Greek Freak Analyzed

Tag: stat

  • The Rebounding Illusion: Giannis Antetokounmpo the Bucks Worse on the Boards

    The Rebounding Illusion: Giannis Antetokounmpo the Bucks Worse on the Boards

    In NBA analytics, some stats cut through the hype and reveal uncomfortable truths. The “BEAST ON THE BOARDS” chart illustrates how star big men’s presence impacts their team’s rebound percentages. Players like Steven Adams (+19.1 OREB%, +18.5 TREB%) and Nikola Jokic (+3.1, +6.2) boost their squads, living up to their reputations as rebounding forces. But then there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, with negative differentials: -3.1 OREB% and -0.2 TREB%. This isn’t a glitch—it’s a pattern that questions the “Greek Freak’s” true impact.

    Giannis posts gaudy individual numbers, averaging double-digit rebounds most seasons, but the team’s rebounding suffers when he’s on the floor. Why? It’s not just about team dynamics; it’s tied to Giannis’ evolving priorities, defensive shortcomings, and a focus on personal stats over team success. Since his 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, his defence has declined, he’s emphasised offence, chased highlights, and padded rebounds—often at the expense of cohesive play. Let’s break it down with data and context.

    Understanding On-Off Rebound Percentages

    Before we dissect Giannis’ case, let’s clarify the stat. Rebound percentage measures the share of available rebounds a team (or player) secures while on the court. It’s more insightful than raw rebounds because it accounts for pace and opportunities—after all, a fast-paced game might have more misses, but the percentage normalizes that.

    • OREB%: The percentage of a team’s own missed shots that they rebound (offensive rebounds / (offensive rebounds + opponent’s defensive rebounds)).
    • TREB%: The overall rebound percentage, combining offensive and defensive boards.

    The “on-off differential” compares the team’s performance in these metrics when a player is on the court versus off. A positive number means the team rebounds better with the player playing; a negative means they rebound better without them.

    Data from sites like Cleaning the Glass shows this isn’t a one-off fluke for Giannis. In the 2021-22 season (which aligns closely with the chart’s numbers, showing -2.8 OREB% on-off), and other years like 2018-19 (-1.2%) and 2020-21 (-1.9%), Giannis posted negative differentials. Yet, in more recent seasons like 2023-24 (+2.6 OREB%) and 2024-25 (+1.8%), it’s flipped positive. So, what’s going on?

    Giannis’ Individual Stats: Impressive, But Inflated?

    Giannis ranks among the league’s top rebounders, but scrutiny reveals issues:

    SeasonRebounds Per Game (RPG)Total Rebound % (TRB%)Defensive Rating (DRtg)Defensive BPM (DBPM)
    2019-2013.621.4%974.1
    2020-2111.018.5%1072.8
    2021-2211.619.2%1063.5
    2022-2311.819.8%1082.7
    2023-2411.518.8%1122.4
    2024-2511.919.5%1092.5

    (Source: Basketball-Reference)

    His RPG and TRB% are solid, but notice the defensive metrics. Post-DPOY (where he posted a league-best 97 DRtg), his DRtg has worsened to 107-112, indicating more points allowed per 100 possessions. DBPM, measuring defensive impact, dropped from 4.1 to as low as 2.4. This decline correlates with negative rebound diffs, as poor defence leads to more opponent makes—and fewer rebound chances.

    The Shift: From Defensive Anchor to Offensive Focus

    Giannis won DPOY in 2019-20 as a versatile defender, using his 7-foot wingspan for help defence and rim protection. But since then, his effort has waned. Analysts note he’s prioritised offence over grinding on D. Bucks’ schemes rely on him as a free safety, but he often chases “highlight reel” plays—spectacular blocks or steals—instead of sticking to plans.

    This individualism disrupts team rebounding. Teammates “clear out” on misses, letting Giannis grab easy defensive boards to pad stats, rather than contesting collectively. A notorious 2023 incident saw him intentionally miss a shot for his own rebound to secure a triple-double, later rescinded by the NBA amid “stat-padding” backlash. Fans and media called it “shameless,” highlighting a pattern where personal milestones trump team efficiency.

