Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways From Win Over New York Knicks
By Adam McGee
The Shot That Opens The Door
So, after all of that, let’s talk about the play. The shot.
The Bucks have frequently struggled to find a winning option in late game situations. If we’re honest, the play that we eventually saw on Wednesday wasn’t good either, but there’s an important distinction to be made about it.
With a tough fadeaway make straight out of the Kobe Bryant playbook, Giannis Antetokounmpo became the guy in late-game situations. That doesn’t mean that he should or will always have his number called for the final shot, but it means that opposing teams will now be more prone than ever to bite when he dangles the bait.
That could mean the Bucks have a decoy with exceptional gravity the next time a game is on the line. It could mean that so wrapped up in Giannis seemingly working his way towards his spot, defenders will switch off and allow space for other Bucks to cut to the basket. It could mean greater time and space on the perimeter for shooters.
Whatever route the Bucks choose to go from now on in, opportunities should appear by virtue of the whole league knowing that if they just leave Giannis to work one-on-one, there’s no getting close enough to him, and he can make the iso jumper.
As Giannis told to Charles Gardner of the Journal Sentinel:
"“I was patient,” Antetokounmpo said. “I knew I could shoot the ball over the top, and he was not going to block my shot. I just wanted to make sure I took the last shot.”"
It won’t automatically fix late game struggles, but it plants the seeds of doubt in the minds of opponents.
Next: Win In 6 Podcast #94: It’s Giannis Antetokounmpo’s World
Next up for the Bucks is a return game with the Knicks at the Bradley Center on Friday, which will be shown nationally on ESPN.