Greek Freak Analyzed

Tag: training

  • Giannis Can’t Play Like Carmelo Anthony

    Giannis Can’t Play Like Carmelo Anthony

    In the pantheon of NBA greats, few players embody offensive versatility quite like Carmelo Anthony. Known for his silky mid-range game, deadly jab steps, and isolation scoring prowess, Melo was a nightmare matchup for defenders throughout his career. On the other hand, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, has built his Hall-of-Fame trajectory on sheer athletic dominance—barreling to the rim with eurosteps, thunderous dunks, and relentless drives. While Giannis has expressed interest in training with retired legends like Melo to expand his arsenal, the reality is stark: he simply can’t replicate Anthony’s style. Over a decade in the league, Giannis has shown minimal evolution in key offensive skills, adding precious few tools while regressing in others.

    The Fundamental Clash of Styles: Athleticism vs. Finesse

    Carmelo Anthony’s game was a masterclass in offensive craftsmanship. He excelled in the mid-range, where he consistently shot around 35-36% from 10-16 feet in his prime years, using footwork, pump fakes, and pull-up jumpers to create space. His three-point shooting peaked at over 40% in seasons like 2013-14, and he maintained a free-throw percentage often above 80%, making him a reliable closer in crunch time. Melo’s assists hovered around 2-4 per game, but his value lay in self-creation—iso plays where he could dismantle defenses one-on-one without needing elite speed or vertical leap.

    Contrast that with Giannis. From his rookie year in 2013-14, where he averaged just 6.8 points on 41.4% shooting, his game has always centered on physical gifts: length, speed, and power. He thrives at the rim, converting over 78% of attempts there in recent seasons, often via straight-line drives or transition buckets. But this reliance on athleticism limits him in half-court sets against packed defenses. Unlike Melo, Giannis lacks the refined footwork for jab-step pull-ups or the touch for consistent mid-range fadeaways. His career three-point percentage sits inconsistently low, and he rarely attempts the kind of contested jumpers that defined Anthony’s scoring. Even as Giannis has voiced admiration for Melo—recently stating he wants to train with him because “I don’t like working with players who are playing right now”—the body types and ingrained habits make emulation improbable. Giannis is a 7-foot freight train; Melo was a 6’8” surgeon with the ball.

    Giannis’ Stunted Development: Incremental Gains, Minimal Additions

    Giannis entered the NBA as a raw, skinny prospect from Greece, with scouts praising his potential but noting his lack of polish. Over 12 seasons, he’s transformed into a two-time MVP and champion, but a closer look at his stats reveals a player who has leaned heavily on his natural tools rather than building a diverse skill set.

    • Scoring Efficiency at the Rim: This is where Giannis has shone, improving his field goal percentage from 41.4% as a rookie to a career-high 61.1% in 2023-24. His points per game ballooned to 30.4 in 2024-25, but this growth stems from higher usage (up to 35.2%) and better team spacing, not new moves. He’s still primarily a slasher, with over 70% of his shots coming within 10 feet of the basket in most seasons.
    • Playmaking: He hasn’t developed the off-ball screening or spot-up shooting that could make him a true offensive hub like LeBron James.
    • Limited Perimeter Expansion: Giannis has attempted more threes over time (up to 4-5 per game), but his accuracy hasn’t followed. After a decent 34.7% in his rookie year (on low volume), it’s plummeted to 22.2% in 2024-25. Mid-range shots? Virtually absent from his repertoire, unlike Melo’s bread-and-butter. Analyses of his progression highlight this stagnation: while he’s added muscle and confidence, core skills like ball-handling in tight spaces or off-dribble shooting remain underdeveloped.

    Expert takes echo this. Discussions on his growth mindset praise his work ethic, but they often circle back to the same traits: obsession with the game and physical dominance, not technical refinement. One analysis notes he’s “not the most skilled,” relying on discipline over innate finesse. In essence, Giannis has polished his strengths but added few new weapons, making his game predictable in playoffs where athletic edges are neutralized.

    Regressions That Highlight the Plateau

    Worse still, Giannis has backslid in areas that could have diversified his attack, further distancing him from a Melo-like versatility.

