Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokoumpo is one of the most unique players in the NBA. His style of play is one no one else can replicate with his rare blend of size and athleticism. He is capable of playing several roles for the Bucks, as he can facilitate their offense as capable as being the recipient of passes from Damian Lillard.
For Antetokounmpo to get to this point, he has had to put in a lot of hard work. He looks nothing like the teenager who the Bucks drafted 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. Since then, he has put on a considerable amount of muscle and continued growing taller.
An imposing figure at 6’11”, the only thing missing from his arsenal is a jump shot. In his career, Antetokounmpo shoots 28.5 percent from 3-point range and 70.3 percent from the foul line. Teams can get away with daring him to shoot the ball now, but if he ever figures out a jumper, he would be the most unstoppable player in the NBA.
Interestingly enough, for how much work that Antetokounmpo puts into his craft, virtually all of it comes in the gym. During NBA All-Star Weekend, he admitted that he doesn’t watch much basketball at all, leaving him blind going into matchups.
“I just, in general, do not watch basketball,” Antetokounmpo said. “So, stats, highlights, how people play, I have no idea, and I love it. I love it when I go to the game and have no idea who I’m playing and what they do.”
That is an interesting admission to make, as Antetokounmpo finds enjoyment in facing challenges on the court. Not getting wrapped up in the numbers could be a tactical decision on his part, as he just plays off of feelings and instincts instead of relying on numbers and tendencies.
To this point, that approach has worked well for Antetokounmpo. He is an eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA member and two-time MVP award winner. The Bucks have won one ring with him on the team and as long as he continues playing at this level, they should be contenders for more in the future.
More must-reads: