You can directly attribute his dip in shooting frequency around the rim to his uptake in three-point attempts. With four defenders building a wall between Antetokounmpo and the bucket, he must look elsewhere to get his points with no resistance behind the arc he calmly pulls up and buries the shot. In order to beat the Bucks you have to impede Antetokounmpo lanes to the rim, as some of the best-coached teams constantly wall-up against him:Īs he’s bringing the ball up against the Portland Trail Blazers, they’re preparing their defense for an onslaught. That’s what’s sparked such a dramatic shift toward slowing down Antetokounmpo. Then he (or his teammates) must make just about half of his three-point attempts to justify shooting from behind the arc. Unless of course, you have a dude who’s making 74 percent of their shots around the hoop. And with the average NBA shooter capably knocking down 36-37 percent of their threes it’s more than a fair tradeoff. If a player shoots 50 percent at the rim, they only have to make a third of their shots from downtown to make it worthwhile. Now there’s a guy who looks like them, but creates for himself off the bounce? That’s next level.Ī big reason the analytics age has sparked an increase in three-point attempts is due to efficiency. That’s a percentage usually reserved for centers who only catch lobs and convert putbacks.
In 2018-19, he converted an insane 74 percent of his shots within four feet of the rim according to Cleaning the Glass. However, it’s been exponentially increased this year and it’s Antetokounmpo’s fault. Teams have been slowly ramping up the intensity since his rise to stardom began about four years ago. Giannis Antetokounmpo faces a wall against the Charlotte Hornets. To his left, Kyle Lowry was ready to rack up another steal should Antetokounmpo test him: As Antetokounmpo surveys his options from the left elbow, he sees the former Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol two-nining (spending as much time as possible in the paint before being called for defensive three seconds) and the long, lengthy Pascal Siakam behind him on the right block. The Bucks needed a bucket to keep pace with the Raptors midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3. Raptors’ head coach Nick Nurse made sure his team constantly showed the Bucks’ best player plenty of bodies with little fear of retribution from their outside shooters. After all, Toronto never lost after assigning Leonard to primary on-ball responsibilities.Īlthough Leonard certainly played his part as an elite on-ball defender, he had more than his fair share of help. Many (falsely) attribute Kawhi Leonard to stopping Antetokounmpo in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. The line most certainly references Antetokounmpo’s new contract signed before his championship, which will keep him in Milwaukee through the majority of his career, all while he could have gone and played for a bigger market under brighter lights.ĭrake isn’t only including the two-time MVP in his lyrics, but Antetokounmpo’s nickname as the “Greek Freak” is popping up on Certified Lover Boy merch produced by Nike as well.The adjustment defenses have made is to show him a literal wall of bodies. “ Don’t move like a puto / Could at least keep it a Buck like Antetokounmpo.” In one of the more immediately popular songs off his new release, “7AM On Bridle Path” - making a reference to his Toronto address - the Toronto Raptors megafan showed some recognition and skill by being able to drop a rhyme with the champion’s last name. With the glory also comes some recognition from Drake.
It’s not uncommon for rappers to make sports references in their lyrics, but in “Certified Lover Boy,” Drake took it to a whole different level.Īfter the Milwaukee Bucks were crowned the 2021 NBA champions this summer, it was the season of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he finally lifted that trophy after years of dominance. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) Giannis Antetokounmpo was honoured by Drake and Kanye in the same week.
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