    • Free-Throw Shooting: A glaring weakness. Peaking at 77.0% in 2016-17, it regressed to a dismal 61.7% in 2024-25—worse than his rookie 68.3%. This not only hurts in close games but discourages aggressive drives, as hacks become a viable strategy. Melo, by comparison, rarely dipped below 75%, maintaining clutch reliability.
    • Three-Point Regression: From sporadic highs around 30%, it’s tanked to sub-25% in recent seasons, reducing his spacing threat. Defenses sag off him, clogging the paint and limiting his drives—the very core of his game.
    • Overall True Shooting: While it peaked at 64.9% in 2023-24, it dipped to 62.5% the next year amid these shooting woes. Rebounding has stayed elite (around 11-13 per game), but that’s another athletic staple, not a learned skill.

    Social media and forums buzz with similar observations: while fans laud his passing as “underrated,” broader takes question if his development has plateaued, with one post calling him “one of the best development stories” but implicitly noting it’s more about physical maturation than skill acquisition.

    Why Training with Melo Won’t Bridge the Gap

    At 30 years old (turning 31 in December 2025) fundamental changes are tough. Melo himself responded enthusiastically to Giannis’ interest, praising his “student” mindset and offering to mentor. Yet, absorbing Melo’s jab-step mastery or mid-range touch requires years of repetition Giannis hasn’t invested. His body—built for explosion, not subtlety—doesn’t lend itself to Melo’s deliberate pacing. Plus, with regressions in shooting mechanics, adding finesse now feels like patching a sinking ship rather than rebuilding it.

    Analyses suggest Giannis thrives by amplifying his gifts, not reinventing them. Attempting a Melo transformation could dilute what makes him special: that unstoppable force to the basket. As one veteran coach might say, “A—holes don’t get better”—implying ego can stall growth, but in Giannis’ case, it’s more about path dependency.

    Giannis’ inability to play like Carmelo Anthony underscores a career of limited skill expansion. He has regressed in shooting reliability, leaving his game one-dimensional compared to Melo’s multifaceted scoring. As the NBA evolves toward spacing and versatility, Giannis’ stagnation could cap his legacy unless he defies the odds. For now, the Greek Freak remains a force of nature—not a craftsman like Melo. And his lack of development is showing in comparisons with younger more capable players that can do it all. Just because Giannis happened to see some old YouTube clips of Melo one night recently doesn’t mean he can emulate anything at all.

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Summer Activities and why they lead to Stagnation

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Summer Activities and why they lead to Stagnation

    Each summer, as the NBA season winds down, fans and analysts turn their attention to what players like Giannis do during the off season. For Antetokounmpo, the summer is a blend of international competition, family time, philanthropy, and targeted training. However, a narrative persists that Giannis doesn’t significantly improve his game during these months.

    A History of Giannis’s Summer Activities

    Early Career (2013–2016): Building the Foundation

    In his early NBA years, Giannis was a raw prospect, drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013. His summers were focused on adapting to the NBA’s physicality and pace. During this period, he spent significant time in the gym, working on his strength and conditioning to transform his lanky 6’9” frame into the 6’11” powerhouse he is today. Regarding physical strength nobody can really complain about Giannis, the problem is with his skillset.

    • 2013–2014: As a rookie, Giannis’s summer was about acclimating to the NBA. He participated in the Bucks’ training camps and worked on basic skills like ball-handling and shooting. His commitment to daily gym work—reportedly spending 5–7 hours a day—was evident, laying the groundwork for his versatility.
    • 2014–2015: Giannis represented Greece at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, averaging 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in limited minutes. This experience exposed him to high-level international competition but didn’t really lead to him enhancing his court vision and defensive instincts. He also played in the NBA Summer League, trying to refine his skills against other young prospects.
    • 2015–2016: This summer marked a pivotal shift. Bucks coach Jason Kidd began experimenting with Giannis as a point guard, a role that required him to improve his ball-handling and decision-making. He spent the off season working on these skills, which translated into a breakout 2016–17 season where he led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories. Has he improved in ball handling though? Not at an NBA elite level by any means. He is “passable” but still leads the league in travelling, palming and other violations in 2025.

    Mid-Career (2017–2020): Rising to Stardom

    As Giannis ascended to All-Star status, his summers balanced international play, NBA training, and growing off-court commitments. His work ethic remained relentless, but the focus shifted toward business aspects and less about the game.

