The Block. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Ten NBA All-Stars have missed at least one game this postseason to set a dreaded league record, but Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting an unforeseen twist on that sad story with his ridiculous production in the NBA Finals AFTER sustaining a hyperextended left knee.
Back-to-back games with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds, followed by his game-turning rejection at the rim of the Suns’ Deandre Ayton in Game 4 crunch time, have me wondering: After years of focus on the holes in his game, has Giannis made you look at him differently with the way he has played in these Finals on one healthy leg?
Giannis has not shy away from the free throw line, he has been aggressive going to the rim without getting scared of being sent to de ft line. That is mental toughness and is something he has worked very well. His defense has improved each series. This Giannis is far better version compared to previous playoffs years
Honestly to start this play offs I was over him. Love his story but after winning two MVPs and then quickly failing in the playoffs, plus his struggles free throw shooting, I was disenchanted. There are playoff players and regular season players (for instance, Harden) and he was just a regular season player.
Now I can hardly remember that stuff and am hoping he keeps this up and wins it all.
I think its less a case of changing how I see him (a problem for any team or individual matched up against him) and more cementing his place as a back to back MVP. A lot of talk over the past few years about how some historical Big's would run in the modern game and the Freak shows how alot of them would've adapted their play style to dominate. And I like that I have more than enough time to make a coffee or a meal when he's at the FT line... haha
Giannis was already a special player, but, yeah, fighting through injury to do this, under pressure, elevates his standing in my book (as does making a Finals for CP3,; Paul was obviously an all-time great, but, fair or not, 'no postseason success' would have been a serious knock on his legacy without this season)
If anything, I think his performance/dominance should affect the way the Bucks look at him, and more specifically, his fit and role going forward. Much has been made of his (perhaps misguided) proclivity for 3s, but I think Coach Bud should dial up heaps and heaps of Heat tape in the offseason, to inject bits and pieces of their Bam-centric offense into their attack. Think about it: Giannis is a muscle-bound menace who stands as tall as most centers, but who can also handle the ball and initiate. Sounds a lot like a supercharged Bam, right? Given the freedom to control things from the elbows and dive repeatedly, surrounded by ace shooters, will only further unlock this Bucks offense, and Giannis, and help both achieve their full potential. Planting him on the block is all well and good, and will most likely result in a double and a resulting pass-pass-pass sequence that likely leads to an open shot from behind the arc, but defenses are so advanced in their ability to help and recover today, while the post-up has gone the way of the Blackberry (sorry Stein) over the last 10 years, that I think it's substantially more effective to place him in a scheme that capitalizes on his unique combination of size, dexterity, passing, ball-handling and sheer, unvarnished power.
What I like is he's not phased by errors. Air-ball a three-pointer or free throw? No problem. He jacks another three next possession in game four (even if that is not the shot he ideally should take) or continues attacking the rim. Mistakes and misses do not alter or impact how he plays, as Giannis being aggressive and confident is the key to the Bucks winning the series. His mindset is so different then, say, Simmons, who refuses to shoot when he misses -see the series vs Atlanta and the passed up dunk, which Joel E called the turning point!
What impressed me about Giannis in addition to the points already mentioned here is his vision to find the open man, and rotate the ball, and the ability to deliver a timely pass, especially in key moments like L2M. Critical to learn that balance of when to dominate along with making the right play.
He has. He's redeeming himself for his & the Bucks previous playoff meltdowns. He'll be the runaway MVP. If the Bucks win the series. Off topic but Middleton has redeemed himself as well.
I've come to believe that there's too much focus on what Giannis can't do, rather than what he routinely can. Does anyone complain Steph Curry isn't a rim protector?
I think (think!) the criticism has been more levied at his individual shortcomings than his ability to bring them deep. But as you said, what kind of shortcomings can a two-time MVP and DPOY really have?
Two big ifs: winning a title within the next week and continuing to play at his current level. But if both happen, surely he’s in the conversation to be the GOAT in the Bucks’ 53-year history. As Bucks the Big O’s best years were behind him and Kareem’s were still to come as a Laker. Giannis’ prime is right now, with this franchise.
Important points. Two or three games left in this series that still change things. With a title he's the Bucks' GOAT because he committed long term. Signing that extension was priceless for this franchise.
He's still got the same holes. But I focus less on them when he's got the "I know I can do whatever I want so I'm gonna do it" mentality. I also didn't know he had this kind of playmaking ability — it's more than just collapsing the paint and kicking out.