    Defensive Shortcomings: Speed, Switching, and Fundamentals

    Giannis’ late start in basketball—he didn’t play organised ball until age 13 in Greece—shows in his reflexes and scheme comprehension. Unlike peers who honed instincts young, he struggles with complex switches in modern pick-and-roll defences. He’s not fast enough laterally to guard perimeter threats, often getting blown by or mispositioned. This leads to breakdowns: Opponents exploit gaps, leading to more makes and fewer Bucks rebounds.

    In high-pace lineups with Giannis, the team leaks out for transitions, but his defensive lapses mean more opponent scores—reducing OREB% opportunities. Bench units, without him, play more structured, grabbing boards at higher rates. Social media discussions echo this: “Giannis was only ever a helpside defender… not much of a rim protector.” His blocks (around 1-1.5/game post-DPOY) are flashy but don’t anchor like Gobert’s.

    Lineup and Opponent Factors: Excuses or Reality?

    Sure, roster changes matter—Brook Lopez’s injuries forced adjustments, and backups like Bobby Portis (16.5% TRB% in 2021-22) feast in non-Giannis minutes. But this masks Giannis’ issues. He faces starters, but his declining DBPM suggests he’s not elevating the unit. Bucks’ overall TREB% (50-52%) is average, but negatives persist because Giannis’ style—offence-first, stat-chasing—trades team rebounding for personal glory.

    He’s in his prime physically but coasting defensively.

    Time for Accountability

    Giannis’ negative on-off rebound diffs aren’t a paradox—they’re a symptom of prioritising offence, highlights, and stats over defence and team play. His late basketball start hampers reflexes in schemes, and rebound “padding” inflates numbers while hurting the Bucks. Milwaukee won in 2021 despite this, but as defences evolve, Giannis must recommit defensively. In 2025-26, under Doc Rivers, watch if he adapts—or if the illusion crumbles further.

  • Giannis in the “friendly” against Latvia: selfish and dangerous!

    Giannis in the “friendly” against Latvia: selfish and dangerous!

    Last night, on August 20, 2025, Greece faced off against Latvia in a EuroBasket warm-up game at the Acropolis Tournament. What was supposed to be a triumphant return for Giannis Antetokounmpo turned into a frustrating display of individualism over team play. Greece may have won 104-86, but Giannis’ performance was anything but the heroic effort some headlines are painting it as. In fact, it was downright selfish and poorly executed in key areas, raising questions about his fit with the national team as they gear up for EuroBasket 2025.

    The Context: High Expectations for the Greek Freak

    Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP and Milwaukee Bucks superstar, hadn’t played a competitive game in nearly four months. This exhibition against Latvia—featuring NBA talent like Kristaps Porzingis—was meant to be his tune-up, a chance to shake off the rust and lead Greece to dominance. Instead, what we saw was a player who seemed more focused on padding his own stats than elevating his teammates. Greece’s national team has struggled in recent prep games without him, averaging just 66.7 points per game in their first four exhibitions. But with Giannis back, the offense exploded to 61 points in the first half alone—yet much of that felt forced through one man, highlighting a selfish approach that could spell trouble in tighter contests.

    Stat Line Breakdown: Numbers That Mask the Issues

    At first glance, Giannis’ box score looks impressive: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, shooting 9-of-12 from the field (75%) and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line (78%), all in just 15 minutes. But let’s dig deeper. These stats scream inefficiency in team context and a me-first mentality.

    Here’s a quick table comparing Giannis’ output to what we’d expect from a true team leader in an international setting:

    CategoryGiannis’ StatsExpected for Team PlayCritique
    Points2515-20 (balanced scoring)Hogged shots, taking 12 attempts in 15 minutes— that’s nearly one shot per minute, leaving little room for others.
    Rebounds108-12Solid, but many were uncontested; Latvia’s poor interior defense gifted him easy boards rather than earned through hustle.
    Assists36+Pathetic for a player of his caliber. Only 3 dimes? This shows he prioritized scoring over setting up teammates like Kostas Sloukas (who had 10 assists).
    Shooting Efficiency75% FGHigh, but volume mattersEfficient, sure, but at what cost? Dominating the ball led to fewer touches for Greece’s shooters, who went 14-26 from three as a team but could have done more with better distribution.
    Minutes Played1520-25Benched early? Or pulled because his style wasn’t meshing? He exploded for 20 points in the first half but faded, suggesting stamina or focus issues.
    TurnoversNot reported (assumed low)MinimalWithout full details, we can’t ignore potential sloppy plays; his aggressive style often leads to charges and travels in international rules.
    Defensive Impact2 STL, 2 BLKEliteFlashes of brilliance, but Latvia scored 86 points—too many for a “defensive anchor” like Giannis to allow, especially against a Porzingis-led squad that shot poorly (Porzingis: 7 points on 2-7 FG).

