Greek Freak Analyzed

Tag: statistics

  • Euro 2025 leaders in everything

    Euro 2025 leaders in everything

    Here is the list of players with the most total points in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on all games played up to this point:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesPointsPPG
    1Luka DončićSlovenia620434.0
    2Lauri MarkkanenFinland615626.0
    3Deni AvdijaIsrael614424.0
    4Jordan LoydPoland613823.0
    5Nikola JokicSerbia613422.3
    6Alperen SengunTürkiye613222.0
    7Franz WagnerGermany612420.7

    Here are the players with the most total rebounds in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on group phase statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesRPGRebounds
    1Nikola VučevićMontenegro511.658
    2Tryggvi HlinasonIceland510.653
    3Alperen ŞengünTürkiye59.648
    4Nikola JokićSerbia59.246
    5Jusuf NurkićBosnia-Herz.59.045
    6Alen OmićSlovenia58.643
    7Lauri MarkkanenFinland58.241
    8Luka DončićSlovenia58.040

    Here are the players with the most total assists in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on current statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesAPGAssists
    1Luka DončićSlovenia69.255
    2Dennis SchröderGermany68.652
    3Vasilije MicićSerbia68.048
    4Elie OkoboFrance66.539
    5Rokas JokubaitisLithuania46.325
    6Killian HayesFrance65.835

    Here are the players with the most steals in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket based on current tournament statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesSteals TotalSteals Per Game (SPG)
    1Luka DončićSlovenia6193.2
    2Dennis SchröderGermany6172.8

    Here are the players with the most blocks in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket based on current official statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesBlocks TotalBlocks Per Game (BPG)
    1Nikola VučevićMontenegro5142.8
    2Jusuf NurkićBosnia-Herzegovina5132.6
    3Alperen ŞengünTürkiye6122.0
    4Nikola JokićSerbia6111.8
    5Luka DončićSlovenia6101.7

    Here are the players with the highest efficiency ratings in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on current official statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesEfficiency Rating (PER)
    1Luka DončićSlovenia632.5
    2Nikola JokićSerbia628.8
    3Lauri MarkkanenFinland626.3
    4Alperen SengunTürkiye625.4

    Here are the players with the highest free throw percentages in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket (minimum attempts considered):

    RankPlayerCountryGamesFree Throw Percentage (FT%)
    1Mike JamesItaly696.7%
    2Shane LarkinTurkey694.3%
    3Luka DončićSlovenia693.5%
    4Dennis SchröderGermany692.8%
    5Lauri MarkkanenFinland691.0%

    Here are the players with the highest three-point shooting percentages in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket (minimum attempts considered):

    RankPlayerCountryGamesThree-Point Percentage (3P%)
    1Rolands ŠmitsLatvia649.5%
    2Bogdan BogdanovićSerbia647.8%
    3Vlatko ČančarSlovenia646.2%
    4Shane LarkinTurkey645.0%
    5Kevin PangosFinland644.8%

  • Why did Giannis play today against Georgia? Stat padder supreme!

    Why did Giannis play today against Georgia? Stat padder supreme!

    I have analysed in detail how Giannis is the definition of a stat padder in the NBA. Click here to read it if you are not convinced, the man is literally in the definition of the term in Wikipedia. But today’s matchup against Georgia on August 31, 2025, raises some serious questions about his approach to these games. Greece cruised to a lopsided 94-53 victory, marking their third straight win in Group C and solidifying their status as group favorites. Yet, in what was essentially a glorified exhibition against an undermanned opponent, Giannis put up monster numbers: 27 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in just 25 minutes of action. Impressive on paper, sure. But let’s call it what it is – blatant stat padding in a game that was never in doubt, all while unnecessarily risking injury ahead of a grueling NBA campaign.

    The Game Breakdown: A Rout from the Jump

    From the opening tip, this contest was mismatched. Greece jumped out to a 22-13 lead after the first quarter, thanks in large part to Giannis and teammate Konstantinos Mitoglou combining for the team’s first 14 points. By halftime, the score ballooned to 46-29, with Giannis already dropping 16 points alongside Mitoglou’s 15 – the duo alone outscoring Georgia’s entire team in the first half. The third quarter saw Greece extend their dominance to 69-41, and the final period was pure garbage time, ending in a 41-point blowout that ties for one of the largest margins in recent EuroBasket history.