    • 2017: After earning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, Giannis spent the summer on his passing and playmaking. He worked with coaches to counter defensive strategies like double-teaming, which teams began employing as he became a focal point of the Bucks’ offence. It is now 2025 and he doesn’t seem even now to be able to handle double teams.
    • 2018: Giannis continued to train in Milwaukee, focusing on his physicality and finishing through contact. He also engaged in charitable activities, hosting tournaments in Greece with his brothers to give back to his community. Again, outside the court he is doing great, but the targets he set for on court improvement never showed up.
    • 2019: Following his first MVP season, Giannis played in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, averaging 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. Off the court, he spent time with his family, amidst rising fame which he seems to enjoy with high profile outings to Greek jet set destinations and media appearances.
    • 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional offseason routines, but Giannis used the time to work on his midrange shooting and free-throw mechanics. Clearly none of this translated into results as 2025 was his worse free throw percentage ever in his career.

    Championship Era (2021–2023): Cementing Greatness

    After leading the Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship, Giannis’s summers became a mix of recovery, international duties, but not much targeted skill work. His global profile grew, adding media and endorsement obligations.

    • 2021: Fresh off a Finals MVP performance, Giannis dealt with a hyperextended knee injury from the playoffs. His summer focused on rehabilitation, but he still trained to maintain his conditioning. He also began working on his jump shot, aiming to address a career-long critique. After a terrible 2025 playoff performance in this respect (basically almost no mid range in the playoffs) it is clear that he can’t improve when it counts.
    • 2022: Giannis played for Greece at EuroBasket, dropping 31 points and 10 rebounds in just 20 minutes against Spain in a friendly match. He worked on his three-point shooting, going viral for hitting seven consecutive corner threes in warmups. While his in-game three-point percentage remained low (28.8% career), his form showed improvement. However 2025 marks not only his worse 3point percentage in his entire career but close to the worse 3pt percentage in a single season of anyone ever in NBA history.
    • 2023: Giannis prioritized rest and family time after another grueling season. He also engaged in philanthropy, donating to Milwaukee community centers, reflecting his commitment to his adopted city.

    Recent Years (2024–2025): Olympic Pride and Trade Rumors

    • 2024: Giannis was named Greece’s flag bearer for the Paris 2024 Olympics, a significant honour. He trained for the Olympic qualifiers, leading Greece despite getting terrible results. Off the court, he navigated trade rumours as the Bucks faced playoff disappointments, but he remained in Milwaukee.
    • 2025 (Ongoing): As of May 2025, Giannis is likely preparing for another season amid speculation about his future with the Bucks. His summer plans typically include training in Milwaukee or Greece, international competition, and family time.

    Why the Perception of Stagnation* persists*

    Giannis hasn’t improved significantly:

    • Three-Point Shooting: Giannis’s career three-point percentage is 28.4%, and he’s never shot above 31.7%. Viral videos of him hitting corner threes in warm ups raised expectations, but in-game results haven’t matched. This gap fuels criticism, though his mid range improvement suggests he’s prioritising more impactful areas.
    • Free Throws: His free-throw percentage (61.7% in 2024–25) remains a weak point. While he’s worked on his rhythm and mechanics, consistency lags, amplifying perceptions of stagnation.
    • Expectations: As a two-time MVP, Giannis faces sky-high expectations. Fans want trans formative leaps, like adding a reliable jump shot, but his dominance in other areas (driving, defence, play making) means incremental gains are less noticeable.

    Factors Limiting Perceived Improvement

    Several factors contribute to the narrative of stagnation:

    1. Summer Balance: Giannis’s summers involve international play, philanthropy, and family, which may limit dedicated skill work compared to players who focus solely on training. Yet, these activities enhance his leadership and mental resilience, which are harder to quantify.
    2. Peak Performance: At 30, Giannis is possibly past his prime. Dramatic improvements are harder to achieve when you’re already among the NBA’s best. More importantly it seems that when it counts, most teams can counter Giannis even with a single defender on him.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s training with Hakeem Olajuwon in 2023 generated buzz due to Olajuwon’s legendary status as a post-up maestro and Giannis’s expressed desire to refine his game. However this is a rare exception, Giannis doesn’t mingle with stars and seems socially unable to blend with them in order to learn. Olajuwon wasn’t really an exception:

