka Dončić (20-23 FTs per game). In Milwaukee, Giannis draws 10-12 FTAs per game with NBA whistles favouring stars; in FIBA, the physicality (and perceived bias) forces him to power through without as many trips to the line, making his scoring even more reliant on athleticism.

    Rebounding and Defence: Amplified by Necessity

    Rebounding is similar (9.8 at EuroBasket vs. 11.9 with Bucks), but Greece’s weaker interior depth means Giannis crashes harder—e.g., 14 vs. Spain and 10 vs. Israel—while also anchoring a switch-heavy defence. With the Bucks, he shares this with bigs like Brook Lopez (pre-trade); here, he’s the lone rim protector, leading to more blocks and steals (e.g., 2 each vs. Georgia). Assists are slightly lower (4 vs. 6.5), as Greece’s offence funnels through his drives rather than complex Bucks sets, though he flashed play making with 9 vs. Spain.

    The Bigger Picture: Hero Ball vs. System Ball

    Ultimately, Greece uses Giannis as a one-man wrecking crew—isolating him to “play superhero every possession” in a depth-starved setup—yielding MVP-level output but exposing vulnerabilities if he’s off (Greece lost their only game without him, 80-77 to Bosnia). With the Bucks, he’s the hub of a more distributed system, reducing his touches but enhancing team efficiency. This FIBA freedom suits his game on the smaller court, where his length and speed overwhelm, but it risks burnout in knockouts—like tomorrow’s quarterfinal vs. Lithuania.

    If Greece advances (they’re three wins from a title, their first since 2005), it could validate this usage as a blueprint for high-stakes play. For Bucks fans, it underscores why Milwaukee needs better support around him heading into 2025-26. Giannis’ EuroBasket run (second-highest scorer at 30 PPG behind Dončić’s 34) proves he’s adaptable, but his true test is blending this dominance with NBA balance.

    Unprecedented Usage Rate for a Big Man in the NBA

    In the 2023 NBA season, Giannis recorded a usage rate of 38.77%, one of the highest in NBA history, trailing only behind ball-dominant guards like Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Usage rate measures the percentage of a team’s offensive possessions a player uses while on the court, and Giannis’ figure is extraordinary for a power forward/centre. Unlike perimeter ball-handlers who typically dominate usage, big men rarely command such a large share of the offence.

    This high usage translates to Giannis controlling the ball for extended periods, often driving to the basket or creating plays. While this maximises his individual impact, it can limit touches and scoring opportunities for teammates. The Bucks have attempted to diversify their offence in recent seasons, slightly reducing Giannis’ usage and increasing roles for players like Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard. Yet, Giannis remains the undisputed focal point of Milwaukee’s attack.

    Impact on Teammates’ Offensive Rhythm

    Giannis’ ball dominance has a measurable effect on his teammates. Data from sources like StatMuse and NBA.com shows that players like Khris Middleton often perform better in terms of scoring efficiency and usage when Giannis is off the court. For example, Middleton’s effective field goal percentage and per-game scoring tend to rise in minutes without Giannis, suggesting that the latter’s heavy ball-handling can disrupt teammates’ offensive rhythm.

    This dynamic is particularly evident in lineups where Giannis’ presence reduces teammates to secondary roles, limiting their ability to find a consistent flow. The Bucks have experimented with staggered lineups to balance this, giving players like Middleton and Lillard more opportunities to handle the ball. However, the team’s heavy reliance on Giannis as the primary creator often overshadows these efforts, especially in crunch time.

    Shooting Efficiency: A Growing Concern

    While Giannis excels at scoring in the paint, his shooting efficiency from the free-throw line and beyond the arc remains a weak point. His free-throw percentage has declined in recent seasons, dipping below 65% in some years—well below the league average for primary scorers. This inefficiency is particularly costly in high-pressure situations, where missed free throws can shift momentum.

    Similarly, Giannis’ three-point shooting is a liability. Over the past few seasons, his three-point percentage has hovered between 22% and 28%, and his attempts have decreased, reflecting either reluctance or a strategic shift away from long-range shots. This lack of outside shooting makes his offensive game predictable, forcing him to rely heavily on drives to the basket. In turn, this can lead to contested shots, increased physical wear, and offensive stagnation against elite defences that clog the paint.

    Turnovers, Fatigue, and Clutch Performance

    Giannis’ aggressive style contributes to his turnover rate, which averages around 3 per game but can spike in playoff scenarios or under defensive pressure. These turnovers often stem from ambitious passes or drives into crowded lanes, exacerbated by fatigue. Playing 33-35 minutes per game on average, Giannis’ high usage and physical playing style take a toll, particularly in the fourth quarter.

    While Giannis scores a significant portion of his points (approximately 29.8%) in the final period, his shooting and free-throw percentages dip slightly in clutch moments. This suggests that fatigue impacts his decision-making and efficiency late in games. Moreover, the Bucks’ defensive lapses during Giannis’ extended ball-handling sequences can leave them vulnerable, as opponents capitalize on transition opportunities or exploit mismatches.

    In clutch situations, Giannis’ impact on win probability is mixed. He often generates points through sheer force, but his inefficiencies and turnovers can undermine Milwaukee’s execution when balanced play is critical.

    The Bigger Picture: Stats vs. Team Success

    Giannis’ individual stats are undeniably impressive—his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking place him among the league’s elite. However, his high usage rate, shooting inefficiencies, and late-game challenges raise questions about whether his style priorities individual production over optimal team outcomes. The data suggests that his ball dominance can suppress teammates’ contributions, while his inefficiencies from the free-throw line and beyond the arc limit his versatility in crucial moments. With Greece this is not the case. Giannis wants to play less so he doesn’t risk injury and Greece wants him off the court at parts of the game when he would be a detriment.

    In tougher games, particularly in the playoffs, balanced team play and clutch execution are paramount. Giannis’ current approach, while dominant, may hinder the Bucks’ ability to maximise their championship potential. To address this, Milwaukee could further diversify their offence, encouraging more playmaking from supporting stars like Middleton and Lillard while refining Giannis’ role in late-game scenarios.

    So yes, the Bucks could try it but…

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s playing style is a double-edged sword. His historic usage rate and relentless aggression make him a superstar, but they also come at a cost. By limiting teammates’ involvement, struggling with shooting efficiency, and showing vulnerabilities under fatigue, Giannis’ approach can hinder the Bucks in high-stakes games. A more balanced offensive strategy could unlock Milwaukee’s full potential and elevate their chances of winning another championship. But the sad truth is that this sort of approach only works in the Mickey mouse world of the FIBA tournament with second rate players and professionals who do not want to risk injury. Most of them are not playing at full capacity like they would in NBA playoffs where as we have seen many times, Giannis simply cannot move the needle when it counts.

  • Giannis vs Valančiūnas. Yet another game to make Giannis’ life easy

    Giannis vs Valančiūnas. Yet another game to make Giannis’ life easy

    Lithuania’s national basketball team is gearing up for a crucial quarterfinal matchup against Greece in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, scheduled for September 9, 2025, in Riga, Latvia. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (the “Greek Freak”) leading Greece and coming off a dominant 37-point, 10-rebound performance in their Round of 16 win over Israel, the question of who—or what—can contain him is front and center. Giannis, a two-time NBA MVP and one of the most unstoppable forces in international basketball, has been averaging over 25 points per game in the tournament while extending his streak of 25+ point outings to 10 straight. Stopping him entirely is a tall order—no one has truly done it this tournament—but Lithuania has a fighting chance thanks to their physical style, rebounding dominance (leading the event at 42.2 rebounds per game), and a key big man matchup.

    Key Player to Watch: Jonas Valančiūnas

    Lithuania’s best hope lies with veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas, the 6’11” (2.11m) Toronto Raptors big man who’s been a cornerstone of the Lithuanian team for over a decade. At 33 years old, Valančiūnas brings NBA-level physicality, with career averages of 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game in the league. He’s no stranger to defending elite forwards like Giannis—during their time as Eastern Conference rivals, Valančiūnas has guarded him in regular-season matchups, using his strength and positioning to contest drives and limit second-chance opportunities.

    In EuroBasket 2025 so far, Valančiūnas has been solid, averaging around 12 points and 10 rebounds while anchoring Lithuania’s interior defense. His role will be pivotal:

    • Physical matchup: At similar height and with a stockier build (265 lbs/120 kg vs. Giannis’s 242 lbs/110 kg), Valančiūnas can body up on post-ups and fight for position on rebounds. Lithuania’s team-wide rebounding edge (they’ve out-rebounded opponents by double digits in group play) could neutralize Giannis’s transition and putback threats.
    • Team strategy: Expect coach Marius Žukauskas to deploy a “help-and-recover” scheme, with wings like Deividas Sirvydis or Eimantas Bendžius sagging off shooters to double-team Giannis in the paint. Greece shoots 40.7% from three (second-best in the tournament), so Lithuania’s poor 27% three-point accuracy must improve to open driving lanes and force Giannis into tougher shots.
    • Head-to-head history: In past international clashes (e.g., 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers), Valančiūnas has held his own against Giannis, limiting him to under 20 points in one game by clogging the lane and forcing kick-outs. Giannis thrives on transition and mismatches, but Lithuania’s disciplined half-court defense—rooted in the “Lithuanian school of basketball” praised by Greece’s coach Vassilis Spanoulis—could slow him down.

    Challenges for Lithuania

    Lithuania’s supporting cast (e.g., Rokas Giedraitis for perimeter help or Martynas Gecevičius off the bench) must stay disciplined to avoid fouls, as Giannis draws contact masterfully (he’s shooting 80%+ from the free-throw line in the tournament). If Greece’s shooters like Georgios Papagiannis or Tyler Dorsey get hot from deep, it pulls Valančiūnas out of the paint, creating mismatches.

    Lithuania has “someone” in Valančiūnas to at least challenge Giannis and make it a battle inside, potentially turning the game into a gritty, low-scoring affair where their rebounding and free-throw attempts (they rank top-5 in attempts) shine. Historical head-to-heads are split (Lithuania 3-2 in the last five), and with home-crowd energy from their passionate fans, they could pull off the upset to advance to the semifinals. But if Giannis exploits switches or gets hot early, it could be a long night—expect a close one, with the winner decided by who controls the glass and forces turnovers.

    So once again Giannis is lucky in this tournament. He avoided Nurkic because he knew he would lose against him and look bad. Now the aging Valančiūnas on a clearly inferior team to Greece has a tough assignment. Greece should win easily and Giannis has the upper hand thanks to his multiple helpers on court. This could be the easiest team route to the semifinals ever for Greece.

    Below their matchup history:

    Valančiūnas was with the Raptors for the early matchups, then moved to the Grizzlies (2019-21), Pelicans (2021-24), and Nuggets (2024-25). Games are regular season unless noted as playoffs. For brevity, I’ve focused on core stats—full box scores include turnovers and fouls where noted.

    DateTeams (Home/Away for Bucks)ScoreResult (for Bucks)Giannis Stats (PTS/REB/AST/FG%/Other)Valančiūnas Stats (PTS/REB/AST/FG%/Other)
    Nov 2, 2013Bucks @ Raptors90-97L2/2/0, 1-2 FG (50%), 17 MIN, 1 STL7/6/0, 3-8 FG (38%), 16 MIN, 2 TO
    Jan 13, 2014Bucks vs Raptors94-116L11/7/4, 5-10 FG (50%), 33 MIN, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO17/10/0, 5-10 FG (50%), 32 MIN, 1 BLK, 4 TO
    Apr 5, 2014Bucks @ Raptors98-102L4/4/2, 1-6 FG (17%), 25 MIN17/13/3, 7-11 FG (64%), 34 MIN, 1 BLK
    Apr 14, 2014Bucks @ Raptors100-110L9/6/0, 4-9 FG (44%), 27 MIN, 1 BLK14/13/1, 5-11 FG (45%), 28 MIN, 1 STL, 1 BLK
    Nov 21, 2014Bucks @ Raptors82-124L7/2/2, 1-4 FG (25%), 15 MIN, 5-7 FT (71%), 1 STL18/12/0, 6-7 FG (86%), 21 MIN, 6-6 FT (100%)
    Jan 19, 2015Bucks vs Raptors89-92L6/3/5, 3-8 FG (38%), 33 MIN, 3 STL, 1 BLK11/13/0, 5-8 FG (63%), 19 MIN, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 5 TO
    Feb 2, 2015Bucks @ Raptors82-75W12/12/3, 4-9 FG (44%), 35 MIN, 2 BLK12/13/0, 6-9 FG (67%), 25 MIN, 1 BLK
    Nov 1, 2015Bucks @ Raptors87-106L20/9/2, 8-12 FG (67%), 33 MIN, 1-1 3PT (100%), 1 BLK19/8/0, 7-12 FG (58%), 29 MIN, 2 STL
    Nov 25, 2016Bucks vs Raptors99-105L29/6/11, 12-17 FG (71%), 35 MIN, 4 TO12/7/0, 6-11 FG (55%), 31 MIN
    Dec 12, 2016Bucks @ Raptors100-122L30/9/5, 13-23 FG (57%), 39 MIN, 3 STL11/12/1, 4-9 FG (44%), 23 MIN
    Jan 27, 2017Bucks @ Raptors86-102L19/6/8, 7-15 FG (47%), 33 MIN, 3 BLK, 3 TO8/11/1, 4-10 FG (40%), 24 MIN, 1 STL, 2 BLK

    2017 Playoffs (First Round: Raptors vs Bucks, Raptors won series 4-2)

    These were intense physical matchups, with Valančiūnas providing interior defense against a rising Giannis. Giannis averaged 24.8 PTS, 9.5 REB, 4.0 AST in the series, while Valančiūnas averaged 11.2 PTS, 10.5 REB.

    DateGame #ScoreResult (for Bucks)Giannis StatsValančiūnas Stats
    Apr 15, 2017Game 1 (Bucks @ Raptors)97-83W28/8/3, 9-13 FG (69%), 2 BLK5/10/0, 2-7 FG (29%), 1 BLK
    Apr 18, 2017Game 2 (Bucks @ Raptors)100-106L24/15/7, 10-20 FG (50%), 3 BLK10/13/0, 4-6 FG (67%), 1 BLK
    Apr 20, 2017Game 3 (Bucks vs Raptors)104-77W19/8/2, 8-14 FG (57%), 2 BLK7/6/0, 3-7 FG (43%)
    Apr 22, 2017Game 4 (Bucks vs Raptors)76-87L34/9/3, 14-24 FG (58%), 2 BLK13/8/1, 5-9 FG (56%), 1 BLK
    Apr 24, 2017Game 5 (Bucks @ Raptors)93-118L30/9/3, 12-19 FG (63%), 3 BLK8/9/1, 4-5 FG (80%)
    Apr 27, 2017Game 6 (Bucks vs Raptors)89-92L34/9/3, 13-23 FG (57%), 2 BLK19/11/1, 6-10 FG (60%), 3 BLK

  • EuroBasket 2025 Represents Giannis’ Antetokounmpo’s Best Shot at International Glory with Greece

    EuroBasket 2025 Represents Giannis’ Antetokounmpo’s Best Shot at International Glory with Greece

    As the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament unfolds across Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland, basketball fans worldwide are witnessing a pivotal moment for one of the game’s greatest talents: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak,” a two-time NBA MVP and champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, has long dominated the league but has yet to secure a major medal on the international stage with his home country. Greece’s last EuroBasket podium finish was a bronze in 2009, and while Giannis has led them to respectable showings—like a quarterfinal exit in 2022—the stars have never quite aligned for a breakthrough.

    Fast forward to September 2025, and the landscape looks dramatically different. With the tournament already underway (as of September 1, Greece sits undefeated after strong wins over Cyprus and Georgia, including a 27-point outburst from Giannis against the latter), this could be the perfect storm for Greece to medal. Why? A combination of Giannis’ prime form, a solid supporting cast, and—crucially—weaknesses plaguing many of the traditional favorites. Several powerhouse teams are missing key stars due to injuries, fatigue from the 2024 Olympics and NBA seasons, or strategic rest ahead of the 2025-26 NBA campaign. This has opened up the field, making a medal not just possible but potentially “easy” for a Giannis-led Greece if they capitalize. They come first in their (let’s face it, very easy) first phase, then meet Israel and Latvia and presto! Quarterfinals. It is very doable and very likely.

    Drawing from FIBA’s Smart Power Rankings and betting insights, Serbia tops the list, followed by Germany, France, and others like Lithuania, Slovenia, Turkey, Latvia, and Italy. Greece ranks fourth in those rankings, but with the absences hitting rivals hard, their path to the podium (top three) looks clearer than ever.

    Serbia: The Undisputed Favorites, But Not Invincible

    Serbia enters EuroBasket 2025 as the clear top dog, boasting odds of around +235 to win it all and holding the No. 1 spot in FIBA’s power rankings. Led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets, who is participating and already making waves, they have a stacked roster including Bogdan Bogdanović (Atlanta Hawks) and Nikola Milutinov. Their depth and chemistry make them a force—Jokić’s playmaking and scoring (he’s among the top players to watch) could carry them far.

    But even Serbia isn’t without cracks this time. Jokić, fresh off a grueling NBA season and the 2024 Olympics (where Serbia earned silver), might face fatigue as the tournament progresses into its knockout stages ending September 14. Their overreliance on Jokić could be exploited if opponents like Greece force him into foul trouble or double-teams—something Giannis, with his defensive versatility, is uniquely equipped to handle. Historically, Serbia has dominated (runners-up in 2017), but in a field where other teams are depleted, any slip-up (e.g., injuries to supporting players like Vasilije Micić) could open the door. For Greece, avoiding Serbia until the finals might be key, but this isn’t the unbeatable juggernaut of past cycles.

    As Serbia’s captain and all-time leading scorer, Bogdanović brings irreplaceable experience and clutch performance to the squad. His elite three-point shooting (often around 40-50% in international play), playmaking, and ability to create off the dribble complement Jokić’s interior dominance, forming a dynamic inside-out threat that opponents struggle to contain. Without him, Serbia’s offense becomes more predictable, relying heavily on Jokić, which could lead to fatigue for the superstar center or force less experienced players like Vasilije Micić or Ognjen Jaramaz into expanded roles they’re not fully prepared for. Defensively, his length and instincts help guard multiple positions, a loss that’s particularly felt against versatile wings from teams like Germany or Greece. Despite Nikola Jokić’s NBA dominance, the Basketball Federation of Serbia selected Bogdanović as the top player for the year, recognising his consistent international impact over Jokić’s occasional absences. His injury changes everything.

    Germany: World Champs With Lingering Questions

    As the reigning FIBA World Cup champions from 2023, Germany sits at No. 2 in the power rankings with odds around +650. Their core remains intact: Dennis Schröder (Brooklyn Nets), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic), and Daniel Theis (New Orleans Pelicans) are all suiting up, providing NBA-caliber talent across positions. Franz Wagner, in particular, ranks among the top NBA players at the tournament.

    Yet, Germany is weaker than their 2023 squad due to the absence of some depth pieces and the toll of recent international play. The Wagner brothers and Schröder played heavy minutes in the 2024 Olympics (Germany exited in the quarters), and fatigue could set in during a condensed EuroBasket schedule. Moreover, their frontcourt lacks the dominant size to consistently counter superstars like Giannis or Jokić— Theis is solid but not elite. Pre-tournament predictions note Germany as a contender, but not the favorite, with some analysts questioning their ability to repeat without fresh legs. For Greece, this means a winnable matchup if they meet in the knockouts; Giannis’ athleticism could overwhelm Germany’s perimeter-oriented style.

    France: A Powerhouse Gutted by Absences

    France, bronze medalists at the 2024 Olympics and No. 3 in power rankings with +900 odds, would normally be a medal lock. But this edition is arguably their weakest in years, thanks to a slew of high-profile skips. Star center Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) is out due to health concerns (a blood clot issue), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) is resting after a long season and Olympics, Mathias Lessort is absent, and Evan Fournier is also missing. Even Vincent Poirier, another key big, is sidelined.

    This leaves France’s frontcourt painfully thin—relying on players like Guerschon Yabusele and Nicolas Batum, who are talented but lack the rim protection and rebounding Gobert provides. Their perimeter game (with Isaïa Cordinier and others) is decent, but without their twin towers, they struggle against physical teams like Greece. Analysts have downgraded France significantly, with some predicting they might not even medal. For Giannis, this is a dream scenario: France’s weakened interior plays right into his slashing, dunking style, making a potential matchup a golden opportunity for Greece to advance.

    Lithuania: Missing Their Anchor in the Paint

    Lithuania, a perennial EuroBasket contender (No. 5 in rankings), thrives on tough, team-oriented play. They have Jonas Valančiūnas (Washington Wizards) anchoring the center spot, but the glaring absence is Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings), who is skipping the tournament—likely due to rest after the Olympics and NBA commitments. Sabonis’ playmaking and scoring from the post were crucial in past runs (like their 2023 World Cup semis), and without him, Lithuania’s offense lacks fluidity.

    Their guard play (Rokas Jokubaitis, etc.) is solid, but the team is vulnerable to elite bigs like Giannis, who could dominate the boards and paint. Previews highlight Lithuania as a dark horse, but the Sabonis void drops them from true favorite status. Greece, with Giannis’ brothers Thanasis and Kostas providing depth, has the physicality to exploit this—making Lithuania a beatable foe en route to a medal.

    Slovenia: Doncic’s One-Man Show Amid Fatigue Concerns

    Slovenia, powered by Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks), always punches above their weight—Dončić is No. 3 among top NBA players here. But with odds around +1200 or lower, they’re not top-tier favorites. Dončić, who slimmed down for the tournament, is fresh off a deep NBA Finals run and Olympics, raising fatigue risks—he’s already logged a historic triple-double early on.

    The supporting cast (Vlatko Čančar, Mike Tobey) is serviceable but thin—Slovenia often relies on Dončić heroics, which can falter against balanced teams. If Greece draws them, Giannis’ defense could neutralize Luka, exposing Slovenia’s lack of depth. This vulnerability makes them less threatening than in 2017, when they won gold.

    Other Contenders: Turkey, Latvia, Italy, and Spain’s Diminished Threats

    • Turkey (No. 6): Led by Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets), they’re rising but young and inconsistent. No major absences, but their inexperience could show in knockouts—Greece’s veteran presence (Thomas Walkup, Kostas Sloukas) gives them an edge.
    • Latvia (No. 7): Kristaps Porziņģis (Atlanta Hawks? Wait, Boston Celtics) is a star, but Latvia’s overall roster lacks NBA depth. As a dark horse, they’re beatable if Porziņģis is contained.
    • Italy (No. 8): Simone Fontecchio (Miami Heat) and Danilo Gallinari lead, but Donte DiVincenzo’s skip hurts their guard play. Inconsistent historically, they’re not a major roadblock. Case in point , Fontecchio was terrible against Greece and they lost.
    • Spain: Once dominant, they’re in transition post-golden generation. With only Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies) as a notable NBAer, they’re outside the top 8 and vulnerable.