    These numbers reveal a player who was effective in isolation but detrimental to fluid team basketball. Giannis’ 20 points in just 10 first-half minutes might sound like dominance, but it came via 8-9 two-pointers and free throws—basically bullying his way inside without much creativity or involvement of others. In the NBA, this works because of spacing and rules, but in FIBA play, where physicality is ramped up, it borders on selfishness.

    Selfish Play: Ball-Hogging and Ignoring Teammates

    The most glaring issue was Giannis’ selfishness. In 15 minutes, he attempted 12 field goals— that’s a usage rate that would make even prime James Harden blush. While Greece built a 61-45 halftime lead, it felt like a one-man show rather than a cohesive unit. Teammates like Giannoulis Larentzakis (14 points, including hot three-point shooting) had to wait for scraps, only heating up in the third quarter when Giannis sat. And those 3 assists? Barely enough to qualify as playmaking. Compare that to Sloukas’ 10 assists, and it’s clear who was actually facilitating.

    Post-game reactions on social media were overwhelmingly positive, but that’s the hype machine at work. Fans gushed over the “Greek Freak unleashed,” but critics like us see the cracks: a player more interested in personal highlights than building chemistry. More importantly there was clearly an officiating issue with the Latvian players frustrated at dirty plays by the Greeks all game long.

    Badly Executed Moments: Rust or Ego?

    Giannis’ play was bad in subtle ways that stats don’t capture. His free-throw shooting at 78% (7-9) is decent but missed opportunities in a game where Latvia fouled aggressively. Defensively, while he had blocks and steals, Latvia’s 86 points indicate lapses—Porzingis may have struggled, but role players like Rihards Lomazs (17 points) found open looks too easily. And let’s talk rust: after four months off, Giannis looked gassed by the end of his stint, forcing shots instead of deferring.

    Greece won by 18, but against a Latvia team missing full strength (Porzingis limited to 19 minutes and clearly frustrated at the dirty plays he received early on), this should have been a blowout. Instead, it was a grind until the fourth quarter, partly because Giannis’ iso-heavy style disrupted rhythm. You have to wonder if the Bucks are not regretting allowing him to play and risk injury, since he clearly does not understand how to behave safely on the court.

    What This Means for Greece and EuroBasket 2025

    This performance is a red flag. If Giannis continues this selfish approach, Greece risks imploding in EuroBasket, where team basketball reigns supreme. Coach Vassilis Spanoulis needs to rein him in, emphasise passing, and integrate him better. Remember, international success comes from unity, not one-man heroics.

  • Why was Giannis on the floor in overtime of Game 5?

    Why was Giannis on the floor in overtime of Game 5?

    The Milwaukee Bucks’ 2025 NBA Playoff run came to a heartbreaking end on April 29, 2025, with a 119-118 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of their first-round series. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ two-time MVP and perennial All-NBA star, delivered a monster performance on paper, posting a 30-point, 20-rebound triple-double. Yet, despite his gaudy stat line, a closer examination of his play in the critical overtime period reveals that he was a liability on both ends of the floor.

    The Context: A Game of Momentum Swings

    Game 5 was a rollercoaster, with the Bucks jumping out to a 13-0 lead, only for the Pacers to storm back from a 20-point deficit. The game was tied at 103 after regulation, thanks in part to Giannis missing a 16-foot turnaround jumper at the buzzer—a shot that, while within his skill set, was a low-percentage look under pressure. In overtime, the Bucks held a 118-111 lead with just 40 seconds remaining, but Indiana mounted an 8-0 run to steal the game, capped by Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning layup with one second left. Giannis, who played all five minutes of overtime, was at the center of Milwaukee’s collapse.

    Defensive Liability: Failing to Contain Haliburton

    Defensively, Giannis is sometimes a force. Well, he used to be. His length, athleticism, and instincts make him a former Defensive Player of the Year and a constant disruptor. However, in overtime, he looked gassed and was repeatedly exposed, particularly by Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. Posts on social media captured the sentiment of fans and analysts who watched the game closely, with one user noting, “Giannis didn’t adjust his defense, kept getting baited into committing, and then he has no help defense once he gets blown by”. This critique is spot-on.

