Milwaukee Bucks: Getting to know forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Playing style

Coming in at 6’7″ and possessing a seven-foot wingspan, Antetokounmpo carries the physical profile of a modern day, versatile NBA wing/forward.

Boasting such great size and physical tools, Antetokounmpo pairs that with his glowing, explosive athleticism, which he utilizes frequently in either leaping up to throw down a rim-rattling putback slam or in checking his assignment on the other end of the floor.

While he carries all of the prototypical attributes needed to survive in today’s NBA, arguably the most visceral quality Antetokounmpo possesses is the drive and intensity he plays with on virtually every possession.

That certainly lends itself well on the defensive side of the floor and Antetokounmpo’s mobility, hustle and dirty work mentality could certainly make him a defensive specialist on the NBA level. Sometimes, Antetokounmpo’s terrorizing nature may end up veering off into unnecessary free-wheeling, but he has made steps along the way to rein in his raw instincts with a more refined, sound defensive mentality over time.

But for as fiery and relentless as Antetokounmpo’s game and overall work ethic is, his raw base of skills is a major concern for his viability on the NBA level. The biggest among them is Antetokounmpo’s shooting deficiencies as he’s never been able to improve both his consistency and prowess throughout all of his stops in the States and overseas.

To make matters worse, Antetokounmpo’s subpar free throw proficiency gives yet another indication to how much of a pronounced flaw it stands in his overall game. Antetokounmpo’s on-ball skills are similarly lacking, although he is able to handle and slash his way to convert a strong layup and/or thunderous jam.

The combination of all of those realities will surely make Antetokounmpo a tough fit offensively, even with the possibility that developing with the Bucks’ coaching staff, most notably shot doctor and assistant coach Ben Sullivan, could remedy his faulty shot.

Where Antetokounmpo’s shooting and shot creation limitations are major holes, he makes up for it by being a very instinctual roamer off the ball, particularly on the baseline. And Antetokounmpo’s aforementioned hustle will translate very well in the open court under the up-tempo system the Bucks deploy as well as connecting on the occasional second chance opportunity.

Antetokounmpo’s offensive standing will always be an open-ended question throughout his career and more so now that he’s returned back to the NBA, even for a forward buried deep on the Bucks’ projected depth chart.

Whether he can ever gain a neutral impact on that end stands as a more realistic expectation at this point and it’s one Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer will have to resolve with at some point over the course of the Antetokounmpo’s stay in Milwaukee.