    Why This Equals Greece’s Perfect Opportunity

    Greece’s roster, finalized with Giannis at the helm alongside his brothers, Walkup, and Sloukas, is built for success. In an easy Group C (with Cyprus, Georgia, Bosnia), they’ve already cruised to wins, preserving energy. The absences across Europe—over 9 noteworthy NBA players skipping, including Wembanyama and Gobert—have leveled the playing field like never before. While Serbia and Germany remain tough, the diluted competition means Greece can realistically aim for silver or bronze by navigating a softer bracket.

    For Giannis this is the moment. Post-2024 Olympics fatigue has sidelined rivals, but he’s committed and dominant. If Greece medals, it’ll be a testament to seizing this wide-open window. Basketball purists, keep watching—history might be in the making. Not because Giannis has improved but because this year Greece has the easiest path to a medal.

  • Settings expectations on Giannis and Greece for Euro 2025

    Settings expectations on Giannis and Greece for Euro 2025

    Greece enters EuroBasket 2025 with high hopes for ending a 16-year medal drought, and much of the nation’s ambition centers on the performance of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The expectations are clear: Greece is aiming for a podium finish, and Giannis is expected to deliver extraordinary statistics and iconic moments worthy of his NBA superstar status.

    Greece’s Medal Expectations

    Greece has not won a EuroBasket medal since 2009 but with Giannis at the helm and a roster that blends experienced leaders like Kostas Sloukas with promising talent, the team is considered a dark horse with legitimate medal ambitions. They face tough group-stage opponents, including Spain and Italy, yet pre-tournament friendlies have shown strong performances against quality teams, and the fanbase is energized for a breakthrough.

    Group Draw and Knockout Prospects

    Greece competes in Group B against Spain, Italy, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Cyprus, with the top four teams progressing to the knockout stage. The path to a medal demands not just advancing from the group but also overcoming European giants in the elimination rounds. Greece’s experience, defensive tenacity, and the inspiration drawn from Giannis serve as crucial factors. Can Giannis rise to the occasion or will he be content to simply make personal stats like he did with the Bucks this season?

    Statistical Expectations for Giannis

    Giannis is anticipated to lead all scorers at EuroBasket 2025, with projections that he may need to average at least 25 points per game for Greece to contend for a medal. FIBA rules generally reduce stat lines compared to the NBA, but Giannis’s role as primary scorer, rebounder, and playmaker should result in eye-catching numbers. The bar for Giannis is set at:

    • Scoring: 25+ points per game—potentially the highest in the tournament
    • Rebounds: 10+ per game, leveraging his athleticism and defensive skill
    • Assists: 6+ per game, given Greece’s increased transition play under coach Spanoulis

    Additionally, Giannis is expected to deliver a defining performance. Something like a 30+ point, double-digit rebound showcase against a major rival like Spain or Italy could become the tournament’s iconic highlight. Giannis needs this in order to preserve the narrative that he is fantastic and it is only his lack of good team mates that keeps him from success.

    We do NOT expect Giannis to shoot 3pt at all. In the NBA this season he shot them much less and it was still his worse year ever and one of the worse single 3pt % in the history of the NBA. Same with free throws. His worse career year in the NBA. In many respects Giannis is past his prime. He will really need to focus and hope that Euro2025 opponents are more concerned to stay healthy and avoid injury as he gallops towards them like Porzingis did in the friendly game they recently played.

    Iconic Performance and Leadership

    Tournaments are marked by unforgettable moments, and fans and analysts expect Giannis to provide the emotional and athletic centrepiece of EuroBasket 2025. His leadership during clutch possessions, ability to shine in transition, and capacity to break defensive schemes will be pivotal.

    Will Giannis reach these goals?

    The Greek national team will rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s elite production and leadership to push for a medal at EuroBasket 2025. From statistical dominance (25+ points, 10+ rebounds per game) to a defining tournament moment, the expectations are both high and inspiring for Greek basketball. Greece not making it to the top 4 of the tournament will clearly be an indictment on Giannis and possibly a good reason for him not to return to the Greek national team again. After so many years with no results this could be the final opportunity.

    Select relevant sources to this article:

    1. https://basketnews.com/news-228600-greece-eurobasket-2025-roster-schedule-and-scores.html
    2. https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/03/28/greece-draw-eurobasket-2025/
    3. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-giannis-antetokounmpo-bold-predictions-124051531.html
    4. https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/greek-national-basketball-team-touches-down-in-cyprus-ahead-of-eurobasket-2025
    5. https://basketnews.com/news-229916-greece-vs-france-live-eurobasket.html
    6. https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/teams/49–greece/
    7. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025-qualifiers/teams/greece
    8. https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-eurobasket-2025-groups-expectations
    9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_team
    10. https://basketnews.com/news-229678-tyler-dorsey-breaks-down-eurobasket-stars-hopes-to-end-greeces-medal-drought.html

    Featured image from here https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025-qualifiers/news/locked-in-giannis-confirms-plans-for-fiba-eurobasket-2025

  • Most used Bucks’ lineups and what they show

    Most used Bucks’ lineups and what they show

    Came across the chart and it is extremely interesting food for thought. Last season the most used lineup didn’t include Giannis and guess what? It was also one of the most productive line ups!

    The 2024-25 NBA season was a rollercoaster for the Milwaukee Bucks, blending moments of dominance with frustrating inconsistencies. This graphic captures the essence of their on-court strategy by highlighting the team’s most utilised five-man lineups. This image isn’t just a snapshot of player combinations—it’s a window into how the Bucks structured their rotations under head coach Doc Rivers, emphasising spacing, defence, and star power. But beyond the numbers, it raises deeper questions about team dynamics, particularly around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. While these lineups posted impressive net ratings during the regular season, the Bucks’ playoff flameout once again spotlighted Giannis’ tendency to prioritise personal milestones over collective success, often to the team’s detriment. Let’s break it down step by step.

    Understanding the Graphic: A Visual Breakdown

    The infographic, titled “Most Used Bucks Lineups” for the 24/25 season, ranks four key five-man units based on minutes played together. Each lineup is presented with player headshots aligned by position—Guard, Guard, Forward, Forward, Center—alongside their shared court time and net rating (a measure of points scored minus points allowed per 100 possessions). The green backdrop and clean design make it easy to digest, but the real story lies in the personnel and performance metrics.

    Here’s a detailed rundown of each lineup, inferred from player appearances, jerseys, and cross-referenced with season stats from reliable sources like NBA.com and Reddit discussions on Bucks rotations:

    1. Damian Lillard (Guard), Gary Trent Jr. (Guard), Khris Middleton (Forward), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Forward), Brook Lopez (Center)
    • Minutes Played: 121
    • Net Rating: +22.2
      This was the Bucks’ go-to starting unit for much of the season, blending Lillard’s elite scoring and playmaking with Trent’s sharpshooting from the perimeter. Middleton provided veteran savvy and spacing, while Giannis dominated the paint and Lopez anchored the defense with his rim protection and outside shooting. The high net rating reflects excellent offensive efficiency (likely around 120+ points per 100 possessions) and solid defense, thanks to Lopez’s blocks and Giannis’ versatility. This group embodied the Bucks’ “championship or bust” aspirations, excelling in transition and half-court sets.
    1. Damian Lillard (Guard), Pat Connaughton (Guard), Taurean Prince (Forward), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Forward), Brook Lopez (Center)
    • Minutes Played: 110
    • Net Rating: +14.5
      A slight variation on the starter-heavy lineup, this unit swapped Trent for Connaughton (a reliable 3-and-D wing) and Middleton for Prince (a versatile forward acquired in the offseason for depth). The result was a more defensive-minded group, with Connaughton’s energy and Prince’s length helping on the boards and in switches. While the net rating dipped slightly from the top lineup, it still indicated strong performance, particularly in games where Middleton rested or dealt with injuries. Offensive rating might have hovered around 115, bolstered by Lillard-Giannis pick-and-rolls.
    1. Damian Lillard (Guard), Gary Trent Jr. (Guard), Taurean Prince (Forward), Khris Middleton (Forward), Brook Lopez (Center)
    • Minutes Played: 80
    • Net Rating: +8.5
      Notably, this is the only lineup in the graphic without Giannis, relying instead on a balanced mix of shooting and defense. Lillard and Trent handled the backcourt, Prince and Middleton provided forward flexibility, and Lopez remained the constant at center. The lower minutes suggest it was used in specific matchups or when Giannis sat, but the net rating—while positive—lagged behind the Giannis-inclusive groups. This could point to better ball movement without Giannis’ ball-dominant style, though the sample size is smaller. Discussions on Reddit highlighted similar bench-heavy units performing well defensively, with ratings around 102 points allowed per 100 possessions.
    1. Gary Trent Jr. (Guard), Pat Connaughton (Guard), Taurean Prince (Forward), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Forward), Bobby Portis (Center)
    • Minutes Played: 57
    • Net Rating: +26.0
      The least used but most efficient of the bunch, this lineup featured a smaller, faster frontcourt with Portis stepping in for Lopez. Trent and Connaughton offered shooting, Prince added switchability, and Giannis thrived in a more open floor. The sky-high net rating screams “small sample success,” likely driven by explosive offense (perhaps 130+ offensive rating) in blowouts or against weaker benches. Portis’ energy and rebounding complemented Giannis perfectly here, making it a potent closing or comeback unit.

    These lineups collectively showcase the Bucks’ strategy: heavy reliance on star talent like Lillard and Giannis, supplemented by role players for shooting and defense. The positive net ratings across the board contributed to a 48-34 regular-season record, good for 5th in the East. However, the varying inclusion of Giannis hints at an underlying issue—while his presence often elevated efficiency, it sometimes came at the cost of team cohesion.

    The Regular Season Mirage: Strong Lineups, But Lingering Concerns

    On paper, these combinations were a recipe for success. The top lineup’s +22.2 net rating rivals championship-calibre units, driven by Giannis’ all-around dominance (averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game). Pairing him with spacers like Lopez and Trent allowed for drive-and-kick opportunities, while defensive anchors kept opponents in check. Midseason analyses praised rotations like the third-most-used group (similar to our #3 here), which boasted a 101.7 defensive rating without Giannis, suggesting the supporting cast could hold its own.

    Yet, cracks appeared. The Bucks cycled through 11 starting lineups early on due to injuries and inconsistencies, with Giannis-centric units dominating minutes but occasionally leading to stagnant offense. Giannis’ high usage rate (often over 35%) meant the ball stuck in his hands, reducing touches for shooters like Middleton and Lillard. This worked in the regular season against lesser competition, but foreshadowed playoff vulnerabilities.

    Why Giannis Falls Short When It Really Counts: Stats Over Substance

    Here’s where the narrative shifts from celebration to scrutiny. Despite gaudy regular-season numbers and lineup efficiencies, the Bucks crashed out in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, losing in five games. Giannis posted monster averages—33.0 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists—but the team faltered. In his final game, he even notched a historic 30/20/10 performance, joining an elite club, yet it came in a loss that ended their season. This pattern isn’t new; it’s a recurring theme in Giannis’ career, where personal accolades mask deeper issues in high-stakes moments.

    Critics argue Giannis prioritizes stats to the team’s detriment, a claim substantiated by infamous incidents like his 2023 stat-padding episode. During a game against the Wizards, Giannis intentionally missed a shot at the rim to grab his own rebound and secure a triple-double, a move slammed as “cheap” and “self-serving” by the New York Post. Such behavior undermines team morale and focus, especially when the Bucks needed every edge in close contests. Videos and analyses highlight how stat-chasing leads to downfall, with Giannis himself acknowledging the pitfalls—yet repeating them.

    In playoffs, this manifests as inefficiency when it matters most. Back in 2020, with the Bucks down 3-0 to the Heat, scrutiny fell on Giannis’ inability to lead despite MVP-caliber play, questioning his clutch gene. Fast-forward to 2025: his stellar stats couldn’t prevent another early exit, partly due to poor decision-making in crunch time. Giannis’ free-throw struggles (around 65% career) force him into hero-ball mode, leading to turnovers and stagnant possessions that hurt lineups reliant on his drives. ESPN reports captured his frustration with team effort post-losses, but insiders note his ball dominance fatigues teammates and limits their involvement. The 2021 championship is looking more and more as a notable freaky exception, maybe even a set up by the NBA to give a smaller franchise a title.

    Compare this to peers like Nikola Jokic, who elevates teams through unselfish play. Giannis’ approach, while yielding All-NBA honours, has coincided with three straight first-round exits post-2021 title (often blamed on injuries, but patterns persist). A shocking stat: Giannis led the league in points but ranked poorly in clutch-time efficiency, with the Bucks posting a negative net rating in fourth quarters of close games. social media posts and forums echo accusations of “stat padding” over team wins, with one user noting how his triple-double hunts mirror Russell Westbrook’s criticised seasons.

    Ultimately, these lineups prove the Bucks have the talent for regular-season success, but Giannis’ stat-focused mindset hampers adaptability in the playoffs. To reclaim contention, he must shift toward team-first basketball—distributing more, trusting rotations, and ditching the padding. Until then, graphics like this will remain bittersweet reminders of untapped potential. Casual fans will suck up the Bucks’ marketing about all the points he scored and records he broke. People that care about the team will wonder why Giannis can’t develop in a meaningful way and how much longer his team mates will have to cover up for his many weaknesses.

  • Giannis and the Greek National Team: A Blessing or a Barrier to Rebuilding?

    Giannis and the Greek National Team: A Blessing or a Barrier to Rebuilding?

    Giannis Antetokounmpo ,a two-time NBA MVP, NBA champion, and global superstar, his presence on any team is transformative. For the Greek national basketball team, his participation in international competitions like FIBA EuroBasket and the Olympics is a source of immense pride and optimism. However, while Giannis brings unparalleled talent and attention to Greek basketball, there’s a growing argument that his dominance inadvertently holds back the team’s long-term development and delays a necessary rebuild. Remember back when the Greek team was , well, a team? Not just a support cast for a diva.

    The Giannis Effect: A Double-Edged Sword

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impact on the Greek national team is undeniable. In EuroBasket 2022, he averaged 29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, showcasing his ability to dominate against elite competition. More recently, in a preparation game for EuroBasket 2025 against Latvia, Giannis delivered 25 points and 10 rebounds in just 15 minutes of play, reinforcing his ability to single-handedly shift the momentum of a game. His athleticism, versatility, and relentless work ethic make him a focal point for Greece, drawing defensive attention and creating opportunities for teammates.

    However, this dominance comes with challenges. The Greek national team has become heavily reliant on Giannis to carry the offensive and defensive load, often at the expense of developing a cohesive team identity. His presence can mask underlying weaknesses in the roster, coaching strategy, and player development pipeline, delaying the inevitable need for a rebuild. Below, we explore the key ways in which Giannis’ role might hinder Greece’s long-term growth.

    1. Over-Reliance on Giannis’ Superstar Play

    The Greek national team’s game plan often revolves around Giannis as the primary scorer, playmaker, and defensive anchor. While this strategy maximizes his individual impact, it can stifle the development of other players. In games where Giannis plays limited minutes or sits out, as seen in some EuroBasket 2025 preparation games, the team struggles to maintain consistency. For example, Greece’s offense often becomes stagnant without Giannis’ ability to drive to the basket or create open looks for teammates. This reliance creates a “Giannis-or-bust” dynamic, where the team’s success hinges on his performance rather than a balanced collective effort.

    This over-reliance also affects younger players who might otherwise step into larger roles. Talented players like Giannoulis Larentzakis, who scored 14 points in the Latvia game, or emerging prospects like Alexandros Samodurov, often find their roles reduced to complementary pieces around Giannis. Without opportunities to take on primary scoring or playmaking responsibilities, these players may not develop the confidence or experience needed to lead the team in the future, especially post-Giannis.

    2. Tactical Challenges and Positional Shifts

    Head coach Vassilis Spanoulis has introduced a tactical system designed to function with or without Giannis, acknowledging his sporadic availability due to NBA commitments and insurance issues. However, this flexibility comes at a cost. In EuroBasket 2025 preparations, Spanoulis has experimented with using Giannis as the primary center, a role he has publicly expressed reluctance to play due to the physical toll it takes. With key big man Georgios Papagiannis absent from the roster, Giannis is tasked with rim protection, rebounding, and screening—roles that expose him to greater injury risk and wear him down over the course of a tournament.

    This positional shift highlights a deeper issue: Greece’s lack of depth in the frontcourt. Instead of investing in developing young bigs who could share the load, the team leans on Giannis to fill multiple roles. This approach not only risks his health—especially concerning given his history of calf strains, foot sprains, and patella tendinopathy—but also delays the development of a sustainable frontcourt rotation for the future.

    3. Insurance Issues and Limited Availability

    Giannis’ participation in international competitions is often complicated by logistical challenges, particularly insurance disputes between the Greek Basketball Federation and the Milwaukee Bucks. In the lead-up to EuroBasket 2025, Giannis missed several preparation games due to unpaid insurance, which protects him in case of injury while on national duty. While these issues were eventually resolved, his delayed integration into the team disrupted chemistry and limited the coaching staff’s ability to experiment with different lineups.

    This sporadic availability forces Greece to build a system that can function without its best player, which is a double-edged sword. While it encourages versatility, it also means the team is rarely at full strength during critical preparation periods. Younger players or role players who could benefit from extended minutes alongside Giannis are instead forced to adapt to a system that prioritizes his eventual return, further delaying the development of a new core.

    4. Delaying the Inevitable Rebuild

    Greece’s national team has not won a EuroBasket medal since 2005, and their recent performances—fifth in 2017, eighth in 2015, and fifth in 2007—reflect a program that has struggled to compete with Europe’s elite. While Giannis’ presence elevates Greece’s ceiling, it also papers over cracks in the roster and infrastructure. The team’s reliance on veterans like Kostas Sloukas, who at 35 is aiming to end Greece’s 16-year medal drought, underscores a lack of young talent ready to take the reins.

    A rebuild would require prioritizing the development of younger players, even at the expense of short-term success. However, with Giannis in his prime at age 30, there’s pressure to maximize his window by surrounding him with experienced veterans rather than unproven prospects. This approach risks creating a gap in the talent pipeline, as emerging players are not given the opportunity to gain meaningful international experience. For example, players like Tyler Dorsey or Konstantinos Mitoglou, who showed promise in preparation games, are often relegated to secondary roles when Giannis is on the court.

    5. Cultural and Strategic Implications

    The intense focus on Giannis as the team’s centrepiece can create a culture where other players feel overshadowed or hesitant to take initiative. The Greek national team’s identity has become synonymous with Giannis, which may discourage the development of a collective ethos that could sustain the program after his international career winds down.

    Strategically, Greece’s coaching staff must balance leveraging Giannis’ unique skills with building a system that can outlast him. The current approach, which prioritizes short-term competitiveness, may yield strong performances in tournaments like EuroBasket 2025 but does little to address long-term needs. A true rebuild would involve taking risks, such as giving more minutes to younger players or experimenting with new tactical systems, even if it means sacrificing some wins in the present.

    The Case for a Rebuild

    To secure long-term success, Greece must begin transitioning away from its Giannis-centric model. This doesn’t mean sidelining the superstar but rather using his presence to elevate younger players and build a more balanced roster. Here are some steps Greece could take to initiate a rebuild:

    1. Develop Young Talent: Identify and nurture young prospects like Alexandros Samodurov or other emerging players in the Greek domestic leagues. Giving them significant roles in preparation games, even alongside Giannis, would accelerate their development.
    2. Diversify the Offense: Move away from a Giannis-or-bust offensive strategy by empowering players like Larentzakis or Dorsey to take on playmaking responsibilities. This would create a more versatile attack and reduce the pressure on Giannis.
    3. Strengthen the Frontcourt: Invest in developing big men who can share rim protection and rebounding duties, reducing the physical toll on Giannis and ensuring depth for the future.
    4. Build Team Chemistry: Use preparation games to experiment with lineups that don’t rely solely on Giannis, fostering chemistry among role players and preparing for scenarios where he’s unavailable.
    5. Long-Term Vision: Shift the focus from immediate medal contention to building a sustainable program that can compete post-Giannis. This might mean accepting short-term struggles in exchange for long-term gains.

    Balancing the Present and Future

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s commitment to the Greek national team is a testament to his love for his country and basketball. However, his overwhelming presence can inadvertently delay the necessary rebuild that Greece needs to remain competitive in the post-Giannis era. By relying too heavily on his individual brilliance, the team risks stunting the growth of younger players, neglecting roster depth, and postponing strategic changes that could ensure long-term success.

    All too often he hogs not just the ball in game situations but also the attention. All too often he fails to deliver when it counts. They can hardly justify not inviting him but when he comes he is like a sledgehammer in everything he does. The challenge for Greece is to strike a balance: leverage Giannis’ prime years to chase medals while simultaneously investing in the next generation. This requires bold decisions from the coaching staff and the Greek Basketball Federation, including a willingness to prioritise development over immediate results. For now, the Greek Freak remains the biggest obstacle to a sustainable future while never quite having proved that he can be truly be a part of a team that will deliver.

    Many are tired of the scenario we are likely to see in the Euro 2025. Early success, impressive performances in the easy games and then when the going gets tough…same story. Giannis posts some big numbers but the rest of the team suddenly seems inadequate. That is not how basketball works. Unless you are working for the Giannis’ marketing team that is.

  • Milwaukee Bucks Have No Shot at Success This NBA Season

    Milwaukee Bucks Have No Shot at Success This NBA Season

    As the 2025-26 NBA season tips off on October 22, with the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Washington Wizards—and facing off against their former star Khris Middleton—the optimism in Milwaukee feels more like wishful thinking than genuine hope. Coming off a disappointing 2024-25 campaign that ended in a first-round playoff exit, the Bucks are staring down a roster ravaged by injuries, trades, and questionable decisions. Damian Lillard, acquired to form a super-duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo, is gone. Key additions like Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma aim to bolster the frontcourt, but the team’s cap situation is tied up in aging or inconsistent talent like Bobby Portis and Kevin Porter Jr. Projections place them around sixth in the Eastern Conference, a far cry from championship contention. There are multiple gruelling stretches in the schedule, including a long road-heavy period in December and January and a total of 14 back-to-back sets. The Bucks will spend significant time away from home, compounding the stress on team leaders.

    But let’s cut to the chase: the Bucks’ biggest roadblock isn’t just the roster flux or Lillard’s absence—it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo himself. Once hailed as the league’s unstoppable force, Giannis has plateaued in critical areas of his game, refusing to evolve beyond his dominant but predictable style. Worse, his selfishness—manifested in a ball-dominant approach and an obsession with personal stats—stifles team growth and chemistry. In a league where adaptability and selflessness win rings, Giannis’s unwillingness to change dooms the Bucks to mediocrity.

    Giannis’s Game Hasn’t Evolved: Stagnation at the Top

    Giannis Antetokounmpo entered the NBA as a raw prospect in 2013 and quickly became a superstar, earning two MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and leading the Bucks to their 2021 championship. His career averages—23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game—paint the picture of a dominant force. But dig deeper into his progression, and it’s clear: Giannis hasn’t meaningfully improved in the areas that matter most for sustained success in today’s NBA.