    The game’s defining moment came on Haliburton’s game-winning layup. With 17 seconds left, Andrew Nembhard hit a 33-foot three-pointer to cut the Bucks’ lead to one. On the ensuing possession, Gary Trent Jr. fumbled a pass out of bounds, giving Indiana the ball back. Haliburton, guarded by Giannis, shook him with a hesitation move, drove left past him “like he was standing still” , and laid the ball in over Brook Lopez for the 119-118 lead. Giannis’ inability to stay in front of Haliburton was inexcusable for a player of his caliber. His fatigue was evident—he played 44 minutes total, including the entire fourth quarter and overtime —and it showed in his sluggish lateral movement. Gianni’s is never fast in these situations but here it was just plain epic stupidity to get outplayed in the same way multiple times and not change anything. Doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is a sure sign of extremely low intelligence.

    Earlier in overtime, the Bucks also suffered from defensive breakdowns, with Doc Rivers pointing to Nembhard’s deep three as a “key play”. While Giannis wasn’t directly guarding Nembhard, his role as a help defender was critical, and he failed to rotate effectively. The Pacers’ ability to exploit Milwaukee’s defense in overtime was a team-wide issue, but Giannis, as the anchor, bore significant responsibility. His energy levels appeared depleted, and his defensive awareness waned at the worst possible time.

    Could another player have fared better? The Bucks’ starting lineup included Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., AJ Green, and Bobby Portis, with Brook Lopez as a rim-protecting option off the bench. Trent, who led the team with two steals per game, or even a fresher wing like AJ Green could have taken on Haliburton. Green, who played 46 minutes, was part of the lineup that forced a shot-clock violation early in the game, suggesting he had the defensive chops to at least contest Haliburton’s drives. While no one on the roster matches Giannis’ defensive upside, his exhaustion made him a net negative in this scenario.

    Offensive Struggles: Limited Impact in Crunch Time

    Offensively, Giannis was similarly ineffective in overtime. He scored just two points on two shot attempts, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out two assists. While these numbers aren’t terrible in a vacuum, they pale in comparison to his overall game impact and highlight his limitations in high-stakes, half-court situations. Fans on X were harsh, with one stating, “Giannis has always been helpless in crunch time when he can’t run and dunk”. This criticism, while hyperbolic, points to a recurring issue: Giannis’ game is less effective when the pace slows and defenses tighten.

    In regulation, Giannis had a chance to win the game but “threw up a laughable brick” on a fadeaway jumper. This miss set the tone for his overtime performance, where he failed to assert himself as a scorer. The Bucks’ offense relied heavily on Gary Trent Jr., who nailed four three-pointers in overtime, including multiple contested looks. Trent’s hot shooting nearly saved Milwaukee, but the team’s two turnovers in the final 30 seconds—culminating in Trent’s fumble—sealed their fate. Giannis, as the primary ball-handler in “Point Giannis” mode, didn’t create enough to compensate for these miscues.

    Giannis’ offensive limitations are well-documented. His midrange game, while improved, remains inconsistent, and his three-point shooting is nonexistent (0-for-1 in Game 4, per). In overtime, the Pacers packed the paint, daring him to shoot or pass out to shooters. With Damian Lillard sidelined for the series, Giannis lacked a reliable pick-and-roll partner to break down Indiana’s defense. His 13 assists for the game show his playmaking ability, but in overtime, he couldn’t generate high-quality looks when it mattered most.

    Contrast this with Haliburton, who scored Indiana’s last five points in overtime, including the game-winner, and their last eight in regulation. The Pacers’ offense flowed through their star, who was “unafraid” and made plays in clutch moments. Milwaukee needed Giannis to match that intensity, but he couldn’t. A player like Kevin Porter Jr., who played 47 minutes and had shown scoring flashes in the series, might have offered a spark as a secondary creator, even if his decision-making is less polished.

    The Root Cause was not fatigue

    He logged 44 minutes, second only to Trent’s 48 among Bucks starters. Posts on social media noted that “Giannis looked gassed all five minutes” in overtime, while the Pacers “had the energy to play ten more”. But those are pathetic excuses. Even 40 year old LeBron James played a whole half with no break and was a monster on both ends. Gianni’s is only 30 and boasts about his physical conditioning, you can’t just pretend he lost it all of a sudden. No, these issues have plagued Giannis in every important match up and I pointed them all out months ago.