    Georgia, to their credit, was severely handicapped. Their NBA center Goga Bitadze – a former Bucks teammate of Giannis – didn’t play at all, leaving them without a true rim protector to challenge the Greek star inside. Captain Tornike Shengelia, another key veteran, was limited to just four minutes early on, further tilting the scales. Without these anchors, Georgia’s defense was porous, allowing Giannis to feast on easy drives, transition buckets, and even a perfect 1/1 from beyond the arc. He shot an efficient 8/10 on two-pointers and went 8/13 from the free-throw line, padding his totals with minimal resistance.

    The progression tells the story of a non-competitive affair. Greece’s defense forced turnovers early (five steals in the first quarter alone), leading to fast breaks that Giannis converted effortlessly. By the end of the third, the game was so out of reach that coach Vassilis Spanoulis could have – and should have – kept his star on the bench. Instead, Giannis was subbed back in with 4:52 left in the fourth, adding a couple of free throws before finally being pulled for good. Why? The outcome was sealed. This wasn’t about winning; it was about numbers.

    The Stat Padding Argument: Chasing Glory in Garbage Time

    Look, Giannis is a generational talent, and his raw stats today are undeniable. But context matters. In a blowout like this, where Greece led by double digits from the first quarter and never looked back, there’s no need for your MVP-caliber player to log 25 minutes – especially when he returned in the fourth for what amounted to mop-up duty. This smacks of stat padding: intentionally staying in or re-entering a decided game to inflate personal lines.

    Compare this to his approach in previous games. Just yesterday, against Cyprus, Giannis sat out entirely, allowing Greece to still win comfortably and move to 2-0. That was smart load management. Against Italy earlier in the tournament, he played 29 minutes and dropped 31 points in a closer 75-66 win – a scenario where his full effort was warranted. But Georgia? This was a team missing key players, struggling offensively (they scored just 53 points total), and posing zero threat. Giannis could have capped his night at 20 minutes with, say, 20 points, and no one would have batted an eye. Instead, he pushed for 27, including those late free throws, in what feels like a quest for headlines and highlight reels.

    Critics might say he’s just competitive, playing hard regardless of the score. Fair point, but at what cost? Stat padding isn’t new in basketball – we’ve seen it from stars chasing triple-doubles or scoring titles. For Giannis, who already has two MVPs and a Finals ring, these international stats boost his legacy narrative. But in a tournament like EuroBasket, where Greece is favored to advance deep, why not preserve energy for tougher matchups ahead, like potential clashes with Spain or Italy?

    The Injury Risk: Playing with Fire for No Reason

    Here’s where it gets reckless. Giannis is no stranger to injuries. He’s dealt with knee issues, back problems, and various tweaks over his NBA career, missing chunks of seasons that have impacted the Bucks’ playoff runs. International play adds extra mileage – more games, travel, and physicality without the NBA’s load management protocols. In a meaningless blowout against Georgia, every extra minute on the court is a needless gamble.

    Imagine this: A freak ankle roll in the fourth quarter while chasing a loose ball, or a hard foul from a frustrated Georgian player trying to make a statement. Boom – season derailed before it starts. The Bucks, who pay him over $48 million annually, must be sweating every time he suits up for Greece. And for what? To turn a 30-point lead into 41? The risk-reward ratio is absurdly skewed. EuroBasket is important for national pride, but Giannis’ health is paramount for his NBA legacy and Greece’s long-term success. Sitting out the Cyprus game showed he knows how to rest; applying that here would have been prudent.

    This isn’t just hypothetical. We’ve seen stars like Joel Embiid or Kawhi Leonard manage minutes meticulously to avoid injury. Giannis, at 30 years old and with a history of wear and tear, should follow suit. Playing hero ball in a rout doesn’t make him tougher; it makes him vulnerable.

    Despite the 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, a few cracks in his game stood out, particularly his struggles at the free-throw line and a couple of lapses that could raise eyebrows.