    Take his shooting, for instance. Giannis’s three-point percentage has hovered in the low 20s to high 20s for years, peaking at a career-high 30.3% in 2019-20 but dipping to a dismal 22.2% in 2024-25. His free-throw shooting, a perennial Achilles’ heel, sat at 61.7% last season—barely an improvement from his career 70.3% but still unreliable in crunch time. Defensively, while he was once the league’s best rim protector, his impact waned in 2024-25; he matched career lows in blocks and steals per game, prioritizing offense over the two-way dominance that defined his prime.

    Critics have long pointed out how this lack of a reliable jump shot gets exposed in the playoffs. In the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals, Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors walled off the paint, daring Giannis to shoot—and he couldn’t. Fast-forward to recent postseasons, and the story repeats: teams pack the paint, force him into inefficient shots or turnovers, and the Bucks crumble. His playoff scoring jumps to around 28-30 points, but efficiency drops, and the team suffers. At 30 years old (turning 31 in December), Giannis is past his athletic prime, yet he hasn’t developed the perimeter skills needed to age gracefully like LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Instead, he relies on bulldozing drives and transition plays, which work in the regular season but falter against playoff defenses.

    Without improvement here, the Bucks’ offense remains predictable and easy to scheme against—especially with Lillard out. Opponents will sag off Giannis, clog driving lanes, and watch as the team’s spacing collapses. This stagnation isn’t just a personal failing; it’s a team-killer in a season where Milwaukee desperately needs versatility.

    The Selfishness Factor: Stats Over Substance

    Giannis’s on-court demeanor has drawn increasing scrutiny, with accusations of selfishness undermining his leadership. His usage rate—consistently above 30% in recent years—means the ball is in his hands far too often, leading to a stagnant offense that discourages movement and off-ball play. Fans and analysts alike have noted how this “Giannis-ball” style leaves teammates disengaged, plugging them on defense as well when they’re uninvolved offensively.

    A glaring example is his history of stat-padding. In March 2023, Giannis infamously chased a triple-double in a blowout win over the Wizards, re-entering the game late to grab a rebound and tipping it in—drawing widespread criticism for prioritizing personal milestones over team integrity. This isn’t isolated; social media buzzes with similar takes, labeling him a “stat-padding legend” who inflates numbers in low-stakes situations. Even in meaningful games, his focus on hero-ball—trying to do too much, as one Bucks fan observed after an early-season loss—leads to missed free throws, poor boxing out, and forced plays.

    This selfishness extends to team dynamics. Former Bucks star DeMarcus Cousins suggested Giannis should “be selfish with his career” and consider a trade to a contender like Miami, implying his loyalty (or stubbornness) in Milwaukee is holding him—and the team—back. But on the court, it’s the opposite: he won’t relinquish control. With Lillard sidelined, Giannis’s ball dominance will only intensify, but as X users point out, this discourages the kind of fluid, team-oriented play that wins in the modern NBA. His high minutes (over 35 per game last season, up from Budenholzer’s era) and refusal to rest exacerbate injuries and burnout for everyone.

    In a league where stars like Nikola Jokic or Jayson Tatum elevate teammates through unselfish play, Giannis’s approach feels outdated. He wants the spotlight on his triple-doubles and MVP chases, but that comes at the cost of collective success.

    Preventing Team Development: The Giannis Shadow

    Perhaps the most damning aspect is how Giannis’s presence hinders the Bucks’ overall development. By demanding the offense run through him, he limits opportunities for younger players or role guys to grow. The Bucks’ front office has depleted assets in trades—Jrue Holiday for Lillard, then Middleton out—leaving “nothing around Giannis,” as one podcaster lamented. GM Jon Horst’s extension despite this mess only compounds the issue.

    With Lillard out, the burden falls squarely on Giannis, but his style doesn’t foster growth. New additions like Turner and Kuzma provide shooting and spacing, which the Bucks prioritized to surround him. Yet, as critics note, Giannis “makes his team worse all season by focusing on individual stat padding” and has “zero impact in games that matter.” The Bucks thrived in crunch time without him last season, suggesting the team plays more freely when not orbiting his gravity.

    This season’s outlook is grim: fewer national TV games signal the league’s waning interest, and predictions hover around a play-in spot or low seed. In a stacked East with Boston, Cleveland, and New York reloading, the Bucks’ reliance on an unevolving, self-focused Giannis ensures early elimination. Injuries and bad luck played roles in past failures, but the core problem persists. And Giannis is largely to blame for the way every summer he fuels the trade rumours and then pretends all is well after having forced major moves. Well the Bucks have run out of trade chips to please him and what has it got them?

    Time for a Reckoning in Milwaukee

    The Milwaukee Bucks enter 2025-26 with talent but no cohesion, thanks largely to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s refusal to adapt or share the stage. His stagnant skills, selfish tendencies, and overshadowing presence turn a potential contender into a middling squad. Unless Giannis undergoes a dramatic shift—developing a jumper, embracing team play, and prioritizing wins over stats—the Bucks are headed for another frustrating season. Fans deserve better, but as long as the focus remains on “The Greek Freak’s” personal narrative, collective achievement will remain elusive. This isn’t a championship team; it’s Giannis’s stat sheet with a supporting cast. And that won’t cut it in today’s NBA.

  • Myles Turner Won’t Solve Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Problems

    Myles Turner Won’t Solve Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Problems

    The Milwaukee Bucks’ acquisition of Myles Turner in the 2025 offseason, a move that saw them waive Damian Lillard to clear cap space, was a bold gamble aimed at keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo satisfied and extending the Bucks’ championship window. Turner, a versatile 3-and-D center, brings shot-blocking prowess and floor-spacing ability to pair with the two-time MVP. However, while this move addresses some roster deficiencies, it falls short of solving Giannis’ challenges in high-pressure playoff games. This blog post delves into the reasons why Turner, despite his talents, is unlikely to be the complete solution for Giannis and the Bucks in critical postseason moments.

    The Bucks have struggled in recent playoffs, with only one series win since their 2021 title. Injuries, including Giannis’ own and Damian Lillard’s Achilles tear in 2025, have played a role, but deeper issues persist in high-pressure games. In playoff scenarios, opponents often exploit Giannis’ limitations by building defensive “walls” to clog the paint, forcing him to rely on his developing jumper or playmaking under pressure. The Bucks’ lack of a reliable point guard and inconsistent perimeter creation has compounded these issues, leaving Giannis to shoulder an immense offensive load. The hope was that Turner, with his defensive versatility and three-point shooting, would alleviate these problems. However, several factors suggest he won’t fully address Giannis’ high-pressure struggles.

    Strengths

    Myles Turner, at 29, is a proven two-way center. His defensive impact is notable, having led the NBA in blocks multiple times, including a 2021 season where he averaged nearly four blocks per game. In the 2024-25 season, he set a Pacers’ playoff record with 46 blocks during their Finals run. His ability to switch on defence, roam, and protect the rim makes him a theoretical complement to Giannis, who also excels defensively with 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Offensively, Turner’s 40.5% three-point shooting on passes from Tyrese Haliburton last season suggests he can stretch the floor, creating space for Giannis’ drives.

    The Bucks envision Turner as a modernized replacement for Brook Lopez, who was a key floor-spacer during their 2021 championship run. With Giannis potentially taking on more point-forward duties, Turner’s ability to shoot “wide-open” threes (121 made in 2024-25, tied for first in the NBA) could keep defenses honest. Coach Doc Rivers has praised Turner’s fit, noting his ability to switch defensively and stretch the floor, which aligns with Milwaukee’s up-tempo vision.

    Limitations

    Despite these strengths, Turner’s game has notable weaknesses that may not fully address the Bucks’ needs in high-pressure situations:

    1. Rebounding Deficiency: Turner has never been an elite rebounder, often criticized for not securing defensive rebounds to end possessions. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged just 6.9 rebounds per game despite his 6’11” frame, a stark contrast to Giannis’ 11.9 rebounds. In playoff games, where possessions are critical, Turner’s inability to dominate the glass could allow opponents to generate second-chance points, putting additional pressure on Giannis to clean up defensively.
    2. Limited Playmaking: High-pressure games often require big men to make quick decisions under defensive scrutiny. Turner is not a strong playmaker, with career averages of 1.3 assists per game and a focus on finishing rather than creating. Unlike former teammate Domantas Sabonis, who facilitated offense for the Pacers, Turner relies on guards like Haliburton to set him up. With the Bucks lacking an elite point guard after waiving Lillard, Turner’s limited passing ability may not alleviate the playmaking burden on Giannis.
    3. Inconsistent Playoff Performance: While Turner was a key contributor to the Pacers’ 2024 Finals run, he didn’t consistently close important games. For example, in matchups against Giannis, he struggled defensively, allowing Antetokounmpo to score 64 and 37 points in two games during the 2023-24 season. In high-pressure moments, Turner’s defensive impact can wane if opponents exploit his positioning or force him into foul trouble, a recurring issue given his physical style.
    4. Offensive Dependency on Setup: Turner’s offensive production, particularly his three-point shooting, relies heavily on quality guard play. In Indiana, Haliburton’s elite passing (10+ assists per game) created open looks for Turner. Without a comparable facilitator in Milwaukee, Turner’s efficiency from deep could dip, especially in playoff scenarios where defences tighten and rotations are shorter. Giannis’ play making has improved (6.5 assists per game), but he’s not a traditional point guard, and his passes to shooters like Bobby Portis (50% from three on 34 attempts) were less frequent than Haliburton’s to Turner.

    Giannis’ High-Pressure Challenges

    Giannis thrives in transition and interior scoring, leading the NBA with 779 two-point field goals in 2024-25. However, in high-pressure playoff games, teams employ specific strategies to neutralize him:

    • Paint Clogging: Opponents like the Pacers in 2024 used multiple defenders to form a “wall,” forcing Giannis to shoot from mid-range or beyond (he shot 0-1 from three in Game 4). His jumper, while improved, remains inconsistent under pressure.
    • Playmaking Pressure: Without a reliable secondary creator, Giannis often faces double-teams, leading to turnovers or forced shots. In Game 5 against the Pacers, despite a 30-point, 20-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, the Bucks lost 119-118 in overtime, highlighting the lack of support.
    • Fatigue and Injuries: Giannis’ heavy minutes (44 in Game 5) and physical style make him prone to fatigue or injury, as seen in recent playoffs. A co-star who can take over games offensively is critical, but Turner’s role is more complementary than dominant.

    Why Turner Falls Short

    1. Lack of a Primary Creator

    The Bucks’ decision to waive Lillard, a nine-time All-Star who averaged 28.0 points per game alongside Giannis, leaves a void in perimeter creation. Turner’s addition doesn’t address this. His offensive game relies on others to create opportunities, and with Giannis now expected to handle point-forward duties, the Bucks may struggle to generate consistent offence in crunch time. In high-pressure games, teams will likely dare Turner to create off the dribble or in isolation, areas where he’s unproven.

    2. Defensive Redundancy

    While Turner’s shot-blocking complements Giannis’ defensive versatility, it may not significantly elevate the Bucks’ playoff defence. Both players excel at rim protection, but the Bucks’ perimeter defence remains a concern without a lockdown guard like Jrue Holiday. In the 2024 playoffs, the Pacers exploited Milwaukee’s back court, with Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard finding gaps in pick-and-roll coverage. Turner’s ability to switch is valuable, but he’s not a perimeter stopper, and opponents can target weaker defenders like Gary Trent Jr. or Kyle Kuzma.

    3. Playoff Provenance

    Turner’s playoff resume, while solid, doesn’t match the impact of a true co-star. During the Pacers’ Finals run, he was a secondary contributor behind Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. In contrast, Giannis needs a player who can take over games when he’s double-teamed or fatigued. Turner’s career-high 40-point games are rare, and he’s never been the focal point of a playoff offense. His 2021 Defensive Player of the Year candidacy was notable, but he hasn’t consistently dominated high-stakes games.

    4. Financial and Strategic Risks

    The Bucks’ move to waive Lillard and stretch his $113 million contract over five years ($22.5 million annually) limits their future flexibility. If Turner doesn’t elevate the Bucks to contention, Giannis, who has a player option in 2027-28, may grow restless. Reports indicate mixed feelings from Giannis about the move, with some sources suggesting he was “not pleased” with Lillard’s departure despite excitement for Turner. The pressure is on Turner to deliver immediately, but his skill set may not fully address the Bucks’ postseason shortcomings.

    What Giannis Needs in High-Pressure Games

    To truly solve Giannis’ problems in high-pressure games, the Bucks need:

    • A Primary Perimeter Creator: A guard who can break down defences, create shots, and alleviate Giannis’ play-making burden. Lillard, despite his struggles, provided this to an extent. Current options like Kevin Porter Jr. or Gary Trent Jr. lack the consistency of an elite point guard.
    • Versatile Wing Defender: A player like Jrue Holiday, who could guard multiple positions and handle the ball, was critical in 2021. Turner’s interior defense is strong, but the Bucks need perimeter stoppers to counter guards like Haliburton or Jalen Brunson.
    • Clutch Scoring: Giannis’ 62% field goal percentage is elite, but his free-throw shooting (65-70% in playoffs) and lack of a reliable jumper limit his clutch scoring. Turner’s three-point shooting helps, but he’s not a go-to scorer in tight games.

    So will it move the needle?

    Myles Turner is a valuable addition to the Bucks, bringing defensive versatility and floor-spacing that complements Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game. His shot-blocking and three-point shooting address some of Milwaukee’s needs, particularly in replacing Brook Lopez. However, Turner’s limitations—weak rebounding, lack of play-making, and inconsistent playoff impact—mean he’s not the complete solution for Giannis’ high-pressure struggles. The Bucks’ lack of a primary creator, perimeter defence, and clutch scoring options remain unaddressed, and the financial burden of Lillard’s stretched contract adds pressure for immediate results. Unless Turner significantly elevates his game or the Bucks make additional moves, Giannis may continue to face the same postseason challenges, potentially fuelling speculation about his long-term future in Milwaukee. If they are lucky, maybe they get to the second round of the playoffs this year. For Giannis the No1 priority is to make sure everyone keeps blaming the rest of the roster and not him.

  • No NBA Player Would Want to Join the Bucks because of Giannis

    No NBA Player Would Want to Join the Bucks because of Giannis

    Some former teammates have described Giannis as “tough to play with,” citing his high standards and occasional trust issues with teammates. John Henson noted that Giannis and Khris Middleton “butted heads” as Middleton had to earn Giannis’ trust, and that Giannis’ approach is challenging for some players to adjust to. This is not uncommon among superstar-led teams, where the franchise is built around one transcendent talent but Giannis is particularly limited in skill set and basketball IQ. I am not the only arguing that his style of play is out of touch with modern NBA basketball.

    Giannis’ style used to be predicated on relentless effort, two-way play, and a focus on team defence and hustle. In the past years he has clearly toned down his defence though, focusing on points/assists and rebound statistics. This has shaped the Bucks’ roster construction, often favouring players who are willing to buy into a team-first, Giannis-oriented mentality over ball-dominant stars. This means that the Bucks are not the ideal destination for certain types of superstars, but have consistently attracted role players and two-way contributors who don’t mind never been in the limelight and putting up with Giannis‘ selfish stat padding.

    The Bucks’ organisation is known for its lack of drama and its commitment to a collective culture. Players who embrace this culture—such as Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez—have flourished one day and then received hate the next. In the long term it seems nice but it is a toxic and unwelcoming environment as the fans demand more rings unfairly. The pinnacle? Giannis saying he “did it the right way” and thus demoting his team as “not superstars”. The ultimate put down to the roster that got him there.

    The Giannis Playstyle: A Double-Edged Sword for Teammates

    Giannis’s unique, drive-heavy, rim-attacking style used to be incredibly effective. He still seems to get to the basket at will in the regular season, drawing fouls and creating opportunities. However, this very strength can become a challenge for complementary players.

    • Spacing Concerns: Giannis thrives with open lanes to the basket. This often necessitates surrounding him with multiple high-volume three-point shooters. For players who prefer to operate in the mid-range or post, or who aren’t elite perimeter shooters, playing alongside Giannis can feel constricting. The paint can get clogged, limiting their own offensive creativity and effectiveness. While the Bucks have worked to optimize their offense around him, the core principle remains: Giannis needs space to wreak havoc.
    • Ball Dominance vs. Player Role: While Giannis is an unwilling passer and his game naturally dictates a high usage rate. He thinks he is at his best with the ball in his hands, attacking downhill. This can reduce opportunities for other star-level players who are accustomed to being primary ball-handlers or creating their own shots. Players might worry about their offensive rhythm, their statistics, and ultimately, their overall impact on a team where Giannis is the undisputed offensive hub.
    • “No Bag” Narrative : Giannis’ lack of a consistent jump shot, dribbling skills or diverse offensive arsenal is a real problem in 2025. Most players might prefer to play with a superstar who offers more traditional versatility, believing it opens up the game more for everyone. No two ways about it, Giannis is a ball hog and a one trick pony.

    Team Building Challenges Around a Max Superstar

    The nature of the NBA’s salary cap and luxury tax makes building a championship contender around a max-contract superstar incredibly challenging.

    • Limited Flexibility: With Giannis commanding a significant portion of the salary cap, the Bucks often have limited financial flexibility to acquire other high-caliber talent. They often rely on astute drafting, shrewd trades, and value free-agent signings to fill out the roster. This can make it difficult to consistently surround Giannis with the optimal supporting cast, especially as complementary players age or decline.
    • Pressure to Win Now: The presence of a superstar like Giannis creates immediate championship expectations. This “win-now” mentality can lead to short-term decisions that might not be sustainable, and if the team falls short, the pressure intensifies on everyone, including new additions.

    It’s just a bad narrative and we have seen it play out every year since the championship. It’s always “Giannis was great but needs help” (which is 100% not true as I analyse here.) “Giannis got 30 but what about everyone else?” even though they hardly saw the ball at all! The entire Bucks organisation is built around satisfying his every whim and Giannis seems to have guided transfers and coaching changes to suit that. What room does that leave for anyone else?

    It’s not about a lack of respect for Giannis, but rather a complex calculation of on-court fit, team dynamics, and personal aspirations that often dictates where top talent chooses to play. The quest for an NBA championship is multifaceted, and sometimes, the perfect fit isn’t just about raw talent, but about how all the pieces, including the superstar, truly complement each other. It is often said that Giannis lacks basketball IQ on the court. Well it seems he lacks it off the court as well in terms of a solid long term plan.

  • “Giannis Needs Help” Is a Misguided Narrative

    “Giannis Needs Help” Is a Misguided Narrative

    The narrative that Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ two-time MVP and NBA champion, “needs help” has been a persistent talking point among fans, analysts, and media. Every playoff disappointment or regular-season struggle prompts calls for the Bucks to acquire another superstar or bolster their roster to support their franchise player. However, this perspective oversimplifies the Bucks’ challenges and ignores a critical truth: Giannis himself is often a significant factor in the team’s shortcomings. While his dominance is undeniable, his playstyle, decision-making, and limitations contribute to Milwaukee’s struggles more than the lack of “help” around him.

    The Myth of Insufficient Support

    The argument that Giannis lacks adequate support often stems from the Bucks’ playoff exits, such as their first-round loss to the Miami Heat in 2023 or their 2024 defeat to the Indiana Pacers. Critics point to the roster, claiming it fails to complement Giannis’s skill set. However, this overlooks the quality of players Milwaukee has assembled. Khris Middleton, a three-time All-Star, has been a reliable second option, averaging 20.1 points per game in the 2022-23 season with a knack for clutch shot-making. Jrue Holiday, before his trade to Boston, was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and a steady playmaker. Damian Lillard, acquired in 2023, is one of the league’s premier offensive engines, averaging 24.3 points and 7.0 assists in his first season with Milwaukee. Brook Lopez, a Defensive Player of the Year finalist, anchors the paint, while players like Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton provide depth.

    This is not a barren roster. The Bucks’ supporting cast has consistently ranked among the league’s better ensembles, with Milwaukee finishing the 2022-23 season with the NBA’s best record (58-24). Blaming the roster ignores the fact that teams like the 2023 Heat or 2024 Pacers, who ousted Milwaukee, were not necessarily more talented but executed better. The issue isn’t a lack of talent around Giannis—it’s how his playstyle interacts with that talent.

    Giannis’s Playstyle: A Double-Edged Sword

    Giannis is a force of nature, a 6’11” freight train who combines athleticism, length, and defensive versatility in the past. His ability to drive to the rim, collapse defences, and finish through contact is impressive, evidenced by his career average of 22.9 points per game on 54.7% shooting (as of the 2024-25 season). However, his approach, while devastating, creates challenges that hinder the Bucks in critical moments. When it counts, Giannis comes up short.

    Over-Reliance on Drives

    Giannis’s game revolves around attacking the basket, often bulldozing through defenders to score or draw fouls. He led the NBA in free-throw attempts per game (11.0) in the 2022-23 season, a testament to his rim pressure. But this one-dimensional approach allows opponents to game-plan effectively. Teams like the Heat and Raptors (in 2019) have employed the “Giannis Wall,” packing the paint with multiple defenders to neutralize his drives. Without a consistent outside shot—his three-point percentage hovers around 27.7% for his career—Giannis struggles when teams dare him to shoot.

    This predictability forces the Bucks into stagnant offensive sets. When Giannis barrels into a crowded paint, it often results in turnovers (3.1 per game career average) or low-percentage shots. His insistence on driving, even against set defenses, disrupts Milwaukee’s flow, limiting opportunities for shooters like Lillard or Middleton to exploit open looks. Compare this to players like Nikola Jokić, who blends scoring with elite playmaking (9.0 assists per game in 2023-24), or Kevin Durant, whose mid-range and three-point shooting keep defenses honest. Giannis’s tunnel vision on drives can stifle his team’s offense, making it easier for opponents to dictate the game’s pace.

    Free-Throw Struggles and Pace Issues

    Giannis’s free-throw shooting, while improved, remains a liability at 65.8% for his career. In high-stakes playoff games, this weakness is magnified. Opponents often employ Hack-a-Giannis strategies, slowing the game and disrupting Milwaukee’s rhythm. His lengthy free-throw routine—often exceeding the 10-second limit—further bogs down the pace, frustrating teammates and fans alike. In the 2023 playoffs, Giannis shot 45.3% from the line against Miami, a glaring issue in tight games.

    This slow pace clashes with the modern NBA’s emphasis on speed and spacing. The Bucks ranked 19th in pace (98.5 possessions per game) in 2023-24, limiting their ability to capitalize on transition opportunities where Giannis thrives. His dominance in the half-court often comes at the expense of fluid team play, as teammates stand idle while he attempts to overpower defenders. Giannis simply can’t change the way he plays resulting in the entire team suffering.

