Greek Freak Analyzed

Tag: defence

  • 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
  • Giannis’ defence is just getting worse EVERY year

    Giannis’ defence is just getting worse EVERY year

    In 2020, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), anchoring the Milwaukee Bucks’ league-leading defence. However, recent discussions among fans and analysts suggest his defensive prowess may have waned. So let’s take it from the start of the downfall:

    The Peak: Giannis’ 2019-20 Defensive Dominance

    In the 2019-20 season, Giannis was a defensive juggernaut, earning the DPOY award and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. Let’s establish his baseline with key metrics from that season, sourced from Basketball-Reference, NBA.com, and ESPN:

    • Defensive Rating (DRtg): 96.5, the lowest among players with at least 15 minutes per game, per Second Spectrum data.
    • Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM): 3.2, leading the league, indicating an elite defensive impact.
    • Opponent Field Goal Percentage (Opp FG%): Held opponents to 36.3% shooting as the closest defender (minimum 525 attempts), the lowest in the NBA since Second Spectrum began tracking in 2013-14. At the rim, opponents shot just 41.8%.
    • Steals and Blocks: Averaged 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, contributing to his reputation as a versatile defender capable of guarding all five positions.
    • Defensive Rebounds: Led the NBA with 11.5 defensive rebounds per game, highlighted by nine games with 15+ defensive rebounds.
    • Team Defense: The Bucks led the league with a defensive rating of 101.3 and allowed an NBA-low 41.3% field goal percentage. Giannis’ on-court presence reduced points allowed by eight per 100 possessions compared to when he was off the court.

    This season cemented Giannis as a “free safety” defender, disrupting plays with his length and mobility, excelling in rim protection, and anchoring the NBA’s best defense.

    The Decline: Evidence from 2020-25

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

    1. Defensive Rating (DRtg)

    Giannis’ DRtg has worsened significantly since 2019-20:

    • 2019-20: 96.5 (league-leading)
    • 2020-21: 104.1
    • 2021-22: 106.8
    • 2022-23: 109.4
    • 2023-24: 110.2
    • 2024-25: 110.0

    A DRtg increase from 96.5 to 110 indicates that the Bucks allow 13.5 more points per 100 possessions with Giannis on the court compared to his DPOY year. Giannis’ individual DRtg decline is notable. The chart here on the right shows that this decline is also pronounced in the playoffs.

    2. Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM)

    DBPM reflects a player’s defensive contribution relative to the league average:

    • 2019-20: 3.2 (league-leading)
    • 2020-21: 2.8
    • 2021-22: 2.4
    • 2022-23: 2.1
    • 2023-24: 1.9

    The consistent downward trend in DBPM shows Giannis’ defensive impact is no longer elite.

    3. Opponent Field Goal Percentage (Opp FG%)

    Giannis’ ability to contest shots has also declined:

    • 2019-20: 36.3% overall, 41.8% at the rim (best in the NBA)
    • 2024-25: 42.4% overall

    This suggests Giannis is not as effective particularly in rim protection and one-on-one match ups. His mind is too focused on getting his stat padding done, points, assists, rebounds are all he cares about because that is what most of you talk about.

    4. Steals

    Traditional hustle stats provide insight into defensive activity:

    • 2020-21: 1.2 steals
    • 2021-22: 1.1 steals
    • 2022-23: 0.8 steals
    • 2023-24: 1.1 steals
    • 2024-25: 0.9 steals

    Steals have trended slightly downward (from 1.2 to 0.9) indicating reduced perimeter disruption.

    5. All-Defensive Team Selections

    Giannis was a lock for All-Defensive First Team from 2019 to 2021. However:

    • 2022-23: All-Defensive Second Team
    • 2023-24: All-Defensive Second Team
    • 2024-25: Not selected for either All-Defensive Team, with players like Dyson Daniels and Evan Mobley taking precedence.

    This drop from perennial First Team to no selection in 2024-25 reflects a decline in perceived defensive impact among voters.

    So yes, he is worse at everything

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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!