    • Poor Free-Throw Shooting: Giannis went 8/13 from the free-throw line, a subpar 61.5% clip. For a player who draws contact and gets to the line frequently – especially in blowouts where fouls pile up – this inefficiency is glaring. Missing five free throws in a game where he only took 11 total shots (10 two-pointers, 1 three-pointer) meant he left easy points on the table. This echoes his career-long struggle, with a 70.3% NBA free-throw average, and could hurt Greece in tighter games against stronger EuroBasket foes. In fact this season in the NBA he shot his worse 3pt% and ft% in his career.
    • Unnecessary Fourth-Quarter Minutes: While not a statistical negative, Giannis’ decision (or the coaching staff’s) to return in the fourth quarter of a decided game was questionable. With Greece up by over 30 points, his brief stint to add free throws felt like chasing stats rather than preserving energy. This choice risked injury and showed a lack of discipline in managing his workload.
    • Limited Playmaking: Despite his 4 assists, Giannis could have done more to involve teammates in a game where Georgia’s defense collapsed early. His focus on scoring – particularly in transition and isolation – occasionally overshadowed opportunities to set up players like Konstantinos Mitoglou, who was hot early. In a blowout, leaning harder into playmaking could have further elevated Greece’s team chemistry.

    Wrapping It Up: Time for Smarter Choices

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance today was dominant, no doubt – 27 points on efficient shooting, leading Greece to an easy win and keeping them atop Group C. Fans ate up the highlights, and social media buzzed with praise. But beneath the glamour, this game exposes a flaw: a tendency to pad stats in low-stakes scenarios, putting his body on the line for diminishing returns. Greece didn’t need him in the fourth; the tournament doesn’t hinge on one blowout’s margin. As EuroBasket progresses, Giannis should prioritize preservation over padding. His talent is too valuable to waste on games like this. Bucks fans, Greek supporters, and basketball purists alike should hope he dials it back – before an injury forces him to.

  • Giannis’ dunk, misinformation. No he was not the best

    Giannis’ dunk, misinformation. No he was not the best

    LeBron James scored 100% of his dunks last season. As he did the previous season. That shows something about his IQ on the court and his selection of moves. It shows he has bag and can turn to other ways of scoring or passing.

    Giannis? Sure he made the most dunk attempts in the NBA again. But as usual he hovers at 95%. Is that good? Well, some call it elite. I call it catastrophic.

    SeasonDunk AttemptsDunks MadeDunks MissedDunk %
    2022–232352231294.9%

    It also shows zero progress. Because Giannis is not adding to his tools, he is just doing the same thing again and again. And it’s working less and less. Sure he gets away with it in regular season games. Or when the opponents defence makes a mistake. But it is killing his team’s ball flow. His selfish attempts for stat padding show lack of bag and lack of understanding. The Bucks can’t develop like this.

    PlayerDunk AttemptsDunks MadeDunk %
    Giannis26425195.1%

    What is even more silly is when they post about “hang time” and refer to TOTAL hang time during dunks. Since Giannis made the most dunk attempts it makes sense that in TOTAL he was in the air more than others. But when you divide the total air time by the number of dunks he is actually at the bottom of the “hangtime” rankings, ie he is in the air less. Unspectacular. This is a player that has been in the NBA for more than a decade surrounded by players that were brought on the team to help him score and he still does stuff like this.

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024-25 NBA Season: A Statistical Comparison to Previous Years. No accolades!

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024-25 NBA Season: A Statistical Comparison to Previous Years. No accolades!

    The 2024-25 regular season saw some statistical declines in specific areas compared to his previous seasons. All statistics are sourced from reputable platforms like Basketball-Reference, ESPN, and NBA.com.

    Overview of Giannis’ 2024-25 Regular Season

    In the 2024-25 regular season, Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared in 67 games for the Milwaukee Bucks.

    Statistical Declines in 2024-25 Compared to Previous Seasons

    1. Points Per Game (PPG)

    2024-25: 30.4 PPG
    Giannis’ scoring output in 2024-25 was impressive but lower than his career-high 31.1 PPG in the 2022-23 season. Comparing to recent seasons:

    2. Free-Throw Attempts and Percentage

    2024-25: 10.8 FTA, 65.8% FT%
    Giannis’ free-throw shooting has long been a point of contention, and 2024-25 saw a decline in both attempts and efficiency:

    • Free-Throw Attempts (FTA):
      • 2023-24: 11.2 FTA2022-23: 12.3 FTA (highest in his career)2021-22: 11.4 FTA2020-21: 10.2 FTA2019-20: 10.0 FTA
      In 2024-25, Giannis averaged 10.8 free-throw attempts per game, lower than the previous three seasons. The league has figured him out.
    • Free-Throw Percentage (FT%):
      • 2023-24: 65.7% (nearly identical to 2024-25)2022-23: 64.5% (1.3% lower)2021-22: 72.2% (6.4% higher)2020-21: 68.5% (2.7% higher)2019-20: 63.3% (2.5% lower)
      His 65.8% FT% in 2024-25 was among his worst since 2019-20, significantly below his 72.2% peak in 2021-22. This regression in free-throw accuracy impacted his overall scoring efficiency, especially in close games and is a massive liability in a lot of situations.