    Decision-Making in Crunch Time

    Giannis’s decision-making in clutch situations is another area where he contributes to Milwaukee’s struggles. His choices in critical moments often falter. In the 2021 championship run, Giannis was phenomenal, but Middleton and Holiday frequently bailed him out in clutch scenarios. Fast forward to 2024, and his 4.4 turnovers per game in the playoffs against Indiana highlighted a recurring issue: forcing plays under pressure. Giannis simply can’t think fast enough when it counts, “he has no bag” for the top level of the NBA.

    For example, in Game 5 of the 2023 Heat series, Giannis attempted a game-tying drive with seconds remaining, only to be stripped in traffic, leading to a turnover. A better decision—passing to an open Middleton or Lopez—might have changed the outcome. His reluctance to defer, even when double- or triple-teamed, puts undue pressure on his teammates to compensate for his mistakes. Contrast this with LeBron James, who, despite similar defensive attention, averages 7.4 assists per game by finding open teammates. Giannis’s assist average (5.7 in 2023-24) is solid but doesn’t reflect the same level of trust in his supporting cast.

    The Coaching Carousel and Giannis’s Influence

    The Bucks’ coaching instability—Mike Budenholzer’s firing in 2023, Adrian Griffin’s midseason dismissal in 2024, and Doc Rivers’ uneven tenure—points to another issue tied to Giannis. Reports suggest Giannis has significant influence over team decisions, from roster moves to coaching hires. The trade for Lillard, while a coup, was reportedly driven by Giannis’s desire for a co-star, yet the fit has been clunky. Lillard’s ball-dominant style clashes with Giannis’s need for touches, leading to a disjointed offense (Milwaukee’s offensive rating dropped from 113.3 in 2022-23 to 112.4 in 2023-24).

    Giannis’s reported push for Griffin’s hiring, followed by his quick dismissal, suggests a lack of clarity in his vision for the team. This meddling, while not uncommon for superstars, disrupts continuity. The Bucks’ roster and system are built around Giannis’s strengths, but his influence often prioritizes his comfort over team synergy. For instance, the Bucks’ heavy reliance on drop-coverage defense, tailored to Giannis’s rim protection, limits their ability to switch and adapt against versatile offenses like Miami’s or Boston’s.

    Statistical Context: Giannis’s Impact vs. Efficiency

    To quantify Giannis’s role in Milwaukee’s struggles, consider his advanced metrics. His usage rate (31.2% in 2023-24) is among the league’s highest, reflecting his ball-dominant style. However, his true shooting percentage (61.3%) lags behind players like Jokić (63.1%) or Anthony Davis (62.4%), who balance efficiency with playmaking. Giannis’s high usage often comes at the expense of teammates’ involvement, as evidenced by Middleton’s shot attempts dropping from 15.1 per game in 2022-23 to 13.0 in 2023-24 despite similar minutes.

    Defensively his tendency to roam for highlight plays can leave the Bucks vulnerable, especially against pick-and-roll-heavy teams. In the 2024 playoffs, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton exploited Milwaukee’s drop coverage, averaging 8.7 assists per game. Giannis’s defensive discipline still wanes in crucial moments, contributing to breakdowns.

    The Counterargument: Does Giannis Really Need Help?

    Defenders of the “Giannis needs help” narrative argue that no superstar can win alone. They point to Milwaukee’s injury issues—Middleton’s ankle problems in 2023, Giannis’s own calf injury in 2024—as evidence that the roster fails him in key moments. They also note that Lillard’s defensive limitations and Middleton’s inconsistency place too much burden on Giannis.

    While injuries are a factor, they don’t fully excuse the Bucks’ failures. Teams like the 2023 Nuggets and 2024 Celtics overcame injuries through system cohesion and star adaptability. Giannis, by contrast, often sticks to his strengths rather than adjusting to opponents’ schemes. His refusal to develop a reliable jumper or refine his play making limits Milwaukee’s ceiling, regardless of who’s on the roster.

    Giannis Must Evolve and fans need to stop making up excuses for him

    The “Giannis needs help” narrative is a convenient scapegoat that shifts focus from the real issue: Giannis’s own limitations are a significant driver of Milwaukee’s problems. His predictable play style, clutch-time struggles, and influence over team decisions create challenges that no amount of roster tinkering can fully resolve. While he’s a generational talent, Giannis must evolve—whether by developing a jumper, improving his free-throw shooting, or trusting his teammates more in crunch time—to maximize the Bucks’ potential.

    The Bucks don’t need another superstar; they need Giannis to address the gaps in his game and adapt to modern NBA demands. Until then, the narrative that he “needs help” will persist, but it’s a distraction from the truth: Giannis is both the Bucks’ greatest asset and, at times, their biggest obstacle.

    Stats and data referenced are accurate as of the 2024-25 NBA season and sourced from Basketball-Reference and NBA.com.

  • Doc Rivers’ Tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis loves him, end of story

    Doc Rivers’ Tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis loves him, end of story

    Doc Rivers, a seasoned NBA coach with a storied career, joined the Milwaukee Bucks mid season in 2024, taking over from Adrian Griffin after a surprising mid-campaign firing. With a resume boasting an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008, over 1,150 regular-season wins, and a reputation as a players’ coach, Rivers was expected to elevate the Bucks to championship contention. However, his time with the Bucks has been a roller coaster of highs, lows, and intense scrutiny. And in the modern NBA it is easier to make coaches the scapegoats than players.

    The Appointment: A Midseason ShakeUp

    In January 2024, the Bucks made a bold move by dismissing Adrian Griffin after just 43 games, despite a 30-13 record. The decision shocked the NBA world, given the team’s strong standing in the Eastern Conference. Rivers, who had been serving as an ESPN analyst after his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, was brought in as head coach. His hiring was seen as a gamble to maximise the championship window of stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, acquired in a blockbuster trade before the 2023-24 season. Rivers’ extensive experience coaching the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and 76ers—made him an appealing choice for a team with immediate title aspirations.

    However, the transition wasn’t seamless. The Bucks were still paying former coaches Mike Budenholzer and Griffin, adding financial complexity to the move. Rivers inherited a talented but injury-plagued roster, and his mid season arrival meant adapting to a team already in motion. Early struggles raised eyebrows, with the Bucks posting an 18-23 record in their first 41 games under Rivers, prompting criticism from fans. One remarked, “Bucks are 18-23 since hiring Doc Rivers… That’s a crazy way to waste Giannis and Dame pairing.”

    Performance in the 2023-24 Season

    Rivers’ first partial season with the Bucks (2023-24) ended with a 49-33 record, securing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the playoffs were a disappointment. The Bucks faced the Indiana Pacers in the first round and were eliminated in six games, marking their second consecutive first-round exit. Injuries to key players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, hampered the team’s performance. Rivers faced criticism for failing to advance, with some pointing to his historical playoff struggles, including three infamous 3-1 series lead collapses with previous teams.

    Rivers addressed the criticism, arguing that the narrative around his playoff losses was “unfair in some ways.” He emphasised that his teams have never been swept in the postseason and highlighted the challenge of coaching underdog teams like the 2003 Orlando Magic, which took a 3-1 lead against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons before collapsing. “I don’t get enough credit for getting the three wins,” Rivers told Andscape, underscoring his ability to position teams for success despite ultimate failures.

    The 2024-25 Season: Challenges and Adjustments

    The 2024-25 season brought more challenges. The Bucks finished with a 48-34 record, landing the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite a talented roster, injuries continued to plague the team. Damian Lillard suffered a blood clot during the regular season and later tore his left Achilles in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the Pacers, contributing to another early exit in a 119-118 overtime loss in Game 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo also battled injuries, though he delivered a heroic 30-point, 20-rebound, 13-assist performance in Game 5.

    Rivers made notable adjustments during the season. After falling 0-2 to the Pacers in the playoffs, he shook up the starting lineup, inserting players like Gary Trent Jr., AJ Green, and Bobby Portis to compensate for Lillard’s absence. The move paid off in Game 3, with the Bucks securing a 117-101 victory, showcasing Rivers’ ability to adapt under pressure. However, the team couldn’t overcome the series deficit, and Rivers’ son, Austin, publicly defended him against critics, arguing that the playoff loss was due to team mistakes rather than coaching errors. “Every possible mistake that a team could make in a minute was made,” Austin Rivers said on The Ryen Russillo Podcast.

    Rivers also faced health challenges during the season. On April 4, 2025, he fell ill during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, forcing assistant coach Darvin Ham to take over. The Bucks won 126-113, demonstrating the team’s resilience and Ham’s readiness, a testament to Rivers’ coaching staff preparation.

    Relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo

    One of the brightest spots of Rivers’ tenure has been his relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP has been vocal about his admiration for Rivers, both as a coach and a person. After the Bucks’ Game 5 loss to the Pacers in 2025, Giannis said, “I love Doc. I think he’s a great human being. He knows how to uplift your spirits and always knows the right thing to say at the right moment.” He humorously added, “He’s been in the NBA for 50 years. Is it 50? I don’t know. Maybe. A lot of years.” Earlier, in February 2024, Giannis described his experience with Rivers as “incredible” and praised his ability to foster team unity.

    This bond has been crucial, especially amid trade rumors surrounding Giannis due to the Bucks’ playoff struggles. Rivers’ ability to connect with his star player has kept the team’s core intact, though speculation about Giannis’ future persists, with some reports suggesting he could chase bigger markets.

    Criticism and Public Perception

    Rivers’ tenure has not been without controversy. A player poll in April 2025 ranked him among the NBA’s worst coaches, with 12.3% of votes, though he was the first coach of a playoff-bound team on the list. Critics point to his postseason record—21 playoff appearances but only two NBA Finals trips and one championship—as evidence of underachievement. The Bucks’ back-to-back first-round exits under Rivers have fuelled this narrative.

    Rivers has pushed back against the criticism, particularly regarding his 3-1 playoff lead collapses. He argues that his teams’ ability to achieve those leads reflects strong coaching, and injuries, like Chris Paul’s in 2015 with the Clippers, often played a role in losses. “One of the things that I’m proud of is we’ve never been swept,” he said, highlighting his teams’ competitiveness.

    Coaching Staff and Organizational Context

    Rivers has leaned on a strong coaching staff, including Darvin Ham, a former Lakers head coach, and his son Spencer Rivers, an assistant coach. The Bucks also saw one of their assistants eyed for a head coaching role elsewhere in May 2025, indicating the quality of Rivers’ staff. However, the organization faces financial constraints, still paying out contracts for former coaches Budenholzer and Griffin, which could complicate any decision to move on from Rivers.

    Looking Ahead

    The Bucks face a pivotal offseason. With Lillard’s Achilles injury and Giannis’ future uncertain, Rivers’ ability to navigate roster changes and injuries will be critical. His regular-season success—nearing Phil Jackson’s win total and securing playoff berths—demonstrates his coaching prowess, but postseason results remain the ultimate measure. Rivers’ experience, player relationships, and adaptability suggest he can steer the Bucks toward deeper playoff runs, but the pressure is on to deliver a championship with a roster built for now.

    Areas of Limited or No Improvement of Giannis under Doc Rivers

    Post Play Efficiency
    While Giannis is dominant in the post, his efficiency against elite defensive teams hasn’t improved under Rivers. Opponents like the Pacers in the 2024 and 2025 playoffs used physical, switch-heavy defences to slow him down, and Rivers’ adjustments (e.g., lineup changes) didn’t fully counter this. Giannis’ post moves remain predictable, relying on power over finesse, and Rivers hasn’t introduced noticeable new wrinkles to his low-post game, such as counters to double-teams or refined footwork.

    Three-Point Shooting
    Giannis’ three-point shooting has not shown notable progress under Rivers. Historically, his outside shot has been a weak point, with career averages hovering around 28-29% from beyond the arc. In the 2023-24 season, he shot 27.4% on 1.3 attempts per game, and in 2024-25, reports suggest no significant uptick in efficiency or volume. Rivers’ offensive schemes have leaned heavily on Giannis’ paint dominance and playmaking, with less emphasis on developing his perimeter game. Fans have noted frustration with Giannis’ lack of a reliable jump shot, with one user stating, “Giannis still can’t shoot threes, and Doc’s not fixing that.” While Rivers has encouraged team-oriented play, there’s no evidence of targeted work to improve Giannis’ three-point consistency. In the modern NBA lack of 3pt is a serious impediment for the whole team and Giannis shot worse than ever this season.

    Free-Throw Shooting
    Free-throw shooting remains a persistent issue for Giannis. His career free-throw percentage is around 70%, but under Rivers, there’s no clear indication of improvement. In the 2023-24 season, he shot 65.7% from the line, a dip from prior years. In the 2024-25 playoffs, his free-throw struggles in high-pressure situations were noted in reports. Rivers’ focus on team unity and Giannis’ role as a facilitator hasn’t translated to addressing this technical flaw, possibly due to limited mid season time or prioritising other aspects of the Bucks’ game plan.

    Late-Game Decision-Making
    Giannis’ decision-making in crunch-time situations has been a point of criticism, particularly in the playoffs. While he’s improved as a playmaker—evidenced by his triple-double in the 2025 playoffs—some analysts argue he still struggles with turnovers or forcing plays in high-stakes moments. For example, during the Bucks’ 2024 and 2025 first-round exits against the Pacers, Giannis’ aggressive style led to occasional rushed shots or turnovers, as noted in game recaps. Rivers’ coaching has emphasised Giannis as the focal point of the offence, but there’s little evidence of specific strategies to refine his late-game composure, such as diversifying his approach or deferring to teammates like Damian Lillard (when healthy). Doc Rivers has resorted to keeping him out of the game as long as possible in the 4th quarter but when Giannis eventually enters he often messes everything up.

    So no, it’s not on Doc Rivers

    Doc Rivers’ tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks is a tale of high expectations, injury setbacks, and a strong connection with Giannis Antetokounmpo. While his regular-season record and leadership have kept the Bucks competitive, playoff disappointments have drawn criticism. Rivers’ ability to adapt, as seen in lineup changes and his handling of adversity, shows why he remains a respected figure in the NBA. Whether he can lead the Bucks to another title will define his legacy in Milwaukee. For now, his bond with Giannis and his resilience in the face of scrutiny keep him with the Bucks but the honest truth is that Giannis is the source of the inflexibility, not Doc. The Bucks have a lot of problems. Doc Rivers is not No1.

  • The Pacers will throw game 3. Here is why

    The Pacers will throw game 3. Here is why

    The Pacers have no reason to win Game 3 against the Bucks. They are much better off losing and then winning the next two games. Estimating the revenue from an extra home game for the Indiana Pacers against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2025 NBA playoffs involves analysing ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, and other game-day income sources.

    Key Revenue Streams

    1. Ticket Sales:
    • Average Ticket Price: The average ticket price for Pacers games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is around $76, though playoff games often command higher prices. For a high-profile playoff game against the Bucks, prices could range from $100 to $150 on average, with premium seats (courtside, lower bowl) pushing the average higher.
    • Attendance: Gainbridge Fieldhouse has a capacity of approximately 18,165 for basketball. The Pacers averaged 17,274 fans per game in the 2024-25 regular season, with playoff games often selling out. Assuming a near-capacity crowd of 18,000 for a playoff game:
      • Revenue = 18,000 × $125 (conservative average ticket price) = $2,250,000.
    • Playoff games typically see a price premium. If prices average $150, revenue could reach $2,700,000.
    1. Concessions:
    • Fans spend roughly $15–$25 per person on food and beverages, based on NBA arena averages. For 18,000 attendees spending $20 each:
      • Revenue = 18,000 × $20 = $360,000.
    • High-demand playoff games may increase per-capita spending slightly, potentially pushing this to $400,000.
    1. Merchandise:
    • In-arena merchandise (jerseys, hats, etc.) generates about $5–$10 per fan. Assuming $7 per attendee:
      • Revenue = 18,000 × $7 = $126,000.
    • Playoff games boost merchandise sales due to fan excitement, so this could rise to $150,000.
    1. Parking and Miscellaneous:
    • Parking at Gainbridge Fieldhouse costs $15–$30 per vehicle. Assuming 5,000 vehicles (accounting for carpooling) at $20 each:
      • Revenue = 5,000 × $20 = $100,000.
    • Other revenue (e.g., in-arena sponsorships, VIP packages) could add $50,000–$100,000.

    Total Estimated Revenue

    • Conservative Estimate:
    • Tickets: $2,250,000
    • Concessions: $360,000
    • Merchandise: $126,000
    • Parking/Misc.: $150,000
    • Total: $2,886,000
    • Optimistic Estimate (higher ticket prices, increased spending):
    • Tickets: $2,700,000
    • Concessions: $400,000
    • Merchandise: $150,000
    • Parking/Misc.: $200,000
    • Total: $3,450,000

    Considerations

    • Playoff Context: The Pacers and Bucks met in the 2025 Eastern Conference First Round, with the Pacers leading 2-0 after home games on April 19 and 22. An extra home game would likely be a playoff game, increasing demand and prices.
    • Costs: Revenue is offset by operational costs (staffing, utilities, player bonuses), which can range from $500,000 to $1,000,000 per game. Net profit would be lower, likely $2,000,000–$2,500,000.
    • Revenue Sharing: The NBA’s revenue-sharing model and gate receipt splits (home team keeps ~60–70% of ticket revenue after league taxes) reduce the Pacers’ take slightly.
    • Fan Experience: A review on Ticketmaster praised the Pacers’ game experience, noting reasonable concession prices and high fan engagement, which supports strong attendance and spending.

    It’s a lot of money!

    The Indiana Pacers would likely generate $2.9 million to $3.5 million in gross revenue from an extra home game against the Milwaukee Bucks, with net profit around $2.0 million to $2.5 million after costs and revenue sharing. This estimate assumes a sold-out playoff game with elevated ticket prices and typical fan spending patterns.

    The idea that smaller-market NBA teams, like the Indiana Pacers, might consider losing games intentionally to extend a playoff series and play more home games for revenue raises ethical and competitive concerns. Let’s break down the fairness and implications of such a strategy.

    Why Smaller Teams Might Be Tempted

    • Financial Incentive: As estimated, a single home playoff game can generate $2.9M–$3.5M in revenue for the Pacers. Smaller-market teams, with less lucrative local TV deals and sponsorships compared to big-market teams (e.g., Lakers, Knicks), rely heavily on game-day revenue. Extending a series by even one home game can significantly boost their budget.
    • Revenue Disparity: In the 2023-24 season, the Pacers’ franchise value was $3.48B (24th in the NBA), far below the Knicks ($7.43B) or Lakers ($7.34B). Big-market teams benefit from larger fan bases and media markets, while smaller teams like Indiana, Memphis, or Oklahoma City face tighter financial constraints.
    • Playoff Structure: The NBA playoff format (best-of-seven series) means a team can lose games and still advance, potentially incentivizing strategic losses to secure extra home games (e.g., losing a road game to force a Game 5 or 7 at home).

    Is It Unfair?

    1. To Fans:
    • Fans pay high prices for tickets (e.g., $100–$150 for Pacers playoff games) expecting maximum effort. Intentionally losing undermines trust and devalues the fan experience, especially for loyal smaller-market supporters who may have fewer opportunities to attend games.
    • Social media posts often highlight fan frustration with perceived tanking or lack of effort, suggesting a backlash if such a strategy became evident.
    1. To the Sport’s Integrity:
    • Deliberately losing violates the NBA’s competitive ethos and could lead to sanctions. The league has cracked down on tanking (e.g., fining teams for resting stars in key games) and would likely view intentional playoff losses as a serious breach.
    • It disadvantages opponents who play to win, skewing the competitive balance. For example, a team like the Bucks, fighting for a championship, could be unfairly extended in a series, draining their energy for later rounds.
    1. To Smaller Teams Themselves:
    • Losing on purpose risks long-term consequences, like damaging team morale, coaching credibility, or player development. Young stars like Tyrese Haliburton thrive on winning, and a culture of strategic losing could alienate talent. But one game won’t make a difference, will it?
    • The financial gain from one extra game ($2M–$2.5M net) is significant but pales compared to the potential revenue from advancing further in the playoffs or building a winning brand that attracts sponsors and fans. Truth is though that it won’t make a massive difference to rest days and who knows about the next playoff round anyway? Things are tough!
    1. Systemic Fairness:
    • The NBA’s structure already disadvantages smaller-market teams due to revenue disparities. Forcing them to consider unethical strategies like losing on purpose highlights a deeper inequity. However, this doesn’t justify undermining competition; it points to a need for structural fixes (e.g., enhanced revenue sharing).
    • The league’s salary cap and luxury tax aim to level the playing field, but big-market teams still dominate financially. Smaller teams shouldn’t have to resort to gaming the system to survive.

    Alternatives to Strategic Losing

    • Maximizing Home Game Revenue: Teams can boost per-game revenue through dynamic ticket pricing, premium seating, or enhanced fan experiences (e.g., concerts, giveaways). The Pacers’ strong fan engagement, as noted in Ticketmaster reviews, suggests they could capitalize on this without compromising integrity.
    • Advancing in Playoffs: Winning series generates more home games (e.g., a deep playoff run could yield 4–6 home games) and builds long-term fan loyalty and sponsorships, far outweighing the short-term gain of an extra game.
    • League Reforms: The NBA could address inequities by increasing revenue sharing, subsidizing smaller markets, or adjusting playoff gate receipt splits to give home teams a larger share (currently ~60–70% after league taxes).

    Is it fair? Hell no!

    It’s unfair for smaller-market NBA teams like the Pacers to feel pressured to lose on purpose for extra home game revenue, as it undermines fans, competition, and the sport’s integrity. The temptation stems from real financial disparities, but the short-term gain ($2.9M–$3.5M per game) doesn’t justify the ethical and long-term costs. Instead, teams should focus on maximising revenue through fan engagement and winning, while the NBA could address inequities through structural reforms. Strategic losing is a losing proposition in every sense. So the Pacers can’t look like they lost the game on purpose but… they will give it away. After all it is very likely they don’t go much further in the playoffs anyway. So grab the money while you can.

  • Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Struggles Against the Indiana Pacers

    Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Struggles Against the Indiana Pacers

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ two-time MVP is a match up nightmare for most teams. His blend of size, speed, and skill allows him to bulldoze through defences, finish at the rim with authority, and rack up points, rebounds, and assists at an elite level. However, against the Indiana Pacers, Giannis has occasionally faced challenges that limit his usual dominance. While he’s had monster games against them—most notably a franchise-record 64-point outburst in 2023—the Pacers have developed strategies that exploit specific weaknesses in his game and the Bucks’ overall approach.

    The Pacers’ Defensive Blueprint: Crowding the Paint

    The cornerstone of Indiana’s success against Giannis lies in their ability to neutralise his greatest strength: his paint dominance. Giannis thrives on driving to the basket, where he uses his 6’11” frame and 7’3” wingspan to overpower defenders and finish through contact. According to NBA.com stats, Giannis led the league in points in the paint during the 2024-25 season, averaging around 20 points per game in the restricted area alone. It is his go to weapon, in fact as we have analysed in depth, Giannis forgets the mid range under pressure. However, the Pacers have consistently disrupted this formula by crowding the paint and forcing him into less comfortable situations.