    The emphasis on his numbers in total ignores the reality of playoff NBA basketball. Giannis’ stat-stuffing didn’t translate to winning plays in overtime. All season they haven’t, the Bucks have not beat any of the top seeded teams in the East. Giannis gets amazing stats, the team fails. We have seen this before and it’s on Giannis, not the rest of the roster. His defensive lapses and offensive passivity were glaring, and the Bucks’ collapse—blowing a seven-point lead in 40 seconds—demanded a tactical adjustment. It is unfair to talk about Rivers’ refusal to adapt, since we all know Giannis demands to be on court in these games. Giannis handed the Pacers the momentum they needed to close out the series.

    Game 5’s overtime exposed his vulnerabilities. Defensively, he couldn’t contain Haliburton or anchor the team’s scheme. Offensively, he was limited to two points and failed to create when the Bucks needed it most. It is also completely unfair to blame the Bucks’ lack of depth. That is Giannis fault for not giving them more chances in the regular season. He is too busy stat padding even in garbage time of blowout wins. As Giannis himself said postgame, he needs to “look in the mirror” and improve. After 3 years of early playoff exits we are not seen any improvement. Obviously Giannis doesn’t have any good mirrors around him, just people that suck up to him.

  • Statpadder. The definition of basketball stat padding

    Statpadder. The definition of basketball stat padding

    Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, an NBA champion and a Finals MVPAt 30 years old (as of March 11, 2025), the Milwaukee Bucks superstar has already cemented himself as a future Hall of Famer. His combination of size, speed —7 feet of pure chaos barreling down the court, dunking on helpless defenders, and racking up accolades. But beneath the highlight reels and the Greek Freak mythology, there’s a lingering critique that doesn’t get enough airtime: Is Giannis the ultimate stat-padder in today’s NBA?

    Before you grab your pitchforks, hear me out. I am simply asking whether some of his eye-popping numbers come with an asterisk—not because he’s cheating, but because of how he plays, how the Bucks use him, and how the modern NBA’s pace-and-space era amplifies his stat lines. Let’s break it down.

    What Is Stat-Padding, Anyway?

    First, let’s define the term. Stat-padding is when a player prioritizes personal numbers over team success, often chasing stats in ways that don’t necessarily align with winning basketball. It’s the guy who hunts rebounds instead of contesting a shot, or the one who holds the ball for an extra assist rather than making the simple play. In Giannis’s case, the accusation isn’t that he’s simply selfish but that his style of play and the Bucks’ system inflate his stats in an effort to make him look superhuman.

    Critics argue that Giannis’s gaudy box scores—think 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists on a random Tuesday against the Wizards—sometimes mask inefficiencies or situational quirks that pad his numbers.

    The Rebound Machine: Effort or Opportunism?

    Giannis has averaged double-digit boards in six of his last seven seasons, peaking at 13.6 per game in 2022-23. For a guy who often plays like a point guard in a center’s body, that’s insane. But here’s the catch: A significant chunk of those rebounds are uncontested.

    In the Bucks’ defensive scheme, Giannis often roams as a free safety, lurking in the paint or near the baseline to clean up misses. Smaller guards and wings box out, while Giannis swoops in for the grab. It’s a smart strategy—maximize your best athlete’s impact—but it also means he’s feasting on rebounds that don’t require much resistance. Compare that to traditional bigs like Nikola Jokić or Joel Embiid, who wrestle with opposing centers for position. Giannis’s rebounding totals are legit, but the context suggests he’s in prime position to rack them up.

    And then there’s the offensive glass. Giannis is a master at tapping out his own misses—those wild, spinning drives that don’t always go in but give him a second chance. It’s a skill, no doubt, but it also boosts his rebounding numbers in a way that feels almost self-fulfilling. Miss a layup, grab the board, go back up—boom, another double-double.

    Points in Garbage Time: The Silent Accumulator

    Giannis’s scoring is where the stat-padding argument gets spicier. He’s averaged over 30 points per game in multiple seasons, including a career-high 32.1 in 2022-23. His efficiency is off the charts, with a true shooting percentage that hovers around 60% most years. But dig into the game logs, and you’ll notice a pattern: Giannis loves to pile on points when the game is already decided.