    3. Steals Per Game (SPG)

    2024-25: 0.9 SPG
    Giannis’ defensive impact used to be a hallmark of his game, but his steals average in 2024-25 was a notable low:

    • 2023-24: 1.2 SPG
    • 2022-23: 0.8 SPG (career low, tied with 2021-22)
    • 2021-22: 1.1 SPG
    • 2020-21: 1.2 SPG
    • 2019-20: 1.0 SPG

    The 0.9 SPG in 2024-25 was lower than four of the past five seasons, matching his 2019-20 output but falling short of his 2023-24 and 2020-21 figures. This dip may reflect a strategic shift, with Giannis focusing more on rim protection (1.2 BPG) or conserving energy on a Bucks roster dealing with injuries.

    4. Three-Point Shooting

    2024-25: 0.3 3PM, 25.9% 3P%
    Giannis has never been a prolific three-point shooter, but his 2024-25 numbers were particularly low:

    • Three-Point Makes (3PM):
      • 2023-24: 0.5 3PM
      • 2022-23: 0.7 3PM
      • 2021-22: 1.1 3PM
      • 2020-21: 1.1 3PM
      • 2019-20: 1.4 3PM
      His 0.3 three-pointers made per game in 2024-25 was the lowest since 2018-19 (0.2 3PM).
    • Three-Point Percentage (3P%):
      • 2023-24: 27.4%2022-23: 27.5%2021-22: 29.3%2020-21: 30.3%2019-20: 30.4%
      His 25.9% three-point shooting was the worst since 2017-18 (25.0%). This regression reflects a continued reluctance to shoot from beyond the arc, with only 1.1 three-point attempts per game in 2024-25. It is almost the worse 3pt shooting percentage in NBA history for a single season.

    5. Minutes Per Game (MPG)

    2024-25: 34.2 MPG
    Giannis played fewer minutes per game in 2024-25 than in most recent seasons:

    • 2023-24: 35.2 MPG
    • 2022-23: 34.2 MPG (tied with 2024-25)
    • 2021-22: 36.8 MPG
    • 2020-21: 33.0 MPG
    • 2019-20: 30.4 MPG

    The 34.2 MPG matches his 2022-23 figure but is lower than 2023-24 and 2021-22. This reduction could be due to load management, injuries to teammates like Lillard, or coaching decisions under Doc Rivers.

    Other stats

    1. Offensive Rebounds Per Game (ORPG) 2024-25: 2.7 ORPG

    Giannis’ offensive rebounding, a key component of his ability to generate second-chance points, saw a decline in 2024-25:

    2023-24: 2.9 ORPG 2022-23: 2.2 ORPG 2021-22: 2.0 ORPG 2020-21: 1.6 ORPG 2019-20: 2.1 ORPG His 2.7 offensive rebounds per game in 2024-25 were lower than his 2023-24 mark (2.9 ORPG) but higher than the four preceding seasons. The slight drop from 2023-24 could be due to a shift in role, with Giannis focusing more on playmaking (6.5 APG) or playing alongside other rebounders like Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma, reducing his opportunities on the offensive glass.

    2. Defensive Rebounds Per Game (DRPG) 2024-25: 9.2 DRPG

    Giannis’ defensive rebounding, which contributes to his league-leading total rebounds, also dipped slightly:

    2023-24: 9.6 DRPG 2022-23: 9.6 DRPG 2021-22: 9.9 DRPG 2020-21: 9.4 DRPG 2019-20: 11.4 DRPG His 9.2 defensive rebounds per game in 2024-25 were lower than every season since 2019-20. This decline may reflect increased competition for rebounds within the Bucks’ lineup or a strategic emphasis on transitioning quickly to offense rather than securing every defensive board.