    In a March 2025 match up, for example, Giannis scored just 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, well below his season average of 32.7 points per game. The Pacers employed a strategy of sending double-teams early in possessions, particularly when Giannis initiated his drives from the top of the key. By collapsing multiple defenders into the paint, Indiana limited his ability to get clean looks at the rim. This approach often forced Giannis to kick the ball out to teammates, testing the Bucks’ perimeter shooting—a known inconsistency for Milwaukee, especially in high-pressure games. The Pacers’ defenders, including Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam, are mobile enough to rotate quickly, ensuring that open shooters are contested even after Giannis passes out of doubles.

    This tactic isn’t just about physicality; it’s about timing. Indiana anticipates Giannis’ first step, often sagging off less threatening shooters like Brook Lopez to clog driving lanes. In the same March game, Giannis attempted only three free throws, a stark contrast to his season average of 10.5 attempts per game. The Pacers’ disciplined defense avoided fouling, keeping Giannis off the line where he typically racks up easy points despite his 68% free-throw shooting. By limiting his rim attacks and free-throw opportunities, Indiana effectively capped his scoring output. And don’t forget that Giannis’ free throw percentage is horrible. And it gets worse under pressure. Always.

    Exploiting Giannis’ Limited Jump Shot

    Another key factor in Giannis’ struggles is his lack of a reliable outside shot, which the Pacers exploit mercilessly. Giannis he remains a non-threat from beyond the arc, attempting fewer than one 3-pointer per game and shooting at a percentage which may be the worse single season in the history of the NBA for any player shooting this many 3s. Indiana takes advantage of this by daring him to shoot from distance, sagging off him when he’s at the perimeter to pack the paint or help on other Bucks players.

    In their 2024-25 regular-season meetings, the Pacers frequently assigned versatile defenders like Siakam or Aaron Nesmith to guard Giannis one-on-one at the top of the key, giving him space to shoot while staying ready to contest his drives. This approach puts Giannis in a bind: he either takes a low-percentage jumper or hesitates, allowing Indiana’s defense to reset. In a December 2024 game, Giannis went 0-for-2 from mid-range and didn’t attempt a single 3-pointer, as Indiana’s defenders baited him into less efficient shots. This strategy not only reduces his scoring efficiency but also slows down Milwaukee’s offense, which relies heavily on Giannis’ ability to collapse defenses and create open looks for others.

    The lack of a jump shot also affects Giannis in crunch time. In close games against Indiana, such as their 115-114 thriller in March 2025, the Pacers tightened their defense in the final minutes, forcing Giannis to operate in traffic. Without the confidence to pull up from 15 feet or beyond, he struggled to create separation, leading to contested shots or turnovers. His seven assists in that game were impressive, but the Bucks’ 4-of-15 shooting from deep underscored their reliance on Giannis to generate offense when perimeter shots aren’t falling.

    Indiana’s Pace and Transition Game

    The Pacers’ up-tempo style is another hurdle for Giannis and the Bucks. Indiana ranked among the top five teams in pace during the 2024-25 season, pushing the ball at every opportunity to create transition scoring chances. This approach exploits Milwaukee’s occasionally sluggish transition defense, which Giannis, despite his athleticism, can’t always single-handedly fix.

    In their 2024 playoff series, the Pacers averaged 104.6 possessions per game against Milwaukee, compared to the Bucks’ season average of 98.2. Indiana’s guards, led by Tyrese Haliburton, thrive in the open court, where they can attack before Giannis can anchor the defense in the paint. Haliburton’s ability to pull up for 3s or lob to rim-runners like Turner or Isaiah Jackson forces Giannis to cover more ground than he’s comfortable with. In Game 4 of that series, Indiana scored 22 fast-break points, with Giannis caught out of position on several plays due to the Pacers’ relentless speed.

    Offensively, the fast pace can wear Giannis down over the course of a game. While he’s one of the league’s best-conditioned athletes, Indiana’s constant pressure forces him to expend energy on both ends—chasing shooters in transition and battling for position in the half-court. In a January 2025 loss, Giannis played 38 minutes, scoring 28 points but committing four turnovers, three of which came in the second half as fatigue set in. The Pacers’ ability to dictate tempo limits Giannis’ ability to control the game’s rhythm, which is critical for a player who thrives in methodical, physical matchups.

    Matchup Problems: Turner and Siakam

    The Pacers’ frontcourt duo of Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam presents unique challenges for Giannis. Turner, one of the NBA’s premier rim protectors, averages 2.1 blocks per game and has the mobility to step out and contest Giannis on the perimeter when needed. In their 2024-25 encounters, Turner’s ability to stay in front of Giannis without fouling disrupted Milwaukee’s offensive flow. In the March 2025 game mentioned earlier, Turner blocked two of Giannis’ shots and altered several others, forcing him into tougher angles at the rim.

    Siakam, meanwhile, brings versatility that Giannis struggles to counter. At 6’9” with a quick first step, Siakam can guard Giannis one-on-one, switch onto guards, or exploit mismatches on offense. In the 2024 playoffs, Siakam averaged 22.3 points per game against Milwaukee, often pulling Giannis away from the basket with his mid-range game and playmaking. When Giannis sags off to protect the paint, Siakam hits pull-up jumpers; when Giannis closes out, Siakam blows by for layups or kick-outs. This dynamic forces Giannis to make defensive decisions he’s less comfortable with, as he’s most effective when anchoring the paint rather than chasing wings.

    The combination of Turner’s rim protection and Siakam’s two-way play creates a balanced attack that Milwaukee struggles to match. Even when Giannis posts big numbers—like his 33.5 points per game in two matchups against Indiana this season—the Pacers’ ability to counter with efficient scoring from their frontcourt limits his overall impact.

    Psychological and Situational Factors

    Beyond tactics and matchups, there’s a psychological edge to Indiana’s success against Giannis. The Pacers have gotten under Milwaukee’s skin in recent years, with heated moments like the 2023 game-ball dispute after Giannis’ 64-point performance. These incidents suggest a level of animosity that can disrupt Giannis’ focus. In the 2024 playoffs, technical fouls and scuffles between the teams created a chippy atmosphere, which seemed to affect Milwaukee’s composure more than Indiana’s. Giannis, who plays with intense emotion, can sometimes get caught up in these battles, leading to uncharacteristic mistakes like his late-game foul on Haliburton in the March 2025 loss.

    Injuries have also played a role. Giannis missed significant time in the 2024 playoff series due to a calf strain, and while he returned to full health for most of 2024-25, nagging issues like a shoulder injury in April 2025 occasionally limited his explosiveness. In a December 2024 game, he was listed as questionable with an illness and played only 32 minutes, scoring 24 points on subpar efficiency. The Pacers capitalize on any dip in Giannis’ physicality, as their high-energy style thrives against teams that aren’t at 100%.

    Historical Context and Giannis’ Successes

    It’s worth noting that Giannis hasn’t always struggled against Indiana. Over the last two seasons, he’s averaged 36.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game against them, per StatMuse, with a 66.2% field-goal percentage. His 64-point game in 2023 and a 41-point, 12-rebound performance earlier that season highlight his ability to dominate when the Pacers’ defense falters. However, these outbursts often come in games where Milwaukee’s shooters are hitting, forcing Indiana to spread their defense thin and open driving lanes for Giannis.

    The Pacers’ success lies in their consistency at executing their anti-Giannis game plan, particularly in playoff settings. In the 2024 first-round series, Indiana won 4-2, with Giannis missing the first two games and struggling to find rhythm upon his return. Even in regular-season losses, the Pacers keep games close, as evidenced by their 4-1 record against Milwaukee in 2023-24. This track record gives them confidence that they can contain Giannis, even if they can’t stop him entirely.

    How Giannis Can Overcome These Struggles

    For Giannis to reclaim his dominance against Indiana, a few adjustments could make a difference:

    1. Develop a Pull-Up Game: Adding a consistent mid-range jumper would force the Pacers to guard him honestly, opening up the paint for his drives. He’s shown flashes of this, but greater confidence in his shot could change the dynamic. This is unlikely to happen however now.
    2. Trust Teammates Early: Giannis often tries to take over when he’s frustrated, but passing out of double-teams quickly and letting players like Lillard or Middleton attack can punish Indiana’s aggressive rotations. He kills ball flow and his team’s chances like this though.
    3. Improve Transition Defense: By setting the tone defensively, Giannis can slow Indiana’s pace and keep the game in the half-court, where he’s most comfortable.
    4. Stay Composed: Avoiding emotional flare-ups will help Giannis maintain focus, especially in tight games where Indiana thrives on chaos. Giannis has always lacked in basketball IQ but he should at least know when to let Dame take over.

    On the Bucks’ end, better spacing and shooting from role players would force Indiana to rethink their pack-the-paint strategy. If Lopez or Middleton can knock down 3s consistently, the Pacers may have to abandon their doubling tactics, giving Giannis more room to operate.

    So how will it go this year in the playoffs?

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s struggles against the Indiana Pacers stem from a combination of smart defensive schemes, matchup challenges, and situational factors. The Pacers’ ability to crowd the paint, exploit his lack of a jump shot, and push the pace creates problems that even a player of Giannis’ caliber can’t always solve. Players like Turner and Siakam amplify these issues with their defensive versatility, while Indiana’s psychological edge and fast-paced style keep Milwaukee off balance. Yet, Giannis’ track record shows he’s capable of overcoming these hurdles with the right adjustments and support from his team.

    For now, Indiana remains one of the few teams that can slow the Greek Freak, making their match ups must-watch battles in the Eastern Conference.

    Sources:

    • NBA.com for advanced stats and game logs.
    • StatMuse for Giannis’ historical performance against the Pacers.
    • Game reports from The Athletic, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated for specific matchup details.

    Note: All stats and game references are accurate as of April 11, 2025, based on the 2024-25 NBA season and prior years.

  • The Myth of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Mid-Range Shot part 4 : A Closer Look

    The Myth of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Mid-Range Shot part 4 : A Closer Look

    Over the years, analysts and fans alike have speculated about the evolution of his game, with one narrative gaining traction: Giannis has developed a reliable mid-range shot. This claim, however, is more myth than reality. While Giannis has shown flashes of mid-range competence in certain situations, the idea that he has a consistent, game-changing mid-range jumper—especially in tougher matchups and high-stakes games—doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. 

    The Statistical Mirage, especially in games they lose

    To understand the myth, we first need to look at the numbers. Giannis has indeed increased his mid-range attempts over the years. According to NBA.com stats, in the 2020-21 season (his first MVP year with notable mid-range chatter), he took 2.1 mid-range shots per game, hitting them at a 41.8% clip. Fast forward to the 2023-24 season, and those numbers crept up slightly—2.5 attempts per game at a 43.1% success rate. On the surface, this looks like progress. For a player who once avoided the mid-range entirely, any improvement seems noteworthy.

    However, these stats are misleading without context. Giannis mid-range volume remains a tiny fraction of his overall shot diet. Compare that to true mid-range maestros like Kevin Durant (over 30% of his shots from mid-range in 2023-24) or Chris Paul (a career mid-range savant), and it’s clear Giannis isn’t relying on this shot as a weapon. It just doesn’t add up to points that matter. More importantly, his efficiency drops significantly when facing elite defenses. In the 2023 playoffs, for instance, his mid-range shooting

    plummeted to 36.4% against the Miami Heat, a team that clogged the paint and dared him to shoot. The numbers suggest competence in low-pressure scenarios—like regular-season games against weaker teams—but falter when the stakes rise. That pie chart on the right is his shots in losses. He turns to almost 80% dunking at the rim and forgets other distances.

    Using just official stats from NBA.com here is this season Giannis in the games the Bucks lost. 36.4% of his mid range shots go in.  Last season?  40.3% went in!  So he isn’t improving at all in fact!  If we filter for the harder matchups it gets even worse.  He is only slightly better at 10-14ft, all other distances in the mid range he is shooting worse than last season.   Alley oops, hook shots, finger rolls, layups, even dunk percentages are worse this season. 

    That is this season but look how much better he was last season!

     

    The Eye Test: Form and Function

    Beyond the stats, Giannis’ mid-range shot fails the eye test in tougher match ups. His jumper lacks the fluidity and consistency of players who thrive in that range. His shooting form—marked by a slow release, a slight hitch, and an awkward follow-through—telegraphs his intentions, giving defenders time to contest or recover. Against teams with length and discipline Giannis rarely pulls up confidently from 15 feet. Instead, he reverts to his bread and butter: bulldozing to the rim or kicking out to shooters.

    That table above shows clearly how much worse Giannis is this season in most types of shots. If you don’t believe me go to the source, the official stats and see for yourself. He even misses more dunks this year!

    Watch any high-stakes game, and the pattern emerges. In the 2021 Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Giannis attempted just 12 mid-range shots across six games, making five (41.7%). Most of his damage came at the rim (63.1% shooting on 84 attempts) or at the free-throw line (where he took a whopping 71 attempts). The mid-range was an afterthought, not a game-changer. Similarly, in the 2023 first-round loss to Miami, his mid-range attempts were sporadic and ineffective, often forced late in the shot clock rather than a deliberate part of Milwaukee’s strategy. Elite defenses know this and exploit it, sagging off him to protect the paint and living with the occasional jumper. Better still they keep him away from his favourite spots and he takes the bait, going to his bad side of the paint and missing.

    Why It Doesn’t Matter in Big Games

    The myth of Giannis’ mid-range development persists because it’s an appealing narrative. For a player with his physical gifts, adding a jumper would theoretically make him unstoppable. But in reality, it hasn’t—and doesn’t—materially affect games that matter. 

    1. Defensive Game Plans Don’t Change: Teams like Toronto (2019 ECF) and Miami (2020 and 2023 playoffs) built walls in the paint and begged Giannis to shoot from outside. His mid-range “improvement” hasn’t forced them to adjust. They still prioritize stopping his drives, and he hasn’t punished them enough to rethink that approach.

    2. Playoff Pressure Magnifies Weaknesses: In the regular season, Giannis can feast on weaker teams with poor rim protection, occasionally mixing in a mid-range jumper to keep them honest. But in the playoffs, against top-tier coaching and personnel, his lack of confidence and consistency from that range becomes glaring. He hesitates, overthinks, or abandons the shot entirely.

    3. Giannis is a liability in clutch. I outlined 5 very likely scenarios where Giannis should simply not be on the floor. He is shooting free throws worse than ever in his career. And 3points at a percentage that could be the worse for a season in NBA history. Yet he hasn’t got the basketball IQ to know to avoid them!

    The Narrative vs. Reality

    The idea that Giannis has “developed” a mid-range shot stems from a mix of selective highlights and wishful thinking. A pull-up jumper against the Charlotte Hornets in January gets replayed on SportsCenter, and suddenly he’s “expanding his game.” But those moments are outliers, not the norm. Analysts point to his work with shooting coaches or off season training clips, but the results don’t translate when it counts. The Bucks’ 2021 title run wasn’t fueled by mid-range mastery it was about Khris Middleton’s clutch shooting, Brook spreading the floor , a suffocating defence led by Jrue and a team that was one of the best from 3 that season.

    Contrast Giannis with players like Nikola Jokić or Jayson Tatum, who seamlessly weave mid-range shots into their playoff arsenals. Jokić’s floater and fadeaway are lethal against any defence; Tatum’s pull-up keeps opponents guessing. Giannis lacks that dimension. And in tougher match ups against teams that can match his physicality or scheme him out of the paint it shows.

    A Myth That Misses the Point

    Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t have a reliable mid-range shot, and the claim that he’s developed one is a myth propped up by small sample sizes and optimistic storytelling. In games that matter most—playoff battles against elite foes—his mid-range game is non-existent or inconsequential. Defenses don’t respect it, and he doesn’t lean on it.  If anything he is getting worse from mid range when it counts. So just stop regurgitating the myth, it isn’t helping Giannis at all.

  • How Miami Heat Players have defended Giannis Antetokounmpo: Matchups and Strategies

    How Miami Heat Players have defended Giannis Antetokounmpo: Matchups and Strategies

    The Miami Heat have historically had success slowing him down, leveraging a mix of versatile defenders and smart team schemes. Especially when it really counts, the Heat have his number time and time again.

    Bam Adebayo: The Anchor of Versatility

    Defensive Impact:
    Bam Adebayo, Miami’s All-Star center, is often the linchpin of the Heat’s strategy against Giannis. At 6’9” and 255 pounds, Adebayo doesn’t quite match Giannis’ height, but his agility, strength, and defensive IQ make him a formidable match up. One of Giannis’ primary weaknesses is his lack of a consistent outside jump shot—historically, he’s hovered around 30% from three-point range and struggles with mid-range pull-ups. Adebayo exploits this by sagging off Giannis when he’s on the perimeter, daring him to shoot while clogging the paint to deter drives. This season match has been said about Giannis “improving” his mid range but it is a completely bogus claim. In only two mid range distances has he improved but that is only in easy games.

    Adebayo’s lateral quickness allows him to stay in front of Giannis on drives, and his strong lower body helps him absorb contact without giving up easy baskets. Miami often employs a “wall” strategy, where Adebayo is the centrepiece, forming a physical barrier to prevent Giannis from getting a straight line to the rim. This forces Giannis into taking contested shots or passing out to teammates, where his play making isn’t always precise under pressure (evidenced by his occasional turnover spikes against Miami).

    Offensive Exploitation:
    On the flip side, Adebayo takes advantage of Giannis’ defensive tendencies. Giannis is vulnerable to quick decision-makers like Adebayo, who excels as a short-roll play maker in pick-and-roll sets. By pulling Giannis away from the rim, Adebayo either finishes with floaters or dishes to cutters and shooters, exploiting Giannis’ occasional over commitment to protecting the paint.

    Jimmy Butler: The Gritty Perimeter Pest

    Defensive Impact:
    Jimmy Butler, Miami’s heart-and-soul leader, was never the primary defender on Giannis due to size mismatches (Butler is 6’7”), but he was often switched onto him in key moments. Butler thrives by exploiting Giannis’ discomfort in tight spaces. While Giannis dominates in transition and open-floor situations, his ball-handling can get sloppy when pressured in the half-court. Butler’s physicality and active hands force Giannis into hesitation dribbles or awkward passes, occasionally leading to turnovers or forced shots.

    Giannis’ lack of a refined post game is another weakness Butler targets. When Giannis tries to back him down, Butler uses his strength and low center of gravity to hold his ground, often inviting a double-team that clogs Giannis’ driving lanes further. Butler’s tenacity also wears on Giannis mentally, as he’s relentless in denying easy positioning.

    Offensive Exploitation:
    Offensively, Butler attacks Giannis’ aggressive defensive style. Giannis often gambles for steals or blocks, which Butler counters with pump fakes and crafty footwork to draw fouls—Giannis has been prone to foul trouble against Miami’s physical play. Butler’s mid-range game also pulls Giannis out of his comfort zone, as he’s less effective guarding on the perimeter compared to the paint.

    Jae Crowder: The Physical Enforcer (Former Heat Player)

    Defensive Impact:
    Though Jae Crowder is no longer with the Heat as of 2025, his tenure with the team (notably during the 2020 playoffs) showcased how he could neutralize Giannis. At 6’6” and 235 pounds, Crowder brought a bulldog-like physicality that disrupted Giannis’ rhythm. Crowder exploited Giannis’ reliance on momentum by bodying him early in possessions, preventing him from building a head of steam. This forced Giannis into settling for jumpers or passing out of double-teams, where his decision-making under pressure sometimes faltered.

    Crowder’s willingness to bang in the post also exposed Giannis’ occasional struggles with finishing through contact against smaller, stockier defenders who don’t give up ground easily. By staying low and using his frame, Crowder turned Giannis’ drives into a wrestling match rather than a track meet.

    Offensive Exploitation:
    On offense, Crowder stretched Giannis out with his three-point shooting (career 34-35% from deep). Giannis prefers to sag off non-elite shooters, but Crowder’s ability to knock down open looks forced Giannis to respect his range, opening driving lanes for teammates. This dynamic diluted Giannis’ rim protection, a key part of his defensive identity.

    Andre Iguodala: The High-IQ Veteran (Former Heat Player)

    Defensive Impact:
    Andre Iguodala, another ex-Heat contributor from the 2020 bubble run, brought a cerebral approach to defending Giannis. At 6’6” with a long wingspan, Iguodala relied on anticipation rather than raw athleticism. He exploited Giannis’ predictability in certain situations—such as his tendency to euro-step or spin into traffic—by jumping passing lanes or forcing him baseline into help defense. Giannis’ turnover rate often ticked up against Iguodala’s savvy positioning.

    Iguodala also capitalized on Giannis’ discomfort with shooting over smaller defenders who give him space. By sagging off and baiting jumpers, Iguodala turned Giannis into a less efficient version of himself, especially in clutch moments.

    Offensive Exploitation:
    Offensively, Iguodala didn’t attack Giannis directly often, but his playmaking and cutting forced Giannis to stay honest. Giannis’ aggressive help defense left gaps that Iguodala exploited with backdoor cuts or quick passes, keeping Milwaukee’s defense scrambling.

    P.J. Tucker: The Bulldog (Former Heat Player)

    Defensive Impact:
    P.J. Tucker, who joined the Heat in 2021, was a Giannis-stopper during his Miami stint. At 6’5” and 245 pounds, Tucker’s low center of gravity and relentless physicality made him a brick wall. He targeted Giannis’ need for space to operate, chesting him up and denying easy entry into the paint. Tucker’s ability to take “chest bumps” without budging forced Giannis into tougher shots or kick-outs, reducing his efficiency (e.g., dropping his effective field-goal percentage significantly against Miami).

    Tucker also exploited Giannis’ limited perimeter game by giving him room to shoot, knowing the odds favored a miss or a hesitant pass. His one-on-one defense often eliminated the need for doubles, keeping Miami’s scheme intact.

    Offensive Exploitation:
    On offense, Tucker’s corner three-point shooting (career 37% from deep) pulled Giannis away from the rim, weakening Milwaukee’s interior defense. Tucker’s knack for hitting timely shots punished Giannis for sagging off, creating a dilemma for the Bucks’ defensive alignment.

    Current Heat Options: Haywood Highsmith and Nikola Jović

    Haywood Highsmith (Defensive Impact):
    As of 2025, Highsmith (6’7”, 220 pounds) has emerged as a versatile wing defender. His length and hustle allow him to contest Giannis’ drives and recover quickly on closeouts. Highsmith exploits Giannis’ tendency to over-dribble in traffic by swiping at the ball, occasionally forcing turnovers or rushed shots.

    Offensive Exploitation:
    Highsmith’s developing three-point shot (around 38% in recent seasons) forces Giannis to guard him tighter, opening up the floor for Miami’s offense.

    Nikola Jović (Defensive Impact):
    Jović, a 6’10” forward, offers size to match Giannis. While still raw, his length disrupts Giannis’ driving angles, and his mobility helps him stay in front. Jović targets Giannis’ lack of a go-to mid-range move, encouraging him to settle for less efficient shots.

    Offensive Exploitation:
    Jović’s outside shooting and passing stretch Giannis thin, pulling him out of the paint and exposing his slower foot speed on the perimeter.