Yes, for me, he's definitely ascended into highest echelon of the league (which is saying something after already winning two MVPs). I feel like he used to be playing checkers, but given his physical skills, his version of checkers was pretty phenomenal, until he ran into great defensives deep in the playoffs; now, he seems to have figured out how to play chess, understanding how and when to best utilize his gifts. I get the sense watching him that he's not thinking, "Gee, I hope this will work or that will work"; instead, it seems like he's thinking "If I get here, and do this, I KNOW it will work." It's amazing to watch, especially since his opponents seem genuinely terrified of what he can do.
Giannis' background in Europe is different from the AAU background of many others. He is comfortable enough in his role that he knows he is the best player on the team, but willing and happy to allow Middleton to be the "closer." He understands what "team" is all about and his ego is never going to be a problem. I see a lot of Hakeem Olajuwon in his makeup and his game. A coach's "Dream."
This Bucks team definitely has Giannis's DNA in them. All postseason, no matter how bad things are going (a tough whistle, bad shooting luck, etc) - they just continue to play hard - rarely complain and continue to fight.
He has definitely (reluctantly) convinced me that he is capable of being the best player on a championship team. There wasn't much we had seen to this point that suggested that in the playoffs but he has been incredible.
The mental toughness he’s shown, not just in dealing with the injury, but to persevere through the free throw and shooting issues and keeping on has been impressive. And for a team a lot of people seem to think is “stupid” the Bucks have proven to be awfully tough and pliable as well.
I do think they made it harder on themselves than necessary in previous rounds, but you're spot on in that they've been so resistant and malleable when their backs are against the wall.
Giannis come from absolutely nothing back home in Greece and the way he has really put the team on his shoulders has been an incredible display is just part of his DNA. But he has ratcheted up his play these last few games and that 2xMVP understands that he can also be a champ. Kol HaKavod.
I've always thought he was an incredible player, but his single-minded willing of the Bucks through a few difficult games has definitely taken my opinion of him up a level.
Yeah, I think it's fair to say he's taking THE leap. He was already a superstar, but it seems he's easing his way into borderline legend. We'll see if he closes it out.
Giannis has not shy away from the free throw line, he has been aggressive going to the rim without getting scared of being sent to de ft line. That is mental toughness and is something he has worked very well. His defense has improved each series. This Giannis is far better version compared to previous playoffs years
Honestly to start this play offs I was over him. Love his story but after winning two MVPs and then quickly failing in the playoffs, plus his struggles free throw shooting, I was disenchanted. There are playoff players and regular season players (for instance, Harden) and he was just a regular season player.
Now I can hardly remember that stuff and am hoping he keeps this up and wins it all.
I think its less a case of changing how I see him (a problem for any team or individual matched up against him) and more cementing his place as a back to back MVP. A lot of talk over the past few years about how some historical Big's would run in the modern game and the Freak shows how alot of them would've adapted their play style to dominate. And I like that I have more than enough time to make a coffee or a meal when he's at the FT line... haha
Giannis was already a special player, but, yeah, fighting through injury to do this, under pressure, elevates his standing in my book (as does making a Finals for CP3,; Paul was obviously an all-time great, but, fair or not, 'no postseason success' would have been a serious knock on his legacy without this season)
If anything, I think his performance/dominance should affect the way the Bucks look at him, and more specifically, his fit and role going forward. Much has been made of his (perhaps misguided) proclivity for 3s, but I think Coach Bud should dial up heaps and heaps of Heat tape in the offseason, to inject bits and pieces of their Bam-centric offense into their attack. Think about it: Giannis is a muscle-bound menace who stands as tall as most centers, but who can also handle the ball and initiate. Sounds a lot like a supercharged Bam, right? Given the freedom to control things from the elbows and dive repeatedly, surrounded by ace shooters, will only further unlock this Bucks offense, and Giannis, and help both achieve their full potential. Planting him on the block is all well and good, and will most likely result in a double and a resulting pass-pass-pass sequence that likely leads to an open shot from behind the arc, but defenses are so advanced in their ability to help and recover today, while the post-up has gone the way of the Blackberry (sorry Stein) over the last 10 years, that I think it's substantially more effective to place him in a scheme that capitalizes on his unique combination of size, dexterity, passing, ball-handling and sheer, unvarnished power.
BlackBerry comment HURTS!
What I like is he's not phased by errors. Air-ball a three-pointer or free throw? No problem. He jacks another three next possession in game four (even if that is not the shot he ideally should take) or continues attacking the rim. Mistakes and misses do not alter or impact how he plays, as Giannis being aggressive and confident is the key to the Bucks winning the series. His mindset is so different then, say, Simmons, who refuses to shoot when he misses -see the series vs Atlanta and the passed up dunk, which Joel E called the turning point!