    3. Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (AST/TOV) 2024-25: 1.91 AST/TOV (6.5 APG, 3.4 TOV)

    Giannis’ assist-to-turnover ratio in 2024-25 was worse than several prior seasons. He simply screws up more and more:

    2023-24: 1.92 (6.5 APG, 3.4 TOV) 2022-23: 1.44 (5.7 APG, 3.9 TOV) 2021-22: 1.75 (5.8 APG, 3.3 TOV) 2020-21: 2.07 (5.9 APG, 2.8 TOV) 2019-20: 1.61 (5.6 APG, 3.7 TOV) The 2024-25 AST/TOV ratio of 1.91 was slightly worse than 2023-24 (1.92) and significantly lower than 2020-21 (2.07). While Giannis maintained a high assist average (6.5 APG), his turnovers remained consistent at 3.4 per game, suggesting that his increased ball-handling responsibilities didn’t translate to better ball security compared to his peak efficiency in 2020-21.

    4. Player Efficiency Rating (PER) 2024-25: Estimated 28.0 PER

    Player Efficiency Rating (PER) measures a player’s per-minute productivity, normalised to a league average of 15.0. Giannis’ PER in 2024-25 was lower than several prior seasons:

    2023-24: 29.8 2022-23: 29.0 2021-22: 32.1 (career high) 2020-21: 29.2 2019-20: 31.9 His estimated 28.0 PER in 2024-25 (based on Basketball-Reference trends) was lower than four of the past five seasons, with only 2022-23 (29.0) being closer. This dip reflects slight regressions in scoring efficiency, turnovers, and defensive metrics like steals, though he remained among the league’s top performers.

    5. True Shooting Percentage (TS%) 2024-25: 59.8% TS%

    True Shooting Percentage accounts for field goals, three-pointers, and free throws to measure overall shooting efficiency. Giannis’ TS% in 2024-25 was:

    2023-24: 61.3% 2022-23: 60.5% 2021-22: 63.3% 2020-21: 61.7% 2019-20: 61.3% His 59.8% TS% in 2024-25 was the lowest since 2018-19 (59.7%) and worse than all five previous seasons. This decline is largely attributable to his poor free-throw shooting (65.8%) and reduced three-point accuracy (25.9%), which dragged down his overall efficiency despite a solid 55.7% FG%. Seeing as he mainly dunked this season, this drop is very worrying.

    6. Win Shares Per 48 Minutes (WS/48) 2024-25: Estimated 0.220 WS/48

    Win Shares Per 48 Minutes measures a player’s contribution to team wins, normalised per 48 minutes. Giannis’ WS/48 in 2024-25 was:

    2023-24: 0.233 2022-23: 0.208 2021-22: 0.281 2020-21: 0.260 2019-20: 0.279 His estimated 0.220 WS/48 in 2024-25 was lower than four of the past five seasons, surpassing only 2022-23. This drop reflects declines in offensive efficiency (e.g., TS%) and defensive contributions (e.g., steals).

    7. Box Plus/Minus (BPM) 2024-25: Estimated 8.5 BPM

    Box Plus/Minus estimates a player’s contribution to team performance per 100 possessions. Giannis’ BPM in 2024-25 was:

    2023-24: 8.8 2022-23: 8.6 2021-22: 11.8 2020-21: 9.2 2019-20: 11.1 His estimated 8.5 BPM in 2024-25 was lower than four of the past five seasons, with only 2022-23 (8.6) being comparable. This slight decline aligns with reduced efficiency (TS%, PER) and defensive metrics (SPG, DRPG), though he remained a top-tier contributor.

    Yes, Giannis is past his prime and not improving

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024-25 regular season featured important and meaningful statistical regressions. He posted lower numbers in points (compared to 2022-23), free-throw attempts and percentage, steals, field goal attempts, three-point shooting, and minutes played compared to various prior seasons. As Giannis is past his prime at age 30, these declines signal a meaningful downward trend, yet another reason no teams are beating down the door for trades.

    Sources: Basketball-Reference.com, ESPN.com, NBA.com, RotoWire.com, Proballers.com, LandOfBasketball.com, Yahoo Sports, and posts on X. All stats are accurate as of April 30, 2025.

  • Where is Giannis mid range? (He never had one)

    Where is Giannis mid range? (He never had one)

    During the regular season, in a stretch of easy games, the myth emerged that Giannis had “developed a

    mid range shot”. Various crazy statistics flew around. Of course as the

    season ended he regressed to his normal average. Under pressure Giannis has no mid range, we had already seen it in harder match ups in the regular season.

    Here are the official NBA.com statistics from the playoffs. Giannis is nowhere to be seen even in 5-9 feet shooting distance. He is nowhere to be seen in the next mid range distance , 10-14ft. Neither in volume, nor in percentage of successful shots.