    Conclusion: Miami’s Collective Edge

    The Miami Heat’s success against Giannis isn’t about one player—it’s a team effort rooted in versatility, physicality, and exploiting his key weaknesses: a shaky jumper, occasional ball-handling sloppiness, and over-reliance on paint scoring. Adebayo anchors the interior, Butler and Highsmith harass on the perimeter, and past contributors like Crowder, Iguodala, and Tucker have shown how to grind Giannis down. Offensively, these players turn Giannis’ aggression against him, drawing fouls, hitting jumpers, or creating space. For tonight Giannis is lucky as they are almost all out with injuries!

  • Debunking the “Giannis Offense”: A Critical Look at the Video’s Claims

    Debunking the “Giannis Offense”: A Critical Look at the Video’s Claims

    The video “The Giannis Offense: How a New Style Took Over the NBA” boldly asserts that a revolutionary basketball strategy—coined the “Giannis offence”—emerged around 2019 and has since transformed the NBA. It credits Giannis Antetokounmpo and coach Mike Budenholzer with pioneering a system where big, athletic, non-shooting forwards initiate from outside, leveraging modern spacing to attack downhill. While the video’s enthusiasm for Giannis’ impact is infectious, its arguments crumble under scrutiny. From exaggerated claims of novelty to shaky stats and historical revisionism, this piece is more hype than substance. Let’s tear it apart.

    Claim 1: A “Completely New Offence” Born in 2019

    The video’s cornerstone is that Giannis and Budenholzer unleashed a “completely new offence” in 2019, driven by spacing and downhill attacks from big forwards. This is a stretch. The idea of a big man handling the ball and attacking from the perimeter isn’t new—it’s been evolving for decades. The video itself admits this, citing LeBron James as a “prototype” with his 2007 playoff drives and 2014 inverted pick-and-rolls in Miami. If LeBron was doing it 12 years earlier, how “new” can this be?

    What’s really happening here is an evolution, not a revolution. The NBA’s spacing boom—fuelled by the three-point explosion—started well before 2019. The 2014-15 Golden State Warriors, with their small-ball lineups and Draymond Green initiating from the top, were already exploiting space for downhill drives. The video glosses over this, cherry-picking 2019 as a starting point because it aligns with Giannis’ first MVP season. But correlation isn’t causation. Spacing and transition attacks were trending league-wide; Giannis just rode the wave. And if anything his change of style these past seasons show that even Giannis has given up, focusing more on stat padding by going to the rim.

    Claim 2: Giannis’ Screening Drop Proves the Shift

    The video touts a stat: Giannis went from setting 26 screens per 100 possessions in 2017 to 9 in 2019, implying this reflects a radical shift to a “downhill” role. This sounds compelling—until you dig into it. Screening stats are notoriously context-dependent. In 2017, under Jason Kidd, the Bucks ran a clunky, post-heavy offence with Giannis often parked near the paint. By 2019, Budenholzer’s system emphasised pace and space, reducing Giannis’ need to screen because shooters like Brook Lopez pulled defenders away. And let’s be honest, years later, Giannis can’t screen. In fact non cherry picked data from basketball Index show him to be one of the worse on ball screeners in the league. He simply doesn’t understand angles.

    But here’s the kicker: Giannis’ screening drop doesn’t uniquely signal a “new offence.” Bigs across the league set fewer screens as spacing increased. Per NBA tracking data (available through 2025), screen frequency for forwards league-wide dipped as teams prioritised early offence over half-court sets. Giannis’ numbers reflect a league trend, not a bespoke innovation. The video’s stat is a flashy distraction, not proof.

    Claim 3: The “Giannis Offense” Is Distinct from Guard-Led Systems

    The video contrasts Giannis’ style with guard-led offences (e.g., Steph Curry or Damian Lillard pulling up from deep), framing it as a “big man who couldn’t shoot” flipping the script. This oversimplifies things. Giannis’ downhill attacks rely on the same principles as guard-led systems: spacing, transition, and exploiting mismatches. The difference is scale, not substance. Curry uses speed and shooting; Giannis uses length and power. Both thrive because defences are stretched thin by the three-point line. After all the Bucks always had the best 3point shooting around Giannis in order to work. (Even if he is heading for the worse 3pt% season in NBA history this year!)

    The video’s insistence on a binary—guards shoot, bigs slash—ignores overlap. LeBron, a big wing, shot jumpers and attacked downhill. Anthony Davis, a centre, has run pick-and-rolls as a ball-handler since his New Orleans days. The “Giannis offence” isn’t a distinct species; it’s a variation on a theme the NBA’s been playing since the mid-2010s.

    Claim 4: Historical Examples Support the Narrative

    The video name-drops Michael Jordan (1991 Finals) and LeBron (2007 vs. Detroit) as precursors, suggesting their downhill drives planted seeds for Giannis. This is historical cherry-picking at its finest. Jordan’s drive was a clutch iso play, not a system. LeBron’s Game 5 heroics leaned on spacing, sure, but he was a one-man show, not a template for bigs. These moments don’t foreshadow a “Giannis offense”—they’re just great players making great plays.

    Meanwhile, the video skips real antecedents. What about Magic Johnson, a 6’9” point guard who ran transition attacks in the 1980s? Or Charles Barkley, bulldozing downhill in Phoenix’s fast-paced 1990s system? The NBA’s had big, athletic ball-handlers attacking space forever. Giannis refined it, but he didn’t invent it. And there is a reason Giannis is getting worse at almost everything from a stat point of view: it was not sustainable.

    Claim 5: 12% of 2025 Possessions Prove Its Rise

    The video cites “tracking data” claiming 12% of NBA possessions in 2025 involve a forward or centre running an inverted pick-and-roll or iso drive, with teams like the Grizzlies (19%) and 2021 Pelicans (20%) leading the charge. This sounds precise—until you realise it’s flimsy. First, it’s unclear what “tracking data” means (no source is given). Second, 12% isn’t an “explosion”—it’s a modest slice of a league still dominated by pick-and-rolls (over 50% of possessions, per public stats).

    The Grizzlies and Pelicans examples don’t help. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zion Williamson are downhill threats, but their teams blend this with traditional actions. Memphis leans on Ja Morant’s pick-and-roll wizardry; New Orleans pairs Zion with shooters like CJ McCollum. The “Giannis offence” isn’t taking over—it’s a complementary tool, not a paradigm shift.

    Claim 6: Non-Shooters Uniquely Benefit

    The video argues this style is “the other side of the shooting revolution,” where non-shooters like Giannis thrive with space. This is half-true but overstated. Non-shooters benefit from spacing—duh. But the video ignores how defences adapt. In the 2019 playoffs, Toronto’s “Giannis rules” (walling off the paint) exposed his lack of a jumper. Even if he had improved as a passer, non-shooters still hit ceilings in half-court settings. The 2021 Finals kickouts the video praises? That’s Giannis adapting to old-school defence, not a new offence breaking the mould.

    Simmons’ decline—blamed on “back pain and free throw phobia”—further undermines this. His downhill game faltered not just from injury, but because teams sagged off him, daring him to shoot. Non-shooters need elite skills elsewhere to make this work. It’s not a universal hack. This season much fuss has been made about Giannis supposed mid range, pick a lane!

    Claim 7: Modern Examples Validate the Trend

    The video lists Zion, Jaren Jackson Jr., Deni Avdija, Jonathan Kuminga, and others as “disciples” of this offence. This is a grab-bag of players with different styles. Zion’s a bulldozer, yes, but his injuries and team context limit the comparison. Jackson Jr. shoots 35% from three—hardly a non-shooter. Avdija’s “turbo” drives are fun, but Portland’s offence doesn’t revolve around him. Kuminga’s vision struggles (noted in the video) make him a poor fit for the play making this supposedly demands.

    These players use spacing to attack, sure. But calling it a cohesive “Giannis offence” is forced. Pascal Siakam turning his back to the basket? That’s post play, not downhill slashing. Evan Mobley and Anthony Davis running inverted pick-and-rolls? That’s just good coaching, not a new gospel.

    The Real Story: Evolution, Not Invention

    Here’s the truth: Giannis is a freak with size and speed. Budenholzer’s system—pace, three-point shooting, and early offence—amplified him. But this isn’t a “new offence” born in 2019. It’s an adaptation of trends (spacing, transition, versatility) that were already reshaping the NBA. The video’s narrative is a tidy story, but it’s built on hype, selective stats, and a shaky grasp of history.

    Why This Matters

    This video isn’t malicious—it’s just sloppy. It’s the kind of content that sounds smart until you poke at it. In 2025, with data and film at our fingertips, we deserve better than overblown claims and mattress ads masquerading as analysis. Giannis was incredible; but his impact is diminishing in modern NBA basketball. As I argue in this blog every day, the championship was an incredible fluke. A lucky outlier. Since then Giannis has never proven himself when it really counts. Hell, I seriously believe he has faked his injuries to avoid seeming a fool in the playoffs. Teams can shut him down, hell, you don’t even need a wall anymore, just one defender that knows Giannis’ two and only moves. Anyone want to rewatch Draymond Green on him recently?

    So let’s not rewrite basketball history to sell a narrative—or a hybrid firm mattress.

    ———-Comments on the video comments – a summary with my take ———————–

    Giannis: A One-Dimensional Crutch for Non-Shooters

    @chickenfriedlobster claims Giannis has “transformed” how big men play, but what’s really transformed here? He’s just a tall guy who can’t shoot, leaning on modern spacing to mask his limitations. LeBron, as @solidussly7 and @timlett99 note, did this with a jumper and elite passing—Giannis is a poor man’s version, exploiting a gimmick that only works because defences are handcuffed by today’s rules (@nydibs credits defensive 3-seconds, not skill). @sebastianleung2897 hails his ball-handling and finishing, but isn’t that just athleticism papering over a lack of real guard skills? This “revolution” feels like a lifeline for players too stubborn to develop a shot.

    A Flashy Fad, Not a Foundation

    The video traces this downhill style to LeBron and Jordan (@Tomtainius), but @17thN.O’s “7-foot Russell Westbrook” jab under Budenholzer stings—Giannis is a transition bully, not a tactician. @Mitthrawnudo asks about Chet and Wemby, but Chet’s barely used this way, and Wemby’s too smart to lean on such a basic play. Even @Mitthrawnudo prefers Franz Wagner’s finesse over Paolo Banchero’s plodding—Giannis’s “offence” might already be passé. @Homer-OJ-Simpson ties it to lax rules (no hand-checking, extra steps), suggesting it’s less innovation, more loophole exploitation.

    The “Disciples”: Pale Imitations

    The comment section’s obsession with Giannis’s “disciples” feels desperate. @Fahronaces mentions Jalen Johnson, but injuries derailed that. @Damasen13 wants Bam Adebayo in this role, yet Miami’s smarter than that (@jady4L ties Bam to Draymond, not Giannis). @TheNamesDitto and @VitalyGutkovich prop up Deni Avdija, but “Turbo” sounds more like a marketing ploy than a threat (@GG-vl7rn). @fresnoniiji clings to Jonathan Kuminga’s potential, but @vicvinegarLLC’s “hold right trigger” dig exposes his brainless aggression. @smz257’s Scottie Barnes take reeks of wishful thinking—Giannis with LeBron’s passing? Please. Giannis has the worse assist to turnover ratio in the league. Even @jdrmanmusiqking’s Tyreke Evans nod implies Giannis stole the act.

    Underrated? Or Overrated?

    Fans like @ualreadykno2K (third in MVP races) and @Apcjrahdocr (tier 1 for seven seasons) prop up Giannis’s consistency, but @nile1790’s 30-11-6 stat feels hollow—where’s the hardware? He crumbles when it counts. @constablekennedy7705 and @johndenver7035 cry “slept on,” yet @colewrld901 lists endless excuses: injuries, Middleton, Dame. @SwashBuckler311 compares him to Kareem, but one ring doesn’t match that legacy. @nigelee and @kumpadri marvel at his strides, but @stevenwhiters8928’s coordination point cuts both ways—most 6’11” guys don’t need to dribble because they have actual skills.

    Tactical Hype Outpaces Reality

    @Tomtainius loves the inverted pick-and-roll, but it’s a highlight reel crutch, not genius. @vanhoot2234’s handle focus ignores Giannis’s clunky decision-making. @bnsz8704 and @pinobluevogel6458 laud spacing evolution, but @loooooop-2’s SGA twist shows smaller guys do it better. @Apcjrahdocr’s Mobley-JJJ fantasy is a pipe dream—Giannis’s system collapses with another non-shooter (@video). @bubasaba credits Jason Kidd, but Budenholzer’s the one stuck with this one-note plan (@kumpadri).

    A Fading Freak Show

    @deetschicken’s praise for Thinking Basketball’s innovation-spotting feels misplaced—this “offence” is a footnote, not a chapter (@Ljrubbo1). @aryamanmani4025 and @bradenstewart6270 fawn over the ad and delivery, but the substance? Thin. @dennisrossonero calls it a legacy, but @SapienGalore’s “too many 3s” jab hints at a league moving on. Giannis is a freak (@ShakataelBebesito), but @waff6ix’s “best PF ever” take over Duncan or KG is laughable. This is less revolution, more a temporary exploit—soon, defences will adjust, and the “Giannis Offense” will be a relic.

    Let me just add, it’s not “soon” it’s here already. Giannis is obsolete.

  • Bucks vs. Knicks History: A Rivalry Renewed and Giannis’ Struggles Against New York

    Bucks vs. Knicks History: A Rivalry Renewed and Giannis’ Struggles Against New York

    The Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks have a storied history in the NBA, one that spans decades and features memorable moments, shifting fortunes, and, more recently, a spotlight on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s challenges when facing the Knicks. As two Eastern Conference teams with passionate fanbases, their matchups have often carried weight, especially in recent years as both franchises have aimed to reassert themselves among the league’s elite.

    A Brief History of Bucks vs. Knicks

    The Bucks and Knicks first crossed paths in the late 1960s when Milwaukee joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968. Early on, the Knicks held the upper hand, buoyed by their championship teams of the early 1970s, led by legends like Walt Frazier and Willis Reed. The Bucks, however, quickly found their footing with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, claiming their first title in 1971. During this era, the teams were in different conferences—Milwaukee in the West and New York in the East—limiting their encounters to regular-season clashes and the occasional playoff meeting.

    As the years progressed, the rivalry ebbed and flowed. The Bucks dominated in the 1980s with stars like Sidney Moncrief, while the Knicks resurgence in the 1990s under Patrick Ewing brought physical, defensive battles to the forefront. The two teams met in the playoffs several times, including a notable 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals series where the Bucks swept the Knicks 4-0. However, for much of the 2000s and early 2010s, both franchises struggled, diminishing the intensity of their matchups.

    The arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee in 2013 and the Knicks’ gradual rebuild in the late 2010s set the stage for a renewed rivalry. Since the Bucks moved to the Eastern Conference’s Central Division and solidified themselves as contenders, their games against the Knicks have taken on new significance, especially as New York has climbed back into relevance with players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

    Giannis vs. the Knicks: A Tough Matchup

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blend of size, speed, and skill makes him a nightmare for most opponents—but the Knicks have proven to be a particularly thorny challenge. The Bucks’ struggles against New York this season (and in recent years) have highlighted specific problems Giannis faces when taking on the Knicks.

    1. Physicality and Defensive Pressure
      The Knicks, under coach Tom Thibodeau, are known for their gritty, physical style of play. This approach has consistently disrupted Giannis’ rhythm. New York’s defenders—whether it’s OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, or even Towns in certain match ups—throw multiple bodies at Giannis, forcing him into tough shots or turnovers. In a January 12, 2025, blowout loss (140-106), Giannis noted the Bucks’ lack of collective creation, saying, “We didn’t create for one another.” The Knicks’ swarming defence often isolates him, limiting his ability to facilitate and forcing him to carry the offensive load alone.
    2. Struggles Against Versatile Bigs
      Karl-Anthony Towns, acquired by the Knicks in 2024, has been a matchup nightmare for Giannis. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting pulls Bucks centre Brook Lopez out of the paint, leaving Giannis to guard him on the perimeter or switch onto quicker players. In the November 8, 2024, game (a 116-94 Knicks win), Towns torched Milwaukee for 32 points, exploiting Lopez’s slower foot speed and Giannis’ reluctance to start games guarding him due to the workload. Bucks coach Doc Rivers later admitted it was a “mistake” not to put Giannis on Towns from the tip, but even when adjusted, Giannis couldn’t fully neutralize Towns’ versatility.
    3. Free-Throw Woes and Efficiency Dips
      Giannis’ free-throw shooting has long been a point of criticism, and it’s magnified against the Knicks. New York’s physical defense sends him to the line frequently, but he’s struggled to capitalize. In the January 2025 loss, he shot just 47.6% from the field—his worst mark of the season—and his free-throw struggles (often hovering below 60% in these games) have prevented him from maximizing his scoring output. This inefficiency stands out when the Bucks need him most against a Knicks team that capitalizes on every mistake.
    4. Team Struggles Against Elite Competition
      While this isn’t solely a Giannis problem, his frustration with the Bucks’ 0-8 record against the East’s top three teams (Cavs, Celtics, Knicks) as of January 2025 underscores a broader issue. After the 140-106 defeat, he bluntly said, “We’ve gotta get our stuff together… We played horrible against them.” The Knicks’ balanced attack—led by Brunson’s 44 points in that game—exposes Milwaukee’s lack of depth and defensive cohesion, putting extra pressure on Giannis to overperform. When he can’t, the Bucks crumble, as seen in their inability to slow New York’s runs.
    5. Mental and Competitive Edge
      Giannis has been vocal about effort, famously calling out the Bucks’ lack of competitiveness after the November 2024 loss: “We didn’t compete at all.” The Knicks, with their Madison Square Garden energy and Thibodeau’s relentless mentality, seem to get under his skin. Unlike other teams where Giannis can dominate through sheer will, New York’s resilience forces him into a mental battle he hasn’t consistently won.

    Looking Ahead

    As of March 28, 2025, the Bucks sit at 40-31, a far cry from their dominant 60-win season in 2018-19, while the Knicks are thriving at 25-14. Giannis remains a force, averaging 31.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, but his 2-7 record against New York this season (including regular season and potential playoff matchups) tells a story of frustration. The Bucks’ next chance to face the Knicks comes on Friday, March 28, and with Damian Lillard sidelined indefinitely due to a calf injury, Giannis will need to overcome these challenges without his co-star.

    Historically, the Bucks and Knicks have traded blows, but the current chapter favours New York. For Giannis, solving the Knicks puzzle—whether through better team execution, improved free-throw shooting, or a tactical adjustment to counter Towns—will be key to reasserting Milwaukee’s dominance in this rivalry. Until then, the “Greek Freak” faces an uphill battle against a Knicks team that’s found a formula to fluster him quite easily. Sure, Giannis might still get 20 or 30 points. But if he does, the Bucks will lose. Time to share the ball and trust his team mates.

    ——UPDATE AFTER THE GAME ——-

    Yes, I was right, Giannis stat padding and no mid range:

    And he hogged the ball as usual

    And he played no defence as usual, pretty clear Rollins was the player of the game:

  • What Doc Rivers said to Dame and Giannis in their secret meeting

    What Doc Rivers said to Dame and Giannis in their secret meeting

    Here’s a possible version of what Doc Rivers might have said to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard during their recent private meeting following the Milwaukee Bucks’ loss to the Golden State Warriors on March 18, 2025. This is my creative interpretation based on the context of the Bucks’ struggles, their offensive woes, and the reported nature of the meeting. Just to be clear I have absolutely no inside knowledge or first hand information about the meeting.

    “Alright, fellas, thanks for sitting down with me. Look, we’re not playing like the team I know we can be. I’m not here to point fingers; I’m here to figure this out with you two, because you’re the heart of this squad. I know I will be fired if we don’t do well in the playoffs, it’s the nature of the league. But let’s at least agree how we will go about it. We have said a lot of things over this time together and we have half assed tried a few things.

    Dame you probably feel the same, everyone has been blaming you from the day you came to the Bucks, no surprise. So how do you want to play it? The rest of the season means nothing. I suggest you take some time off and make sure you have no injuries bothering you. I mean nothing at all, not even a little finger twist. First round is probably the Pacers, if you are both playing top of your game we got them.

    Giannis, you’re playing at an MVP level, no question—30 points, 12 boards, 6 assists a night. Dame, you’re giving us 25 and 7, shooting lights-out when you get your looks. But something’s off, and it’s not just on you, it’s on all of us, me included. Our offence is stalling out late in games. The ball’s not moving, the spacing’s a mess, and we’re not attacking the way we should. I’ve seen it, you’ve seen it, we talk about it in the tape room all the time and we’ve got to fix it. Giannis I have been sugar coating it too long for you, I will just keep you out in clutch. Your free throws are a liability and you just kill ball flow. Either get in line and play as the team wants to play or sit on the bench in the fourth quarter. I mean it. I have nothing to lose anymore, don’t care what anybody says. If you want me fired do it now, but this is what will happen if you don’t. Sure I will get you in the game if I can, depends on the match ups. But when you are looking lost or they are shutting you down I won’t put up with your 4th quarter shit anymore. Not in the playoffs. If it bruises your ego not to be on the court in the final minutes I no longer care.

    Giannis, when you’re driving downhill or setting screens, are you getting the support you need? No, you are not. Why? Because you are not looking, you are not getting everybody involved. Dame, when you’re running the show, are we putting you in spots to close games out? We’ve got two of the best in the world right here, and I need us to be on the same page. Tell me who you want where now. I will get rid of anyone you don’t like and tell them to do whatever you think they need to do, but tell me now clearly. Not in the huddle. If we get to the second round things will be tougher. Maybe Brunson will be injured or something. We make it to the Conference Finals and make it look like we were legit out there and our jobs are safe. Otherwise me and Dame are getting fired and Giannis I guess you will have to look around the league for your future.

    Tell me what’s working, what’s not, and how we get this thing rolling again. Screw the regular season. Doesn’t matter if we drop a few spots, no difference now. If you need time off, take time off, I will cover you with excuses. If you want to try some other roster combination we try it now, I don’t care, got nothing to lose at this point. I’m sorry I didn’t do this earlier but I didn’t want to lay the pressure on you two.

    End of the day though it is what it is. And it’s looking dangerously close to total shit show if you two don’t start winning games. Yes you two. Not talking about the other kids on the team. You are it.

    So if you disagree tell me now. I can quit. No shame in that for me. I prefer it to going into the playoffs again with everyone saying it’s my fault with a team that doesn’t even do what I ask it to. I don’t want to be some bitter old man who has signed an NDA and can’t even tell the media how none of you did anything I asked you to. Giannis I love you man but no more bullshit with you grabbing the boards and drawing up plays. You want that, I walk. No hard feelings and I swear I will be rooting for you guys to win. But I truly believe that if we have one chance in hell to get to the Conference Finals and not all look like fools this season is if you do exactly what I say, when I say it, exactly as I draw it out.

    Are you in?”