What impressed me about Giannis in addition to the points already mentioned here is his vision to find the open man, and rotate the ball, and the ability to deliver a timely pass, especially in key moments like L2M. Critical to learn that balance of when to dominate along with making the right play.
He has. He's redeeming himself for his & the Bucks previous playoff meltdowns. He'll be the runaway MVP. If the Bucks win the series. Off topic but Middleton has redeemed himself as well.
I've come to believe that there's too much focus on what Giannis can't do, rather than what he routinely can. Does anyone complain Steph Curry isn't a rim protector?
Nope. Two-time MVP doing MVP stuff. Basketball fans put too much emphasis on advancing deep in the playoffs, forgetting that it is a team game.
I think (think!) the criticism has been more levied at his individual shortcomings than his ability to bring them deep. But as you said, what kind of shortcomings can a two-time MVP and DPOY really have?
Two big ifs: winning a title within the next week and continuing to play at his current level. But if both happen, surely he’s in the conversation to be the GOAT in the Bucks’ 53-year history. As Bucks the Big O’s best years were behind him and Kareem’s were still to come as a Laker. Giannis’ prime is right now, with this franchise.
Important points. Two or three games left in this series that still change things. With a title he's the Bucks' GOAT because he committed long term. Signing that extension was priceless for this franchise.
He's still got the same holes. But I focus less on them when he's got the "I know I can do whatever I want so I'm gonna do it" mentality. I also didn't know he had this kind of playmaking ability — it's more than just collapsing the paint and kicking out.
Playmaking. Defense. The ability to NOT let his FT woes deter him from attacking. Special player.
I know they are miles apart but there's so many similarities on both ends — do you think Ben Simmons can learn from the way Giannis has developed?
Yes, for me, he's definitely ascended into highest echelon of the league (which is saying something after already winning two MVPs). I feel like he used to be playing checkers, but given his physical skills, his version of checkers was pretty phenomenal, until he ran into great defensives deep in the playoffs; now, he seems to have figured out how to play chess, understanding how and when to best utilize his gifts. I get the sense watching him that he's not thinking, "Gee, I hope this will work or that will work"; instead, it seems like he's thinking "If I get here, and do this, I KNOW it will work." It's amazing to watch, especially since his opponents seem genuinely terrified of what he can do.
Giannis' background in Europe is different from the AAU background of many others. He is comfortable enough in his role that he knows he is the best player on the team, but willing and happy to allow Middleton to be the "closer." He understands what "team" is all about and his ego is never going to be a problem. I see a lot of Hakeem Olajuwon in his makeup and his game. A coach's "Dream."
This Bucks team definitely has Giannis's DNA in them. All postseason, no matter how bad things are going (a tough whistle, bad shooting luck, etc) - they just continue to play hard - rarely complain and continue to fight.
He has definitely (reluctantly) convinced me that he is capable of being the best player on a championship team. There wasn't much we had seen to this point that suggested that in the playoffs but he has been incredible.
Good way to put it. I'm not sure he was widely regarded in that manner before this series.
Should clarify that lead offensive threat makes more sense than best player because of the value that he brings on the defensive end.
The mental toughness he’s shown, not just in dealing with the injury, but to persevere through the free throw and shooting issues and keeping on has been impressive. And for a team a lot of people seem to think is “stupid” the Bucks have proven to be awfully tough and pliable as well.
I do think they made it harder on themselves than necessary in previous rounds, but you're spot on in that they've been so resistant and malleable when their backs are against the wall.
Giannis come from absolutely nothing back home in Greece and the way he has really put the team on his shoulders has been an incredible display is just part of his DNA. But he has ratcheted up his play these last few games and that 2xMVP understands that he can also be a champ. Kol HaKavod.
You also have to take into account that he finally has teammates who are at the expected level
I've always thought he was an incredible player, but his single-minded willing of the Bucks through a few difficult games has definitely taken my opinion of him up a level.
I also think the left knee is still bothering him more than he lets on. Just an incredible Finals from Giannis to this point.
That's the other thing too, it's amazing what he's been able to do despite an injury I imagine we will hear was worse after the series is over
He hasn't really changed my mind–but that's only because I've already held him in especially high regard.
I share that opinion AND I think he's gone up a notch or three,
Yeah, I think it's fair to say he's taking THE leap. He was already a superstar, but it seems he's easing his way into borderline legend. We'll see if he closes it out.
That's true, too. Lots of series left,.