    Giannis is a one trick pony and always has been, in fact he has regressed in many ways this season.

    Oh but wait, what about his favourite mid range shots? He has three very specific places he can make those, when defences don’t run him off them at least. Oh , well done Giannis, you make ONE shot per game from there on average in the playoffs, albeit with one of the lowest percentages among your peers!

    And of course 20-24 ft is also a mid range shot, it’s not yet a 3. And of course Giannis never had anything at that distance and he hasn’t even tried in the playoffs. Just for any fools still believing the Giannis mid range myth, here are the NBA leaders today (28/4/2025) as per nba.com for that distance too.

    Also, for those of you who only watch highlights and choose to forget the overall picture, here are the detailed shot

    charts. For example Game 1 you can see him fail from 3 and score 2 out of 5 from mid range.

    And it gets worse of course, here is game 2:

    The Regular-Season Hype

    His improvement in the regular season hype was attributed to dedicated off season work in Greece, where Giannis trained with a skills coach to refine his jump shot. ESPN detailed how he focused on mid-range shots to reduce physical wear from constant rim attacks, aiming to extend his career. His performance in the 2024 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament, where he reportedly went 6-for-8 from mid-range against Croatia, further fuelled the narrative. The Bucks’ coaching staff, led by Doc Rivers, emphasised Giannis operating from the elbows, turning him into an “offensive nexus” with a polished jumper.

    The regular season provided plenty of highlight-reel moments: a 19-foot pull-up against Aaron Gordon, a fadeaway from the baseline, or a jumper from the nail in clutch situations. These plays led to bold claims that Giannis’ mid-range game was transforming the Bucks into title contenders, making him “unstoppable” by neutralizing defensive walls in the paint. But regular-season stats can be misleading, especially when games against lottery-bound teams or fatigued opponents inflate shooting percentages.

    The Playoff Disappearance

    When the playoffs roll around, the game changes. Defenses tighten, schemes adjust, and stars face relentless pressure. For Giannis, the mid-range jumper that sparkled in the regular season has consistently dimmed in the postseason. In the 2024-25 playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, Giannis posted gaudy stat lines—37 points, 12 rebounds in Game 3; 34 points, 18 rebounds in Game 2; 36 points, 12 rebounds in Game 1—but a deeper dive reveals a glaring absence of mid-range attempts.

    Social media chatter from fans, like a post on X noting Giannis took only one mid-range shot in a playoff game, underscores the trend: when the pressure mounts, Giannis reverts to his bread-and-butter, bullying his way to the rim. Playoff defenses, aware of his dominance in the paint, are content to let him take mid-range shots, knowing his efficiency drops under scrutiny. Unlike the regular season, where he faced softer coverages or mismatched defenders, playoff teams build walls, sag off, and dare him to shoot. The result? Giannis abandons the mid-range, opting for high-percentage drives or free throws.

    Historical playoff data supports this. In the 2021 championship run, Giannis leaned heavily on his rim attacks and free throws, with mid-range shots playing a minor role. His iconic 50-point Finals closeout game featured dunks, layups, and 17-of-19 free throws, not pull-up jumpers. Recent playoffs show similar patterns: when defenses lock in, Giannis’ mid-range attempts dwindle, and his shooting percentage from that range plummets compared to the regular season’s 47.8%. The “elite mid-range shooter” narrative crumbles under postseason pressure.

    Why the Disconnect?

    Several factors explain why Giannis’ mid-range game thrives in the regular season but falters in the playoffs:

    1. Defensive Intensity: Regular-season games often feature inconsistent effort from rebuilding teams or players coasting through the schedule. Playoff defenses, however, are laser-focused, with top-tier rim protectors and help defenders clogging the paint, forcing Giannis to settle for jumpers he’s less comfortable taking under pressure.
    2. Game Planning: Playoff teams scout Giannis meticulously, conceding mid-range shots to keep him away from the rim. A 45% mid-range jumper, while respectable, is far less threatening than his 60%+ efficiency at the basket. Giannis, aware of this, prioritizes drives to maximize efficiency.
    3. Physical Toll: Giannis himself has said mid-range shots reduce wear on his body, a strategy for career longevity. But in the playoffs, where every possession counts, he leans on his physical dominance, absorbing contact to draw fouls or finish through traffic, sidelining the jumper.
    4. Sample Size and Context: Regular-season mid-range stats can be skewed by small sample sizes or favorable matchups. A hot streak against teams like the Wizards or Pistons doesn’t translate to success against playoff-caliber defenses like Miami or Boston.