  • Bobby Portis: Elevating Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks

    Bobby Portis: Elevating Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks

    Every superstar needs a supporting cast to maximise their impact, and for the Bucks, now that Khris left, Bobby Portis has emerged as a critical piece of the puzzle. Known for his tenacity, versatility, and relentless energy, Portis brings a unique skill set that not only complements Giannis but amplifies his dominance on the court. Let’s dive into why Bobby Portis is so good for the Bucks—and specifically how he enhances Giannis’ game when they share the floor.

    The Suspension: A Fair Punishment with Long-Term Upside

    On February 20, 2025, the NBA announced Portis’ 25-game suspension without pay after he tested positive for Tramadol, a painkiller recently added to the league’s banned substance list. Portis and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, maintained it was an honest mistake—he intended to take Toradol, an NBA-approved anti-inflammatory, to manage an elbow injury but was given Tramadol by an assistant due to a mix-up. Despite the unintentional nature, the NBA upheld its strict anti-drug policy, sidelining Portis until April 8, 2025, just four games before the regular season’s end.

    The punishment was fair. The two medicines look nothing like each other and have vastly different use case and effects. The NBA’s anti-drug program exists to ensure a level playing field, and intent doesn’t negate responsibility. Portis himself acknowledged this, stating, “I feel horrible and recognise that I’m responsible for what I put in my body.” Tramadol, classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance, carries risks of dependency and side effects that could unfairly advantage a player, even if taken inadvertently. The 25-game ban aligns with precedents like Tristan Thompson’s suspension in 2024 for a similar violation, reinforcing consistency in enforcement. Bucks GM Jon Horst and coach Doc Rivers expressed support but didn’t contest the ruling, accepting it as a necessary consequence. The NBA was helping Bobby and protecting him in the long term.

    More importantly this suspension might prove to be a blessing in disguise for both Portis and the Bucks. For Portis personally, the time away offers a chance to reset. At 30 years old and in his 10th NBA season, he’s been a model of durability, rarely missing games. However, the 2024-25 season brought personal challenges—his home was burglarised in November, and he lost his grandmother in January, missing six games to mourn. The suspension, while a financial hit ($2.85 million in lost salary), gives him a forced break to recover physically from his elbow injury and emotionally from a tumultuous year. Returning fresh for the playoffs could see him at peak form, ready to contribute to a deep postseason run. We all know most players battle injuries every day. Bobby, being Bobby may well have used drugs to make sure he could help the team, even to the detriment of his long term health.

    For the Bucks, the suspension tests their depth but also fosters growth. Sitting at 29-24 and fifth in the East as of March 22, 2025, Milwaukee has struggled with consistency, especially after trading Khris Middleton at the deadline. Portis’ absence forces new additions like Kyle Kuzma to step up, potentially accelerating their integration alongside Giannis. It also allows coach Doc Rivers to experiment with lineups—perhaps leaning on Giannis at center more often or developing younger players like Andre Jackson Jr. The Bucks went 2-5 without Portis this season before the suspension, but those losses exposed weaknesses that can now be addressed. If the team adapts, they’ll emerge more resilient, with Portis’ return adding a rested, motivated spark plug for the playoffs.

    The Perfect Complementary Big Man

    Bobby Portis, affectionately dubbed “Bobby Buckets” by fans, is a 6’10” forward-center who embodies the modern NBA big man archetype. He’s not just a traditional post player; Portis can stretch the floor, crash the boards, and bring an infectious intensity that energises the team. For a player like Giannis, whose game thrives on driving lanes, transition opportunities, and defensive versatility, Portis is a near-perfect fit alongside him.

    One of Portis’ standout traits is his ability to space the floor. While Giannis is a devastating force in the paint and on the break, his lack of a consistent outside shot often clogs driving lanes when paired with non-shooting bigs. Portis counters this beautifully with his reliable mid-range and three-point shooting. In the 2023-24 season, he shot 40.7% from beyond the arc on 1.8 attempts per game, a career-high mark that carried into the 2024-25 season with similar efficiency. When Portis is on the floor, defenses can’t sag off him to double-team Giannis in the paint without risking an open jumper. This spacing gives Giannis more room to operate—whether he’s bulldozing to the rim or kicking out to shooters after drawing help.

    Rebounding and Second-Chance Opportunities

    Portis’ presence amplifies the Bucks’ dominance on the glass. Portis is a relentless offensive rebounder, averaging 2.5 offensive rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season, often turning missed shots into second-chance points. This is huge for Giannis, who thrives in transition and chaos. When Portis secures an offensive board, it either leads to an immediate putback or a reset where Giannis can attack a scrambled defense.

    Defensively, Portis’ rebounding (5.8 defensive rebounds per game last season) helps Milwaukee secure stops and ignite Giannis’ trademark coast-to-coast runs. Portis’ ability to clean up possessions ensures Giannis get more of those opportunities. Together, they form a rebounding tandem that punishes opponents on both ends, especially since Giannis has cleared decreased focus in defence in recent years.

    Energy and Physicality: The Intangible Boost

    Beyond the stats, Portis brings an emotional edge that resonates with Giannis’ own relentless style. Known for his fiery competitiveness—sometimes to a fault, as seen in his occasional technical fouls—Portis plays with a chip on his shoulder that mirrors Giannis’ hustle-first mentality. This synergy is palpable when they’re on the court together. Portis isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint, set bruising screens, or dive for loose balls, all of which create opportunities for Giannis to exploit.

    For example, Portis’ willingness to battle bigger centres in the post allows Giannis to roam as a help defender or switch onto smaller players, where his length and agility shine. Offensively, Portis’ hard-nosed screens often spring Giannis free for downhill attacks, forcing defenses into impossible decisions: collapse on Giannis and leave Portis open, or stay home and let the Greek Freak feast at the rim. Bobby is the type of selfless player that makes Giannis looks good and covers up for his many weaknesses.

    Pick-and-Pop Chemistry

    One of the most effective ways Portis helps Giannis is through their pick-and-pop chemistry. While Giannis isn’t a traditional point guard, he often initiates the offensive. When Portis sets a high screen, he doesn’t just roll to the basket like a conventional big—he pops out to the mid-range or three-point line. This forces the defence to make a choice: switch and risk a mismatch with Giannis attacking a smaller player, or hedge and leave Portis open for a jumper. In other words, since Giannis doesn’t know how to screen, Portis has worked around the limitation to make a move that sometimes works!

    Data from the 2023-24 season shows that Portis was highly efficient in these scenarios, shooting over 50% on mid-range attempts. When defences overcommit to Giannis, Portis punishes them with a quick release. It has to be quick because Giannis’ passes are usually not very good, almost never at the ideal part of his body and often at the end of the clock in desperation. This dynamic keeps opponents guessing and prevents them from building a wall in the paint—the defensive strategy teams like the Raptors and Heat have used to slow Giannis in the past.

    Bench Spark and Lineup Flexibility

    Portis typically comes off the bench for the Bucks, providing a spark that keeps the team humming when Giannis rests. However, when they share the floor—often in closing lineups or crunch-time situations—Portis’ versatility shines. He can slide to the four alongside Giannis at the five, creating a small-ball lineup with size, or play center with Giannis at power forward, maintaining defensive physicality. This flexibility allows coach Doc Rivers (or Mike Budenholzer before him) to adapt to matchups without sacrificing Giannis’ impact. For sure Bobby is much more clutch than Giannis.

    In the 2021 championship run, Portis’ minutes alongside Giannis were pivotal, especially in the Finals against the Suns. His 16-point outburst in Game 6 off the bench exemplified how he can take pressure off Giannis by delivering timely scoring. That synergy has only grown stronger as Portis has settled into his role with Milwaukee.

    The Stats Tell the Story

    Looking at on/off splits from recent seasons, the Bucks’ net rating improves noticeably when Portis and Giannis play together. In the 2023-24 season, lineups featuring both players often posted offensive ratings above 120 points per 100 possessions, a testament to their combined scoring efficiency. Defensively, while Portis isn’t an elite rim protector, his hustle and positioning help Giannis anchor the backline, leading to a top-10 defensive rating in many of those minutes.

    A Fan Favorite and Team Glue

    Beyond the Xs and Os, Portis’ value to Giannis and the Bucks extends to his locker-room presence. His blue-collar work ethic and vocal leadership resonate with Giannis’ own approach, fostering a culture of toughness and accountability. Bucks fans adore him—chanting “Bob-by! Bob-by!” at Fiserv Forum—and that energy feeds into Giannis’ connection with the city and team.

    The Ideal Wingman

    Bobby Portis may not grab the headlines like Giannis, but his contributions are indispensable. He spaces

    the floor, crashes the glass, brings physicality, and provides lineup versatility—all of which make Giannis’ life easier and the Bucks more dangerous. Whether it’s a timely three, a gritty rebound, or a tone-setting hustle play, Portis elevates the team’s ceiling. As the Bucks chase another title Portis remains the superhero whose partnership with Giannis keeps Milwaukee among the league’s elite. Together, they’re a matchup nightmare—and a big reason why the Bucks continue to contend.

  • Bucks Without Giannis: What Improves When the Greek Freak Sits?

    Bucks Without Giannis: What Improves When the Greek Freak Sits?

    Giannis Antetokounmpo is the heart and soul of the Milwaukee Bucks. However, there are moments—whether due to rest, injury, or foul trouble—when Giannis isn’t playing, and while it’s hard to imagine the Bucks being better without their superstar, there are certain aspects of the team’s performance that can shift in intriguing and sometimes positive ways.

    1. Ball Movement and Offensive Flow

    Giannis is a gravitational force on offense. His ability to attack the rim, draw double-teams, and collapse defenses creates opportunities for his teammates. However, this dominance can sometimes stagnate the Bucks’ offense, as players defer to him or wait for him to initiate action. When Giannis sits, the Bucks often shift to a more egalitarian, motion-based attack.Without Giannis, players like Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez take on larger playmaking roles. The ball zips around the perimeter more, with increased emphasis on off-ball screens, cuts, and three-point shooting. Data from recent seasons shows that the Bucks’ assist numbers tick up slightly in non-Giannis minutes, reflecting a more distributed offensive load. For example, Lillard’s usage rate spikes, and his ability to orchestrate pick-and-rolls becomes the focal point, leading to a smoother rhythm for shooters like Middleton or Bobby Portis.The flow can feel less predictable and more dynamic, forcing defenses to adjust to a different style rather than loading up the paint.

    2. Three-Point Volume and Spacing

    Giannis’s game is built around his dominance inside the arc. While he’s improved his three-point shooting (career-high 34.4% in 2022-23), he’s not a high-volume outside shooter. Defenses know this and often sag off him, clogging the lane and daring him to shoot. When he’s off the court, the Bucks lean harder into their perimeter game.Players like Lillard, Middleton, and Pat Connaughton see more opportunities to launch from deep, and the team’s spacing improves as a result. Brook Lopez, a stretch-five, becomes a more central figure, pulling opposing bigs away from the basket. In non-Giannis minutes, the Bucks’ three-point attempt rate climbs, and their offense can resemble a modern, spread-out attack. For instance, in the 2023-24 season, Cleaning the Glass data showed that Milwaukee’s three-point attempt rate jumped by about 3-5% in stretches without Giannis, reflecting a shift in philosophy.The trade-off? They lose Giannis’s ability to generate easy buckets in the paint. But in harder games how’s paint efforts often just end up in missed free throws anyway.

    3. Defensive Versatility

    Giannis is a defensive juggernaut—his length, agility, and instincts make him a one-man wrecking crew. He can guard 1-through-5, protect the rim, and disrupt passing lanes (averaging 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in recent years). So how could the Bucks’ defense possibly improve without him? Well for starters he is nowhere near his DPOY years and seems more focused on offensive stat padding.

    It’s not about overall effectiveness but rather adaptability.When Giannis sits, the Bucks often deploy smaller, quicker lineups. Players like Jrue Holiday (in past seasons) or Gary Trent Jr. (in 2024-25) take on bigger roles, and the team switches more aggressively on the perimeter. Without Giannis anchoring the paint, Milwaukee leans into a scrappier, more switch-heavy scheme that can disrupt teams reliant on guard play or pick-and-roll actions. Opponents sometimes struggle to adjust to this change of pace, especially if they’ve prepared to attack Giannis’s help-defense tendencies.Additionally, Brook Lopez’s rim protection becomes even more critical, and his drop-coverage style can neutralize traditional bigs who might otherwise feast on smaller lineups. The Bucks’ style of defense can better counter certain opponents.–

    4. Role Players Step Up

    One of the hidden benefits of Giannis’s absence is the spotlight it puts on Milwaukee’s supporting cast. Players like Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and even younger talents like MarJon Beauchamp or Andre Jackson Jr. get more touches and minutes to prove themselves. Portis, in particular, thrives in these situations, often turning into a double-double machine with his hustle and mid-range scoring.This increased responsibility can boost confidence and chemistry among the role players. For example, during Giannis’s brief injury absences in the 2023-24 season, Portis averaged close to 20 points and 10 rebounds in extended minutes, showing he can carry a heavier load. Similarly, Middleton’s playmaking shines brighter, as he transitions from a secondary option to the primary creator.These moments also allow coach Doc Rivers (or whoever’s leading the team in 2025) to experiment with lineups and rotations, uncovering combinations that might not get a chance otherwise. These stretches can reveal depth that pays dividends in the playoffs. Giannis stat padding in the 4th quarter of blow out wins is not helping them.

    5. Pace and Transition Opportunities

    Giannis is a fast-break terror, often grabbing a rebound and going coast-to-coast for a dunk before the defense can blink. But when he’s off, the Bucks play faster as a team. Without their star dictating the tempo, guards like Lillard or AJ Green push the ball more aggressively, and the team leans into a quicker, more guard-oriented transition game.This shift can catch opponents off guard, especially if they’re used to slowing the pace to contain Giannis. The Bucks’ pace rating (possessions per 48 minutes) nudges up in non-Giannis minutes, per NBA Advanced Stats, as the team relies less on half-court sets and more on early offense. It’s not always sustainable but it adds a different dimension.

    When Giannis isn’t on the court, the Bucks become a different beast. The offense flows through more hands, the three-point line gets hotter, the defense adapts with versatility, role players rise to the occasion, and the pace quickens. These shifts highlight the resilience and flexibility of a championship-caliber roster. For Bucks fans, it’s a silver lining: even without the Greek Freak, there’s still plenty of fight—and sometimes a few surprising strengths—in Milwaukee’s game.

    So, next time Giannis takes a breather, watch closely. You might just see the Bucks uncover something new—and better—for those fleeting minutes.

  • Vando vs Giannis. It doesn’t end well…

    Vando vs Giannis. It doesn’t end well…

    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

    lakers injury report against the bucks

    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.

    What do you think—does Vanderbilt deserve more lo

  • It ain’t Doc Rivers fault: Giannis is simply uncoachable

    It ain’t Doc Rivers fault: Giannis is simply uncoachable

    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.

  • How Coach Spanoulis used Giannis Antetokounmpo at the Olympics: A Tactical Departure from the Milwaukee Bucks

    How Coach Spanoulis used Giannis Antetokounmpo at the Olympics: A Tactical Departure from the Milwaukee Bucks

    When Vassilis Spanoulis took the reins of the Greek national basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he faced a tantalizing challenge: how to maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and global superstar, in a FIBA setting. Greece’s return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence demanded a bold approach, and Spanoulis—a EuroLeague legend known as “Kill Bill” for his clutch tenacity—delivered one. His deployment of Giannis during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Piraeus and the Paris Games diverged significantly from how Giannis is utilized with the Milwaukee Bucks, reflecting the constraints and opportunities of international play. Giannis has always struggled playing outside the NBA. Let’s break down the key differences and why they mattered.

    Positional Fluidity: From Power Forward to Center

    With the Bucks, Giannis typically operates as a power forward in a structured NBA system under coaches like Mike Budenholzer and now Doc Rivers. Milwaukee’s lineups often pair him with a traditional center—Brook Lopez or Bobby Portis—allowing Giannis to roam the perimeter, initiate fast breaks, or attack downhill off pick-and-rolls. Lopez’s floor-spacing (35.4% from three in 2023-24) pulls opposing bigs away from the paint, giving Giannis clean driving lanes in Milwaukee’s “five-out” or “four-out-one-in” schemes. They even let him bring down the ball hunting the easy run and dunk which is ludicrous since he is not a good ball handler.

    Spanoulis, however, embraced greater positional flexibility. Facing tougher defensive congestion in FIBA play—where zones and physicality reign—he occasionally slid Giannis to the center spot, as seen in Greece’s 77-71 win over Australia. Without a Lopez-like shooter (Greece’s bigs, like Georgios Papagiannis, were less perimeter-oriented), Spanoulis leaned on Giannis’ speed and strength to exploit mismatches against smaller lineups or slower traditional centers. This shift amplified Giannis’ role as a screener and roller, a contrast to Milwaukee, where he’s more often the ball-handler in pick-and-rolls with Damian Lillard or Khris Middleton. In Paris, Giannis averaged 25.8 points on a staggering 67.8% from the field, showcasing how Spanoulis weaponized his interior presence against FIBA’s compact defenses. Giannis is for sure one of the worse screeners in the NBA so you can never really rely on him for that though.

    Offensive Focal Point vs. Shared Load

    In Milwaukee, Giannis is undeniably the Bucks’ alpha, averaging 30.4 points per game in the 2023-24 season, but the offense isn’t solely his to carry. With Lillard’s elite scoring (24.3 PPG) and Middleton’s mid-range reliability in the past, the Bucks distribute the offensive burden, often running set plays or isolations for their stars. Budenholzer’s “Giannis Wall” counter—surrounding him with shooters—evolved into Rivers’ more dynamic pick-and-roll-heavy approach, balancing Giannis’ drives with outside threats. The much under rated role of this in the championship run in the NBA has confused many. They focus on Giannis and forget he had a legit super team in order to win the chip.

    Spanoulis, by contrast with less star power as Nick Calathes was a playmaking wizard (10.5 assists in the OQT), but not a scoring threat like Lillard. So Spanoulis leaned hard into Giannis’ ability to dominate one-on-one and draw multiple defenders. Greece’s offence often started with Giannis at the top of the key, bulldozing through contact or kicking out to shooters like Thomas Walkup when doubled. During the OQT, Greece shot 43.5% from three (54-for-124), a testament to Spanoulis’ strategy of spacing the floor around Giannis, but in Paris, teams like Spain countered with a “Box and 1,” daring others to beat them. Greece lost when Giannis met up with teams that could stop him. That simple.

    Defensive Role: Help Defender vs. Point-of-Attack Stopper

    Defensively, the Bucks often conserve Giannis’ energy, using him as a roving help defender rather than a primary on-ball stopper. Sure he stat pads with easy defensive rebounds but he is no longer in his DPOY years and it shows in all advanced stats. Lopez or Portis handle rim protection, while Jrue Holiday (pre-trade) or Malik Beasley or whoever else they have to chase guards. Milwaukee rarely asks him to lock down elite wings or guards full-time, preserving him for offence. It’s almost as if the entire organisation is more focused on his stat padding.

    Spanoulis, however, demanded more defensive versatility. With Greece’s roster lacking Milwaukee’s depth, Giannis toggled between help defense and stepping up as a vocal leader. After the 86-79 loss to Canada—where Giannis dropped 34 points but struggled defensively against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 21—Spanoulis publicly challenged him to elevate his effort, a stark contrast to the Bucks’ more measured approach. Against Germany in the quarterfinals (76-63 loss), Giannis faced Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis, often switching onto quicker guards or battling in the post. While teammates like Calathes and Kostas Papanikolaou took tough assignments, Spanoulis relied on Giannis’ physicality to disrupt plays, even if his 6.3 rebounds per game in Paris lagged behind his NBA norm (11.5). There are no two ways to look at this: Giannis simply struggles in high pressure situations.

    Pace and Physicality: FIBA Grit vs. NBA Flow

    The Bucks thrive in transition, where Giannis’ coast-to-coast gallops are a staple—think his iconic Eurostep dunks. Milwaukee’s pace (100.4 possessions per game in 2023-24) suits his freakish athleticism, and NBA rules—wider courts, defensive three-second violations—give him room to operate. Spanoulis, however, adapted to FIBA’s slower, grittier style (no defensive three-second rule, tighter paint), where Giannis faced constant physicality. Teams like Canada and Spain threw “walls” of defenders at him. It worked because Giannis has no bag and no other options in his game.

    Spanoulis countered by emphasizing ball movement (Calathes’ assists kept Greece humming) and using Giannis as a decoy when needed, a departure from Milwaukee’s reliance on his transition scoring. In the Australia game, Giannis’ presence in the post drew defenders, opening cuts and kickouts—a nod to Spanoulis’ EuroLeague roots, where team play trumps individual heroics.

    Why the Difference?

    Spanoulis’ approach was born of necessity and philosophy. Greece lacked Milwaukee’s supporting cast—no Lillard to share the scoring, no Lopez to stretch the floor. Spanoulis, a competitor who thrived under pressure as a player, saw Giannis as the key to reviving Greece’s basketball pride, pushing him to lead by example in ways the Bucks, with their deeper roster, don’t require. FIBA’s rules and physicality also forced Spanoulis to get creative, using Giannis’ size at center and banking on his relentlessness to overcome officiating disparities.

    In Milwaukee, Giannis is a cog in a well-oiled machine, optimized for an 82-game season and playoff grind. With Greece, he was the machine—every gear turned around him. Spanoulis’ vision nearly worked: Greece qualified for Paris and pushed top teams, falling just short against Germany. The contrast highlights not just tactical differences but a mindset: Spanoulis coached Giannis like a warrior king, while the Bucks treat him as a prized asset in a broader kingdom. Both work—but Paris showed Giannis’ ceiling. He cannot even comprehend advanced basketball plays and for sure he cannot react fast enough in high intensity basketball at the highest level.

  • Giannis vs. the Lakers: A Greek Tragedy in Purple and Gold

    Giannis vs. the Lakers: A Greek Tragedy in Purple and Gold

    When it comes to NBA dominance, Giannis Antetokounmpo is usually the guy you’d bet on to steamroll any team in his path. The Milwaukee Bucks’ two-time MVP has made a career out of dunking on defences, racking up triple-doubles, and leaving opponents scrambling for answers. But there’s one team that seems to have the Greek Freak’s number—or at least makes him look mortal: the Los Angeles Lakers. Time and again, Giannis’ performances against the Purple and Gold have been, dare I say it, terrible.

    The Lakers’ Defensive Blueprint
    First off, credit where it’s due: the Lakers have historically thrown some of the league’s best big-man stoppers at Giannis. Whether it’s Anthony Davis sliding over with his pterodactyl wingspan or the ghosts of past Lakers bigs like Dwight Howard clogging the paint, LA seems to know how to gum up Giannis’ game. The dude thrives on getting to the rim, but against the Lakers, that runway often turns into a brick wall. You can almost hear Darvin Ham (or Frank Vogel, or now JJ Redick, depending on the era) cackling as they force Giannis into awkward mid-range jumpers—shots he takes reluctantly and bricks spectacularly in games that matter. Especially since defences easily lead him on to his “bad” side where he is well under par.

