Greek Freak Analyzed

Tag: fiba

  • 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.

  • The FIBA Euro championships are a joke

    The FIBA Euro championships are a joke

    Since 1999, FIBA limits each team to only one naturalized player on the roster, which forces teams to rely mostly on native or dual-national players (passport obtained before age 16). This rule aims to maintain competitive balance and national representation authenticity. Many strong teams carefully select their one naturalized player to fill key roster gaps especially at EuroBasket tournaments from 2017 to 2025.

    Teams incorporating naturalized players often use them to address specific positional needs (e.g., point guard or centre) not adequately covered by native players, which can enhance overall team performance and competitiveness. For example, the European champion Slovenia in 2017 used the American naturalized player Anthony Randolph effectively alongside Luka Dončić. FIBA rules allow a team to have one naturalized player on their roster who obtained a passport after the age of 16. This creates a loophole for federations to recruit talented players, often from the United States, who have no genuine connection to the country they are representing. It is nationality for convenience. Tyler Dorsey, for instance, a player with Greek heritage who played for Greece in EuroBasket 2025, is still considered “naturalised” by FIBA because he received his passport after the age of 16. Other players, like Jordan Loyd for Poland and Darius Thompson for Italy, acquired citizenship to play in the tournament, despite having no prior ties. This practice is completely different from a player who has a true dual citizenship from birth or has lived in the country for a significant period. While these players may be skilled and contribute to their teams, their presence cheapens the meaning of “national team.” It transforms the competition from a battle of nations into a recruitment war, where the team with the most money and connections can simply buy a star to fill a hole in their roster.

    NBA player presence on teams correlates with stronger competitive performance. EuroBasket 2025, for instance, features numerous NBA players across several teams such as Serbia (Nikola Jokić), Germany (Franz Wagner, Dennis Schröder), and France (Bilal Coulibaly). These teams with multiple NBA players generally are regarded as favourites due to elite talent and experience. Teams relying solely on native players without naturalised players sometimes emphasise homegrown talent and strong national basketball traditions (e.g., Latvia in EuroBasket 2025) but may lack the positional flexibility or depth that naturalised players provide. Dual citizenship and naturalisation policies add complexity but offer teams strategic roster-building tools. The trend across the past 5 European Championships (approx. EuroBasket 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2022/2025) shows increasing integration of NBA talent and naturalized players, with most medal-contending teams having at least one NBA player and a naturalized player selected with tactical purpose. This turns the concept of a true “national team” into a marketing opportunity for the NBA, with fans tuning in not to see national pride, but to watch their favourite players in a different jersey. It dilutes the unique style of European basketball, which traditionally emphasises team-oriented play and structured offences, a point even acknowledged by Giannis’s former coach, Darvin Ham. The focus shifts from the collective to the individual, eroding the very essence of national team competition. Teams with only native players may rely on strong local development but tend to have less roster flexibility and fewer positional specialists brought in via naturalization or NBA experience.

    Given the past 5 EuroBasket finals data winners had 1 to 4 NBA players.

    • 2022 Spain: Juancho Hernangomez (Toronto Raptors), Willy Hernangomez (New Orleans Pelicans)
    • 2017 Slovenia: Goran Dragic (Miami Heat), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks, injured during final but key player)
    • 2015 Spain: Pau Gasol (Chicago Bulls)
    • 2013 France: Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Nicolas Batum (Portland Trail Blazers)
    • 2011 Spain: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)
    • 2009 Spain: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers

    Even outside the NBA, it is the NBA dictating who wins. More NBA players means you win basically. Is it a direct correlation? Well no, because some NBA players don’t impact games or don’t risk injury. So what are we even looking at? Some players playing to become famous while the best players are more concerned with protecting their health or getting knocked out early to return to their real work in the NBA.

    And then of course is the second problem. Naturalised players, ie completely irrelevant to the country they are playing for usually, those that didn’t even make it in the NBA but are so good compared to local talent that they get on the teams. For example:

    • Turkey: Shane Larkin (naturalized)
    • Greece: Tyler Dorsey (naturalized)
    • Montenegro: Kyle Allman Jr. (naturalized)
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina: John Roberson (naturalized)
    • Cyprus: Darral Willis (naturalized)
    • Georgia: Kamar Baldwin (naturalized)
    • Portugal: Travante Williams (naturalized)
    • Italy: Darius Thompson

    It is a bit like the old days when the NBA only allowed one negro per team “when the match was tough” as an unofficial rule between the team owners. European teams are playing a silly game with silly rules in fact by having various players naturalised but then only allowing one to play. This is covert racism which leads to a possibly dangerous type of nationalism. The winners are either teams with NBA stars (ie they have learned how to play and have been trained in the NBA) or naturalised players who are the NBA hand me downs. What sort of “national” team is it when the coach has to give instructions in English so that everyone understands?

    And that’s not even the start of the problems with this tournament. Injuries come from the players playing too many games. Is it worth it? Why are there so many super weak teams in the tournament? Players get into the temptation to smash records playing against nations that are very weak. It’s not fun to watch either.

  • Antetokounmpo brothers on the same team? Makes no sense!

    Antetokounmpo brothers on the same team? Makes no sense!

    Having all three (or even four) Antetokounmpo brothers—Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas (occasionally including Alex)—on the same team, especially the Greek national basketball team, may sound like a dream for curious fans or as a marketing story. However, from a basketball and team-building perspective, it actually makes little sense.

