5 Notes On Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Playoff Performance So Far

Staying Out Of Foul Trouble

This might be the biggest note about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s playoff performances thus far. You can be the best player in the world, but it doesn’t matter if you aren’t actually playing. (See Joel Embiid‘s Rookie of the Year case for an example of the contrary.)

The only thing that could keep Giannis from playing is foul trouble, or actually being ejected from a game. He’s picked up just eight total fouls in three playoff games thus far, which is a very manageable total.

Four of those came in Game 1, where Giannis did flirt with foul trouble slightly. He still managed to play over 38 minutes though, and four fouls for an entire game isn’t entirely crippling. Since then Bucks fans have seen a lot of control from the Greek Freak, who’s picked up just four fouls over the last two games.

One moment especially sticks out from Game 3, when Serge Ibaka was clearly jostling and pushing Giannis and looking interested in starting something. In a beautiful display of maturity, Giannis looked disappointed in Ibaka and just walked away.

Antetokounmpo now realizes the Bucks need him on the floor far more than they need him to make a statement by decking somebody on the other team, as much fun as it was to watch him take down Mike Dunleavy.