    Take any random Bucks-Lakers game from the past few seasons, and you’ll see the pattern: Giannis gets swarmed, his drives get cut off, and suddenly he’s passing out to a cold-shooting Khris Middleton/Dame Lillard or a hesitant Brook Lopez. It’s not that he’s invisible—nobody can completely erase a 6’11” freight train—but the Lakers make him look inefficient, which is a cardinal sin for a guy who’s supposed to be unstoppable. Giannis is the worse in the NBA in assist to turnover ratio. Well with the Lakers he is even worse. The shot chart is from their last matchup, simply pathetic.

    The LeBron Factor
    Then there’s the LeBron James effect. Say what you will about aging superstars, but LeBron has a knack for getting under Giannis’ skin. Maybe it’s the psychological edge of facing a fellow all-time great, or maybe LeBron just knows how to bait him into overthinking. When these two share the floor, Giannis often seems torn between proving he’s the new king and sticking to the Bucks’ game plan. The result? Forced plays, turnovers, and a stat line that looks more “pretty good” than “Greek Freak domination.”

    LeBron doesn’t even need to guard him full-time—just his presence warps the game. The Lakers can afford to double-team Giannis knowing LeBron’s basketball IQ will cover the gaps. It’s like watching a chess grandmaster toy with a checkers prodigy. Giannis’ fans may replay that one time he stopped LeBron but it was always in a game the Bucks lost and LeBron was much much better anyway.

    The Numbers Don’t Lie (Probably)


    Okay, I’m not diving into a spreadsheet here, but if you’ve watched these games, you know the vibe. Giannis might still put up 25 points against the Lakers, but it’s on 20 shots with a handful of turnovers and a quiet second half. Compare that to his usual 30-point, 60% shooting rampages against lesser teams, and it’s clear LA brings out his inner mortal. The Bucks often lean on him to carry them, but against the Lakers, he’s more likely to stumble than soar.

    The X-Factor: LA’s Aura and Giannis inferiority complex
    Maybe it’s the bright lights of LA, the Hollywood crowd, or the pressure of facing a franchise that’s been a thorn in Milwaukee’s side since the Kareem days. Giannis is human and something about that Lakers jersey seems to throw him off his rhythm. The Bucks as a team often look rattled in these matchups, and Giannis—despite his Herculean efforts—can’t lift them out of the funk. He obviously has psychological issues concerning his own lack of ability and these appear in the bigger match ups. His mid range disappears, his free throws are always worse, his decision making terrible.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo against the Lakers, is consistently less than the sum of his parts. Call it a bad matchup, a mental block, or just Anthony Davis being a cheat code in the past, but the Greek Freak’s struggles in Purple and Gold territory are a blemish on his resume. Bucks fans can only hope that the next time these teams clash Giannis finally figures out how to turn the tables. Tonight is an excellent opportunity since both LeBron and all of the big guys on the Lakers roster are out of action. Giannis should be completely on his own to dominate easily. No Davis, no Hayes, no LeBron. Who’s gonna stop him? Austin Reaves? Actually many times even this has happened.

    That’s how bad Giannis is against the Lakers.

    —–UPDATE POST GAME—–

    Unfortunately Giannis not only didn’t shine but produced this pretty terrible box score:

    From the jump, Giannis didn’t look like the unstoppable force we’ve seen tear through defenses all year. Sure, he shot 47% from the field—not terrible, but a far cry from his season average. Against a Lakers frontcourt that’s been shaky without LeBron anchoring the defense, you’d expect Giannis to bully his way to the rim for 35 or 40 points with ease. Instead, he settled for jumpers too often and didn’t impose his will like the MVP candidate he is. Ten of his points came in a late third-quarter burst that padded the Bucks’ lead, but by then, the game was already trending toward a rout thanks to contributions from Brook Lopez (23 points) and Damian Lillard (22 points, 10 assists). Giannis wasn’t the engine—he was just along for the ride.

    The rebounding? Twelve boards sound nice until you realize the Lakers were outmatched inside, and Luka Doncic—yes, Luka Doncic—still managed 11 rebounds despite carrying the Lakers’ offence with a Herculean 45-point effort. Giannis, at 6’11” with his freakish athleticism, should’ve owned the glass against a team missing key bigs like Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura.

    His shot chart is barely better than their last matchup! With nobody to stop him and he still missed more! He stayed in the game far longer than was needed in a blowout chasing the stat line. With the Lakers doubling him and daring others to beat them, he had ample opportunity to rack up assists by finding open shooters like Lillard or Lopez. Yet, there were moments where his decision-making faltered—hesitant passes, a few forced drives that led nowhere, and a lack of that killer instinct to either finish or set up a teammate. And he is heading to have the worse 3point shooting season in the history of the NBA as it continues to drop!

  • Would you trade Dame for Trae straight up?

    Would you trade Dame for Trae straight up?

    This is from a facebook group question, not including the author because he might not want me to. (This is the group if you want to join.)

    Evaluating whether trading Trae Young for Damian Lillard would be a good deal for the Milwaukee Bucks requires looking at several factors: the players’ current performance, their fit with the team, their contracts, and the Bucks’ overall goals. Let’s break it down based on what we know as of March 11, 2025.

    Current Performance

    Trae Young, at 26 years old, is in the prime of his career. This season (2024-25), he’s averaging around 22 points and 11 assists per game, though his efficiency has dipped slightly compared to his peak years. He’s a dynamic offensive player, elite at creating his own shot and setting up teammates, but his defence remains a weak point—opponents often target him in pick-and-roll situations. As they do Dame of course.

    Damian Lillard, now 34, is still a high-level performer but showing signs of decline. In his second season with the Bucks, he’s averaging about 25 points and 7 assists, though his efficiency from three (around 35%) is down from his Portland peak (37-39%). His playoff experience and clutch scoring are invaluable, but his defensive limitations are similar to Young’s, and his age suggests a shorter window of elite play.

    Fit with the Bucks

    The Bucks’ core revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who thrives with the ball in his hands and needs spacing around him. Lillard’s off-ball shooting (even with a slight dip) complements Giannis well, as he can stretch the floor and hit deep threes, drawing defenders away from the paint. Their pick-and-roll game has also started to gel better in 2024-25 after a rocky first year together. Here my analysis of what still doesn’t click with Dame in detail.

    Trae Young, on the other hand, is more ball-dominant. His playstyle—high pick-and-roll usage and creating out of dribble-heavy sets—could overlap with Giannis’ need to attack the basket. Young’s three-point shooting (around 36-38% career) is solid but not as lethal from deep as Lillard’s, which might clog the floor more for Giannis. Defensively, swapping Lillard for Young is a wash at best; neither is a stopper, and the Bucks already struggle to hide one guard defensively alongside Giannis and Brook Lopez. Would Trae be able to put aside his ego with Giannis on the floor having the ball more than him? I doubt it!

    Contracts

    Lillard’s contract is massive: he’s owed $48.8 million this year, $54 million in 2025-26, and has a $63.2 million player option for 2026-27. That’s a lot of money for a player who’ll be 36 by the end of it, especially if his production continues to taper off.

    Young’s deal is more team-friendly: $43 million this year, $46 million in 2025-26, and a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27. He’s eight years younger, so his contract aligns better with long-term planning, though it’s still a hefty commitment.

    Bucks’ Goals

    The Bucks are in win-now mode with Giannis, who’s 30 and under contract through 2027-28 (with a player option). After winning the title in 2021, they’ve been all-in on maximizing his prime, as seen with the Lillard trade in 2023. Trading Lillard for Young could signal a slight pivot—still competing now but also eyeing a longer contention window. However, Young’s playoff track record (one Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021) doesn’t match Lillard’s veteran savvy, and the Bucks might sacrifice some immediate title equity.

    Pros and Cons for the Bucks

    Pros of Getting Trae Young:

    • Younger, potentially extending the Bucks’ contention window past Lillard’s decline.
    • Elite playmaking could boost role players like Khris Middleton (if he stays healthy) and Bobby Portis.
    • Slightly cheaper contract with more years of prime production.

    Cons of Losing Lillard:

    • Lillard’s playoff experience and clutch scoring are proven; Young’s postseason resume is thinner.
    • Chemistry with Giannis is improving—why disrupt it for a less certain fit?
    • Young’s ball dominance might limit Giannis’ touches, reducing his effectiveness.

    Verdict

    For the Bucks, trading Lillard for Young straight up isn’t a clear upgrade. Lillard’s fit with Giannis, despite early struggles, is starting to work, and his experience aligns with their urgent title push. Young’s youth is appealing, but his style might not mesh as cleanly, and the defensive issues wouldn’t improve. Unless the Bucks are worried about Lillard’s age catching up fast—or they’re getting additional assets (e.g., picks or a defensive wing)—keeping Lillard makes more sense for their current timeline. A straight swap feels like a lateral move with too much risk for a team that’s already pot-committed to winning now. The biggest problem is that no superstar wants to play with Giannis. No matter who is on the Bucks with him sooner or later gets blamed for everything. So no, Trae for Dame would only happen if Trae was really really desperate to leave his current team.

  • Is this the best Bucks lineup for playoffs?

    Is this the best Bucks lineup for playoffs?

    Evaluating whether the five-man unit of Damian Lillard, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez constitutes a playoff-winning defensive formula requires looking at their collective defensive strengths, weaknesses, and how they might perform in high-stakes playoff scenarios. As of March 8, 2025, this lineup has been used by the Milwaukee Bucks, and we can assess its potential based on available insights into their individual and collective play, particularly post-trade deadline adjustments in the 2024-25 NBA season.
    This lineup features a mix of offensive firepower and defensive versatility, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez, a proven rim protector. Lopez, while slower-footed than in his prime, remains an elite shot-blocker and a solid drop-coverage center, effective at deterring drives when not exploited by quicker opponents.


    Kyle Kuzma adds defensive flexibility to this unit. Since joining the Bucks, he’s shown an ability to guard multiple positions, including taking on tough assignments like Kawhi Leonard, where he’s held his own by limiting shooting efficiency and making hustle plays. His length and energy enhance the lineup’s switchability, addressing some of Milwaukee’s previous perimeter defensive struggles. Taurean Prince, often slotted as a small forward playing the two-guard role in this lineup, brings decent point-of-attack defense. He’s not an elite on-ball defender but can hold his own against wings and contribute to team schemes with effort and physicality.


    Giannis is flawed in many respects and like Damian Lillard a potential weak link defensively. Historically, Lillard has not been a strong defender—his defensive rating this season remains among the lowest of Milwaukee’s main rotation players. While he’s shown improved effort under Doc Rivers, he can still be targeted by quicker guards or in pick-and-roll situations, forcing the team into rotations that rely heavily on Giannis and Lopez to clean up. Playoff teams often exploit such vulnerabilities, and Lillard’s defensive consistency will be under scrutiny.


    Data from the 2024-25 season suggests this lineup has had success in limited minutes. Reports indicate a 4-1 record when starting together, with strong net ratings reflecting their ability to outscore opponents. Defensively, they’ve shown promise, particularly in games like the February 27, 2025, win over the Denver Nuggets (121-112), where team defense—led by Giannis and supported by Kuzma’s versatility—limited Nikola Jokić’s impact despite his triple-double. The lineup’s size (with Prince at 6’6”, Kuzma at 6’9”, Giannis at 6’11”, and Lopez at 7’1”) and switchability allow them to match up with bigger playoff teams while still having enough agility to handle some guard-heavy offenses.


    However, there are caveats. The sample size of this lineup’s minutes together is small—around 51 minutes as of late February 2025—making it hard to draw definitive conclusions. Their defensive rating in these minutes is solid but not elite, and they’ve faced challenges starting games slowly, often needing to climb out of early deficits. Against top-tier playoff offenses like Boston or Denver, Lillard’s limitations could be exposed unless Rivers employs aggressive help schemes or staggers minutes to mask him with stronger defenders like Gary Trent Jr. or Kevin Porter Jr.


    In playoff contexts, winning defensive formulas typically require staunch perimeter containment, rim protection, and minimal weak links. This unit has two of three: Giannis and Lopez provide interior defense, and Kuzma and Prince add versatility on the wings. But Lillard’s defensive shortcomings could be a liability against teams with dynamic guard play (e.g., Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell or New York’s Jalen Brunson). The Bucks’ success may hinge on Rivers’ ability to tweak schemes—perhaps more switching or hedging to protect Lillard—and the unit’s cohesion as Kuzma and Prince settle into their roles alongside the stars.


    Ultimately, this five-man unit has the potential to be a playoff-winning defensive formula, particularly against teams reliant on interior scoring or lacking elite guard penetration. Giannis’s improving on many of his weaknesses and Lopez’s rim presence give them a high floor, while Kuzma’s two-way contributions could be the X-factor. However, without Lillard elevating his defensive effort or the team masking his weaknesses, they might fall short against the most complete playoff offenses. As of now, they’re a strong but not flawless defensive group—capable of deep runs if paired with their potent offense, but not a guaranteed lockdown unit. More games together and playoff matchups will tell the full story.

    To compare the five-man unit of Damian Lillard, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez to other Milwaukee Bucks lineups in the 2024-25 season, we’ll focus on their defensive performance, given the question about a “playoff-winning defensive formula.” The analysis will lean on available data and insights into how this lineup stacks up against other combinations used by the Bucks, particularly post-trade deadline (February 2025), when Kuzma joined the roster. Since exact advanced stats for every lineup aren’t fully detailed here, I’ll use reported metrics, trends, and player profiles to draw comparisons, emphasizing defensive ratings and playoff viability as of March 8, 2025.


    The Lillard-Prince-Kuzma-Giannis-Lopez lineup has seen limited action—around 51 minutes by late February 2025—with a 4-1 record in games started together. Posts on X suggest a defensive rating of 135 in an earlier 19-minute sample, though more recent commentary indicates improvement, with a net rating of +43.8 and a defensive rating of 81.3 in a smaller post-All-Star break sample when AJ Green briefly replaced Prince. This variability highlights a small sample size and evolving performance. In contrast, other Bucks lineups from earlier in the season or with different personnel offer a broader baseline for comparison.


    One notable pre-Kuzma lineup was Lillard-Malik Beasley-Khris Middleton-Giannis-Lopez, a frequent starting unit in 2023-24 and early 2024-25 before Middleton’s injury and Beasley’s departure. Last season, Bucks lineups with Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton posted a defensive rating of 107.5 across significant minutes, which would’ve ranked among the league’s best. This group relied on Lopez’s rim protection, but Beasley and Lillard were often exploited on the perimeter, a weakness that carried into early 2024-25. The current lineup swaps Beasley and Middleton for Prince and Kuzma, aiming for better size and versatility. Kuzma’s ability to guard wings (e.g., limiting Kawhi Leonard) and Prince’s effort on the ball outshine Beasley’s defense, though Lillard remains a constant liability. The older lineup’s defensive rating of 107.5 likely reflects a more stable, larger sample, but it lacked the switchability Kuzma brings, making the new unit potentially more adaptable despite early inconsistency.


    Another comparison is the Lillard-Gary Trent Jr.-Kuzma-Giannis-Lopez lineup, used post-break in small doses. Many fans highlight a defensive rating of 81.3 when Trent replaces Prince, paired with an offensive rating of 125, yielding a +43.8 net rating—far superior to the 135 defensive rating in the Prince version’s early minutes. Trent’s superior three-point shooting (over 40% career) adds spacing, but his defensive impact is debated; he’s not a lockdown defender, though slightly better laterally than Prince. This suggests the Prince-to-Trent swap boosts offense significantly while maintaining or slightly improving defense, though both lineups lean heavily on Giannis and Lopez to anchor the paint. The Trent version’s gaudy numbers come from an even smaller sample, so sustainability in playoff minutes is uncertain.


    A third comparison involves substituting Bobby Portis for Lopez, creating Lillard-Prince-Kuzma-Giannis-Portis. Portis, a key sixth man, returned from injury around late February 2025, and while exact stats for this lineup aren’t widely reported yet, we can infer its defensive profile. Portis offers hustle and rebounding but lacks Lopez’s shot-blocking (Lopez averages over 2 blocks per game, Portis under 1). This unit might post a higher defensive rating—potentially in the 110-115 range—due to weaker rim protection, a critical playoff asset. Against teams like Boston or Philadelphia with dominant bigs (Tatum, Embiid), Lopez’s presence is more valuable, making the Portis version less playoff-ready defensively despite its offensive punch.


    The Lillard-Prince-Kuzma-Giannis-Lopez unit’s defensive evolution is promising but inconsistent. Its early 135 defensive rating reflects adjustment struggles post-Kuzma’s arrival, while the 81.3 with Trent or Green suggests potential when spacing improves. Compared to the 107.5 of the Lillard-Beasley-Middleton-Giannis-Lopez group, the current lineup’s floor is lower (due to Lillard’s exposure), but its ceiling might be higher with Kuzma’s two-way upside and Prince’s grit. Playoff success hinges on containing perimeter threats—something the older lineup struggled with against Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton in 2024. The Trent variant looks flashier, but its minutes are too few to trust fully, and the Portis swap sacrifices too much interior defense.


    In summary, the Lillard-Prince-Kuzma-Giannis-Lopez lineup isn’t yet the Bucks’ most proven defensively—lagging behind the Middleton-era unit’s consistency—but its versatility gives it an edge over rigid predecessors. It outperforms Portis-led variants in rim protection but trails the Trent version in early returns. For playoff viability, it’s a work in progress, stronger than some past lineups in flexibility but needing time to gel and mask Lillard’s weaknesses better than its peers.

    And of course I still believe the biggest problem is our favorite ball hog Giannis and his multiple serious flaws. Specifically in defense a good list I made is here.

  • Dame is Giannis’ third big mistake

    Dame is Giannis’ third big mistake

    Damian Lillard’s performance dipping when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the floor isn’t a straightforward “he’s worse” situation—it’s more about fit, usage, and how their games mesh (or don’t) on the Milwaukee Bucks as of February 26, 2025. Lillard joined the Bucks in 2023 to pair with Giannis, forming a superstar duo. Yeah, remember Giannis shouting about “winning it the right way” and not wanting to be part of a superteam? Well the on-court results have shown some serious lack of basketball IQ on Giannis’ part. Let’s break down why Lillard’s numbers and impact tend to take a hit when sharing the court with Giannis, based on stats, playstyle clashes, and team context.

    We all know that Dame was Giannis’ choice. As was losing Jrue. As was trading Khris. So let’s take a closer look at the first of these three wrong decisions.


    First, look at the numbers this season. Lillard’s averaging 25.8 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds overall, with a 42.9% field goal percentage and 35.8% from three. But in lineups with Giannis, his scoring drops slightly—per NBA advanced stats, Lillard’s usage rate falls from 31.2% when Giannis is off to around 27% when they’re together. Giannis, a ball-dominant force (32.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists), commands the offense with a 33.8% usage rate. Both thrive with the ball in their hands—Lillard as a pick-and-roll maestro, Giannis as a freight train in transition and the paint. (And I am not using the term “freight train” in a positive way here. He misses way too many at the rim, waaay too many free throws and he ruins the flow by playing like that. )

    When they share the floor, Lillard often cedes primary creation duties, shifting to more off-ball roles like spot-up shooting, which isn’t his natural strength. Let’s re think that, eh? The experienced ball handler cedes to the forward that leads in travelling and other violations…


    Their playstyles amplify this. Lillard’s elite skill is his deep-range shooting and ability to break down defenses in isolation or pick-and-roll sets—he’s historically taken 30+ footers and orchestrated late-game possessions. Giannis, meanwhile, clogs the paint and excels driving downhill, but his lack of a reliable jumper (20% from three this year) lets defenses sag off him, shrinking the floor. Opponents build a “wall” against Giannis, packing the lane, which can cramp Lillard’s driving lanes and force him into contested mid-range shots or kickouts. Cleaning the Glass data shows the Bucks’ offensive rating drops to 114.2 with both on, compared to 117.8 with Lillard alone—suggesting less efficiency together.


    Spacing is a big culprit. Giannis’s presence draws double-teams inside, but without consistent outside shooting from him, defenses don’t respect the Bucks’ perimeter as much. Lillard’s three-point attempts per game are down to 8.2 this season from 10.5 in his last Portland year, and his catch-and-shoot opportunities haven’t fully clicked—his effective field goal percentage on threes dips from 58% solo to 54% with Giannis, per Second Spectrum tracking. Milwaukee’s supporting cast (like Brook Lopez or Khris Middleton) helps, but the lack of synergy between the stars leaves Lillard less room to operate his preferred game.


    Defensively, it’s not a huge factor, but it’s worth noting. Lillard, at 6’2” and 34 years old, isn’t a lockdown guy—he’s targeted in switches, averaging 0.7 steals but often a step slow. Pairing them means opponents attack Lillard, pulling Giannis into help situations that can disrupt their rhythm. This doesn’t directly make Lillard “worse” offensively, but it tires him out, potentially sapping his scoring punch.


    Then there’s the adjustment factor. In Portland, Lillard was the unquestioned alpha, running 35-40 minutes of heliocentric offense. With Giannis, he’s adapting to a co-star role under coach Doc Rivers, who leans heavily on Giannis’s physicality. It is hard not to emphasize the hole that the Bucks have dug themselves into by promoting Giannis as the ultimate MVP player all the time. The pressure on Dame is unfair and constant from day one.

    Lillard’s assist numbers creep up with Giannis (7.5 vs. 6.8 without), showing he’s facilitating more, but his scoring efficiency takes a hit—true shooting percentage drops from 60.1% solo to 57.8% together. He’s less comfortable deferring or playing second fiddle, especially when Giannis’s freight-train drives don’t always set up Lillard’s preferred catch-and-shoot looks. All too often Giannis simply gets caught up in traffic and makes a bad desperation pass with no clock left and every opponent 100% certain that Dame has to take that shot.


    Contrast this with Giannis’s prior pairing with Khris Middleton, a better spacer (38.5% from three this year) who complemented Giannis by stretching defenses without needing the ball as much. Lillard’s ball-dominant style overlaps with Giannis’s, and neither is a natural off-ball mover like a Steph Curry. Fans often point this out—some argue Lillard looks “lost” or “disengaged” when Giannis dominates, a sentiment echoed in games like their February 25 loss to Houston, where Lillard shot 5-for-14 with Giannis on.


    It’s not that Lillard’s inherently worse with Giannis—it’s that their strengths haven’t fully synced. Lillard’s at his best creating in space; Giannis consumes space. Until the Bucks tweak their scheme—more stagger minutes, better spacing lineups, or Lillard embracing off-ball movement—the numbers and eye test suggest he’s less effective in this tandem than he could be alone.

    For me the biggest problem is how everyone treats Dame. As if Giannis is too sacred to criticise. It is always Dame’s fault if the Bucks lose. This is inaccurate and unfair. Dame has regretted being traded for sure as he is wasting his last good years on a team that clearly cannot work with a Giannis who lacks the IQ to change.