    1. Overlapping Skill Sets, Not Complementary Roles

    The Antetokounmpo brothers, while all extremely athletic and hardworking, share similar physical profiles and playing styles. Giannis is a ball-dominant forward but Thanasis and Kostas (and Alex, to an extent) are also lengthy, athletic forwards—generally specialising in defence, hustle, and energy. They are not elite shooters or play makers. Having several players with similar roles and limitations (especially non-superstar siblings) can lead to roster redundancy and limit tactical flexibility. Most successful national teams are built by blending complementary skills: shooters, passers, rim protectors, and versatile role players.

    2. Team Chemistry vs. Nepotism and Meritocracy

    Bringing siblings onto the same roster can risk perceptions—and realities—of favoritism. The ideal for national teams is picking the absolute best in each position, giving the country the highest chance of success. The Greek national team routinely features NBA, EuroLeague, and top Greek league talent in every position, so spots are incredibly competitive. Choosing brothers as a package (especially if not all are among the country’s top players) could erode trust within the team and anger fans or other deserving players who are left out.

    3. Distraction and Media Hype

    The story of “all the Antetokounmpo brothers together” would attract enormous attention and media scrutiny. While this brings publicity, it can also distract from the squad’s actual preparations and objectives. The focus can shift from building a winning team system to the novelty of the family lineup, which could upset team dynamics or create unwanted off-court narratives the coach must manage.

    4. Sibling Dynamics—Strengths and Pitfalls

    There are benefits to sibling chemistry—knowing each other’s tendencies, supporting one another, and fostering a positive locker room culture. But this can easily turn into on-court arguments, frustrations, or unintended rivalry. Studies in team sports suggest that siblings on the same team sometimes struggle with boundaries, criticism, and balancing the family bond with broader team unity. If one of the brothers receives more or less playing time, it can create tension or even resentment—harming both family and team morale.

    5. National Team Depth and Opportunity Cost

    Greece doesn’t lack basketball talent. The national team regularly qualifies for major tournaments and features an array of EuroLeague and NBA players. Forcing the inclusion of multiple Antetokounmpos can mean other players—perhaps a needed shooter, ball-handler, or defensive specialist—are left out, reducing the overall ceiling of the team. National teams must put winning first, not family reunions.

    6. Evidence: Actual Roster Decisions

    Historically, while there have been moments when more than one Antetokounmpo was named to a preliminary roster, rarely are all three featured in the final 12-man squad for a major tournament, and performances suggest balancing the roster is prioritized. For instance, as recently as the EuroBasket 2025 preliminary roster, Giannis and Kostas are included, with Thanasis ruled out due to injury and Alex not among the final picks—demonstrating a merit-based approach and the challenges of fitting multiple brothers onto a balanced squad125.

    Will it happen?
    While the Antetokounmpo brothers have each made notable achievements, and their shared story inspires millions, national team basketball demands the sharpest focus on fit, balance, and the high-stakes realities of international competition. Assembling all three brothers on the court, especially when not all are among Greece’s very best, risks sacrificing team strength for sentiment and spectacle—which doesn’t make sense if the goal is to win medals and maximise the nation’s basketball legacy. Despite consistently delivering strong individual performances and drawing global attention to Greek basketball, Giannis has failed to lead Greece to any significant international medals or deep tournament runs—a reality that has frustrated fans and analysts alike.

    High Hopes, Early Exits

    • 2016 Olympic Qualifiers: Giannis averaged a solid 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. However, Greece was eliminated by Croatia and failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
    • 2019 FIBA World Cup: This tournament was highly anticipated, as Giannis entered as the reigning NBA MVP—the first to play in a FIBA World Cup. Expectations were sky-high, but Greece failed to progress past the second round, finishing 11th overall. This exit was widely described as disappointing, given the roster’s talent and Giannis’s status as an NBA superstar.
    • EuroBasket 2022: Antetokounmpo showcased extraordinary stats—29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists per game, leading all scorers and being named to the All-Tournament Team. Yet, Greece lost in the quarter-finals to Germany, and Giannis was ejected after two unsportsmanlike fouls in that match, again cutting short the team’s title aspirations.
    • 2024 Paris Olympics: After helping Greece earn their first Olympic basketball appearance in 16 years, Giannis was the team’s flagbearer and central figure. He averaged a tournament-high 25.8 points with very efficient shooting, but Greece could only muster a 1–2 record in the group stage and were eliminated in the quarter-finals, this time by Germany.

    Why Haven’t Results Matched the Hype?

    • No Medals Despite NBA Stardom: Across all major tournaments from 2014 through 2024, Giannis and Greece have never reached the semifinals of a EuroBasket, World Cup, or the Olympics, let alone won a medal.
    • Mismatch of Styles and Roles: Giannis’s unique playstyle—most effective as a ball-dominant forward in the NBA—has been harder to maximize in international basketball, where different rules, roster depth, and the absence of NBA spacing have limited his impact on winning at the highest level, despite impressive box scores.
    • Unmet Expectations: The gap between NBA success and international results has drawn criticism and disappointment from Greek fans and the media, putting extra pressure on Antetokounmpo each cycle. Greek journalists and some international observers have not hesitated to question why “the Greek Freak” has been unable to elevate his national team to the podium.

    Giannis’s Perspective

    Despite the lack of medals, Giannis has repeatedly pushed back on the idea of “failure” in sports, famously arguing that every loss is a step towards future success and that his journey with Greece—win or lose—is a source of pride and growth. Still, results on the court remain clear: Giannis’s time with the Greek national team has been marked by unfulfilled potential and a string of high-profile exits, fuelling debate about how best to build around such superstars in the international game. Especially someone like Giannis who is used being pampered with the Bucks where the entire roster essentially works to make him look good all the time.

  • 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.