Milwaukee Bucks Preseason Preview: Oct. 13 vs Detroit Pistons

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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks stands on the court in the third quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center on April 27, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)) /

Major key for Milwaukee: Rely on Giannis (but not too much)

Everybody who knows a lick about the Milwaukee Bucks knows the team relies on Giannis Antetokounmpo for just about everything, but the divide between Giannis minutes and non-Giannis minutes this preseason has been stark.

NBA.com doesn’t seem to carry detailed on/off numbers for the preseason, but the team was noticeably better with him on the floor. The ease with which he dominated the Chicago Bulls was simply staggering. Everybody else’s life is easier with the Greek Freak on the court thanks to the attention he draws, and the passing he provides once defenses over-commit.

There is an upper limit to how much Giannis should be doing though, and it increases from the preseason to the regular season and again from the regular season to the postseason. Although Antetokounmpo could probably dominate Detroit, he shouldn’t be doing too much in a meaningless game.

In addition to simply not overworking the franchise player, the other guys on the team need to contribute as well. Not everything can be placed squarely on Giannis’ shoulders, even though they seem to get broader each and every year.

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