    Take a typical Bucks blowout. With Milwaukee up 20 in the fourth quarter, Giannis often stays on the floor longer than necessary, bulldozing backups for easy buckets. It’s not that he’s begging Coach Bud (or now Doc Rivers) to keep him in—it’s that the Bucks don’t always pull him early, and Giannis doesn’t exactly coast. He’s relentless, which is part of his charm, but it also means he’s snagging 4-6 extra points in garbage time that turn a solid 26-point night into a sexy 32-point headline.

    Contrast this with someone like LeBron James, who’s mastered the art of stat accumulation but often sits out entire fourth quarters in blowouts. Giannis’s motor is a blessing and a curse—it wins him MVPs, but it also fuels the stat-padding narrative.

    The Assist Hunt: Turnover-Prone Playmaking

    Giannis’s evolution into a playmaker has been remarkable, if catastrophic for his team. From a raw prospect who barely passed the ball in his early years, he’s become a legitimate hub, averaging 5-7 assists per game in recent seasons. The Bucks run their offense through him at the top of the key, letting him survey the floor and kick out to shooters like Damian Lillard or Khris Middleton.

    But here’s the rub: Giannis isn’t a natural passer. His assist numbers are impressive, yet they come with a cost—turnovers. He’s averaged over 3 turnovers per game every year since 2017-18, peaking at 3.7 in 2022-23. Giannis is worse in the league almost every year in assists to turnovers! Many of those are sloppy passes or charges from forcing drives into crowded lanes. Critics argue that Giannis sometimes holds the ball too long, fishing for an assist instead of making the quick read. It’s not blatant stat-chasing like Russell Westbrook in his triple-double heyday, but it’s enough to raise an eyebrow and it surely damages his team’s chances of winning close games.

    Watch a Bucks game, and you’ll see it: Giannis dribbles into a double-team, waits for a cutter or shooter to pop open, and either threads a highlight-reel pass or coughs it up. The assists pile up, but so do the mistakes. Is it stat-padding if it’s unintentional? Maybe not, but the numbers still get a boost.

    Free Throws: The Hack-a-Giannis Advantage

    Giannis lives at the free-throw line. He’s led the league in free-throw attempts multiple times, including 2020-21 (10.2 per game) and 2022-23 (10.6). His bruising style draws fouls like moths to a flame, and it’s a huge part of his scoring output. But—and this is a big but—he’s not great at converting them. His career free-throw percentage sits at a pedestrian 70%, dipping as low as 63% in 2023-24.

    So why does this matter for the stat-padding debate? Because even when he misses, Giannis benefits. Defenses foul him late in games to stop the clock (the Hack-a-Giannis strategy), giving him more trips to the line and more chances to pad his point total. A 6-for-12 night from the stripe still adds 6 points to the box score, even if it’s ugly. It’s not his fault teams foul him, but it’s another quirk that inflates his stats without requiring much finesse. In fact Giannis is shooting the free throws worse than ever in his career and still benefits in terms of stat padding for points like this!

    The Counterargument: Winning Trumps All

    Now, let’s flip the script. Giannis’s supporters—and there are many—would argue that this whole stat-padding narrative is nonsense. The man won a championship in 2021, dropping 50 points in Game 6 of the Finals to clinch it. He’s a Defensive Player of the Year (2020) who anchors an elite defense. His stats don’t come at the expense of winning; they fuel it. The Bucks have been a top seed in the East for years, and Giannis’s dominance is the reason.

    If he’s padding stats, they’d say, it’s incidental—a byproduct of his relentless effort and the Bucks’ reliance on him. He doesn’t chase triple-doubles like Westbrook or milk meaningless games like some benchwarmers. He plays to win, and the numbers follow. Plus, in an era where load management is king, Giannis rarely sits out—he’s logged over 2,000 minutes in most seasons since 2017. To me that is just them admitting that he stat pads. Because more and more, after a decade and more in the NBA it seems like the championship was a huge lucky break. And Giannis only cares for stat padding in the regular season.

    The Verdict: Ultimate Stat-Padder or Just Unstoppable?

    So, is Giannis the ultimate stat-padder? The truth lies in the gray area. His stats are inflated by his role, his physical gifts, and the Bucks’ system, and he obviously and clearly stat pads very often. He’s out there gaming the box score like a fantasy basketball addict, hell Wikipedia has him in the definition of stat padding!

    If we’re ranking stat-padders, Giannis is surely on the top tier. And his numbers are so absurd they invite scrutiny.