” Touch down. » Tobias Harris had just converted his tap, 1.5 seconds from halftime, when Giannis Antetokounmpo made the baseline throw-in which was transformed into a “quarterback” pass towards a Brook Lopez located at the other end of the field and who was able to finish at the circle in time.
“ In fact, in the previous match, he sent another very similar one at the last second, and I escaped. This one was well targeted too. He made the exact same pass in Philadelphia. She was perfect, exactly where she was supposed to be “, testified the pivotfollowing the Bucks' big victory on the Sixers floor that evening, February 25.
This action clearly demonstrates the creative activity of the Bucks superstar this season. With more than six assists per game, he even posted his best career average in the field.
In a very closed circle
“ I'm more inclined to pass the ball and guys take shots. I think it's a combination of both. Ultimately, success requires a blend of both. I feel like lately I'm realizing that you need everyone to be good to win. I'm more inclined lately to make the right pass, and they clearly make their shots », Analyzed the interior, who had missed the triple-double for a small pass.
Reaching 10 caviars, in addition to his standards in rebounds and points, is no longer exceptional for him. With seven triple-doubles this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo has already tied his career record in this area. He is also preparing to sign his second season in a row with at least 30 points and 5 assists on average. Only Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, James Harden, Allen Iverson or Jerry West have done it more than twice in their career.
Whether in penetration or on pick-and-roll, the 29-year-old seems much more serene with the ball in hand, largely thanks to the presence of Damian Lillard, due to his 3-point threat, which opened up more room for him to maneuver. The former Blazers leader himself says he hears opposing coaches asking their players to put up the equivalent of a “wall” to dissuade Giannis from attacking the circle. A strategy against which he maneuvers better, taking fewer offensive mistakes than last year.
Example with this marvel of pass, behind the head, towards Brook Lopez at the head of the racket, after having fixed a good part of the Bulls defense.
An underestimated passer
“ The choices he makes, finding the guys in the corner, going into the paint, drawing the defense and coming out with 3-pointers, it's good for our team, it's the best version of him . When he's not just trying to dig in while they put a wall in front of him, and he's showing that confidence and making those choices, that's when we're most effective. “, judged Damian Lillard, when Doc Rivers, who seemed to discover a new aspect in the game of his flagship player, estimated that his passing level belongs to the ” elite “.
The Greek, on the basis of a 6th season in a row at 5.5 passes per match, believes to have “ always been able to pass. Coming into the league, that's what stood out to me, but there weren't a lot of televised games and a lot of people didn't pay attention to Milwaukee. That's why people see me pass now and say, 'Oh, he can pass!' I'm the best passer in Milwaukee history (editor’s note: in terms of volume, Oscar Robertson has the best average). 'Oh, he can pass!' Of course I can pass. »
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | MIL | 77 | 25 | 41.4 | 34.7 | 68.3 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 6.8 |
| 2014-15 | MIL | 81 | 31 | 49.1 | 15.9 | 74.1 | 1.2 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 12.7 |
| 2015-16 | MIL | 80 | 35 | 50.6 | 25.7 | 72.4 | 1.4 | 6.2 | 7.7 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 16.9 |
| 2016-17 | MIL | 80 | 36 | 52.1 | 27.2 | 77.0 | 1.8 | 7.0 | 8.8 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 22.9 |
| 2017-18 | MIL | 75 | 37 | 52.9 | 30.7 | 76.0 | 2.1 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 ★ | MIL | 72 | 33 | 57.8 | 25.6 | 72.9 | 2.2 | 10.3 | 12.5 | 5.9 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 27.7 |
| 2019-20 ★ | MIL | 63 | 30 | 55.3 | 30.4 | 63.3 | 2.2 | 11.4 | 13.6 | 5.6 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 29.5 |
| 2020-21 | MIL | 61 | 33 | 56.9 | 30.3 | 68.5 | 1.6 | 9.4 | 11.0 | 5.9 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 28.2 |
| 2021-22 | MIL | 67 | 33 | 55.3 | 29.3 | 72.2 | 2.0 | 9.6 | 11.6 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 29.9 |
| 2022-23 | MIL | 63 | 32 | 55.3 | 27.5 | 64.5 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 5.7 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 31.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIL | 59 | 35 | 61.9 | 30.1 | 66.1 | 2.6 | 8.7 | 11.3 | 6.3 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 30.8 |
| Total | 778 | 33 | 54.4 | 28.8 | 70.3 | 1.8 | 7.9 | 9.7 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 23.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