    The Myth’s Impact

    The overhyping of Giannis’ mid-range game creates unrealistic expectations. Fans and analysts touting his “evolution” overlook how his dominance has always stemmed from paint scoring, playmaking, and defense—not jump shooting. The Bucks’ 2021 title didn’t hinge on mid-range mastery; it came from Giannis’ relentless rim pressure and clutch free-throw shooting. Projecting him as a Kevin Durant-esque shooter ignores his core strengths and sets a false narrative for playoff success.

    So he can’t improve?

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s mid-range improvement is a compelling story, but it’s largely a regular-season phenomenon that fades in the playoffs. The data, from his limited mid-range attempts in high-stakes games to fan observations of his rim-focused approach, paints a clear picture: the jumper is a supplementary tool, not a game-changer. Giannis remains a force of nature, but his path to another title lies in leveraging his athleticism and paint dominance, not in chasing a mid-range mirage. As the Bucks chase playoff glory, it’s time to let the myth of Giannis’ mid-range mastery rest.

    (For anyone still wanting to discuss the matter, here is Giannis’ shot chart for Game 4)

  • 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.

  • Giannis and you

    Giannis and you

    Some sites give vague data regarding player popularity

    All this shows us is that a lot of people search for LeBron James statistics. We can however cross check and see that the Warriors are more popular as a team for searches which makes it more impressive.

    Giannis is in the same position as the Bucks, ie, nothing special. They also give us an idea what people search for in relation to Giannis, ie Related Searches:
    Giannis Antetokounmpo career 40+ point gamelog
    When was Giannis Antetokounmpo drafted?
    Giannis Antetokounmpo stats in the 2017 playoffs

    Here is the Google Insights view of interest in Giannis over time globally, peaking for the championship run, otherwise pretty regular around the playoffs and the trade talks every year.

    And yes, it’s mainly Greeks looking for information about Giannis:

    In Greece in particular it is interesting that we have a different swell in searches focused around whether or not he will join the national basketball team:

    Also interestingly, it is mainly richer suburbs of Athens that are looking for Giannis related info:

    It also quickly becomes

    apparent that Greeks really get excited and look for how to vote for him for the All Star voting process.

    Related queries are related to his height, his house and his siblings too: αδερφια αντετοκουμπο
    αντετοκούνμπο υψοσ
    giannis antetokounmpo nba vote
    antetokounmpo mvp
    σπιτι αντετοκουμπο
    αδερφια αντετοκούνμπο
    γαμοσ αντετοκουμπο mariah injury francis φρανσις παιδιά

    Of course to put things into perspective, here is a geographical breakdown by region compared to Jokic (in red) Globally Jokic is more popular, here is a breakdown of interest over time:

    So no, Giannis is nowhere near the most popular NBA player on the planet. If anything the interest is fading.

  • Sofascore does Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Sofascore does Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Here is the summary and what we can learn from it according to the popular stat site. Firstly that Giannis fans are often more impressed by stats than wins obviously!

    For starters the most common injury report for Giannis is this, “day to day”. The SofaScore summary is pretty constant since it doesn’t measure that much really but it was interesting

    to see Giannis on a low day (according to Sofascore) was against the Wizards. But of course any way you look at his career stats, it is clear that Giannis is way past his prime. 3point scoring lowest ever, free throws falling, plus minus also worse than last season.

    The season shot chart heat map shows what we have written about so many times. Giannis has no “mid range”, he has 3-4 favourite spots from which he scores when playing easy games. His “made” chart is clearly biased

    towards the left side only. And when defences send him to the right he takes the bait, shoots it

    and misses. Pretty big problem come playoff time!

    It is also rather worrying in terms of how the hell he is shooting. OK, he has no 3point (those grey areas) bu he misses worse slap bang in the middle too! And then in the paint from the right and from 3 to the left. A highly unusual chart of a player that started basketball late in life and simply cannot develop shooting technique despite more than a decade in the NBA.

    Sofascore also has the comparison tool, just for anyone crazy enough to still have Giannis in the MVP discussion, it’s not even close. Jokic leads in everything by an enormous margin as Sofascore shows clearly:

    So by all means use Sofascore to check out Giannis stats, but try to keep a grip on reality…