    1. Short Duration of Training:
      The training session was brief, likely spanning just a few days. Skill development, especially for complex post moves like Olajuwon’s “Dream Shake,” requires extensive repetition and practice over weeks or months to integrate into a player’s game. Even for an elite athlete like Giannis, a short session might provide insights but not enough time to master new techniques.
    2. Giannis’s Existing Playstyle:
      Giannis’s dominance relies on his athleticism, speed, and ability to drive to the rim, often overpowering defenders. His post game, while effective, isn’t his primary weapon, and he excels in transition and face-up situations. Olajuwon’s expertise lies in low-post footwork and finesse, which may not align seamlessly with Giannis’s natural strengths. Adapting to a more finesse-based post game could require a significant shift in approach, which might not have been practical or prioritized.
    3. Limited Application in Game Context:
      Even if Giannis learned specific moves, incorporating them into NBA games is challenging. Defenses often scheme to neutralize Giannis by building “walls” to limit his drives, and his post-up opportunities are sometimes secondary. His struggles with mid-range floaters (27.9% from floater range in 2022-23) suggest a need for broader scoring versatility, but Olajuwon’s training focused on post moves, which may not address this specific weakness.
    4. Expectations vs. Reality:
      The hype around the training session, fueled by Giannis’s comments on the “48 Minutes” podcast and Olajuwon’s track record with players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, set lofty expectations. However, not all players see immediate transformations from such sessions. For example, Gilbert Arenas criticized the effectiveness of Olajuwon’s training, arguing that players like LeBron didn’t visibly adopt Olajuwon’s moves despite training with him. This suggests that the impact of such sessions can be overstated.
    5. Lack of Visible Evidence:
      While Giannis showed a post move resembling Olajuwon’s style in a preseason game against the Lakers, there’s little evidence of consistent incorporation into his regular-season play. Social media discussions, like those on Reddit, noted that Giannis’s footwork didn’t markedly improve, and some argued that Olajuwon’s fluid, coordinated style is hard for bigger, less agile players to replicate. The absence of standout post-up highlights or statistical improvements in post scoring could contribute to the perception of “no results.”
    6. External Criticism and Context:
      Gilbert Arenas’s vocal skepticism, claiming Olajuwon’s $50,000 sessions were a “cash grab” and ineffective for modern players, may have shaped public perception. While Arenas’s critique is controversial, it highlights a broader debate about the value of short, high-profile training camps versus long-term skill work. Additionally, Olajuwon’s praise for Giannis’s work ethic suggests the session was productive in intent, but intent doesn’t always translate to on-court results.

    Conclusion: The lack of “real results” likely stems from the brief nature of the training, the mismatch between Olajuwon’s finesse-based post game and Giannis’s athletic, power-driven style, and the difficulty of integrating new skills under NBA game pressure. High expectations and external critiques, like Arenas’s, further amplified the perception of underwhelming outcomes. While the session may have offered Giannis valuable lessons, translating them into consistent, observable improvements would require sustained practice and a shift in his playing style, neither of which seemed to fully materialize in the 2023-24 season.

    Why Giannis’s Approach doesn’t work

    Giannis’s summer activities reflect a holistic approach to growth. International competition sharpens his leadership and adaptability. Philanthropy and family time recharge him mentally, crucial for a player under constant pressure. His training targets specific weaknesses (mid range, passing) while maintaining his strengths (athleticism, defence). His large hands and unconventional form require extensive refinement, and he faces constant defensive pressure that limits clean looks. His physical gifts are a double-edged sword. They’re so overwhelming that he can often dominate without needing a polished outside game, reducing the urgency to overhaul his style. Also, mastering new skills under NBA scrutiny is challenging when you’re already a two-time MVP. Playoff defenses are more sophisticated, and Giannis is often double- or triple-teamed. Developing counters (e.g., consistent shooting, advanced play making) takes time, especially when opponents tailor entire game plans to stop him.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo’s summers are a blend of hard work, global representation, and personal balance. As Giannis navigates trade rumours and playoff pressures, his commitment to evolving—on his terms—ensures he’ll remain a force for years to come. He seems unable to understand how to improve his game in any significant way. Possibly he thinks he is good enough as he is. Maybe he thinks his style of game works and is self deluded in terms of evaluating just how little he really impacts games that matter. His regular season stats and personal achievements seem to be enough for his fans, his team and most of the NBA media. So why change?