Milwaukee Bucks: Player grades for 2019 FIBA World Cup
By Adam McGee
Giannis Antetokounmpo
World Cup stat line: 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.4 steals, .522/.222/.706
There’s no other way to start any kind of reflection on Giannis’ World Cup than with once again acknowledging just how significantly he was misused throughout the tournament.
Antetokounmpo was frequently marginalized in the Greek offense, and although his contributions would have been helped by better shooting from his teammates, the fact remains that one of the quickest paths to creating more spaces for those shots would have been to put the ball in Giannis’ hands and allow him to draw a crowd on every possession.
Instead, Greece opted for Nick Calathes and Kostas Sloukas as primary ball-handlers even when Giannis was on the court, and the end results speak for themselves.
Those facts don’t entirely absolve Giannis in what was a poor tournament for him on an individual level, though. Frustration ultimately played a part in some of the worst of his play, offering a glimpse of a player who likely does still have some maturing to do in spite of all he has already achieved.
The facts remain that Giannis averaged 2.6 turnovers to his 2.4 assists throughout the tournament, frequently found himself in foul trouble, and even missed clutch free throws as the pressure ramped up on Greece.
The fouls are particularly deserving of further examination as Giannis fouled out against both Brazil and the Czech Republic; i.e. the two games which will ultimately be reflected upon as the turning points for Greece. In Giannis’ defense, he certainly didn’t enjoy the friendliest of whistles at times as he battled the increased physicality of FIBA play, but his own discipline could also have been managed better.
None of this should be too damning for Antetokounmpo in what was essentially his first international tournament as he approaches his prime years. Back with the Bucks, he should find life much easier again for a variety of reasons. Still, nobody is perfect and as much as the Greek coaching staff undoubtedly failed Giannis, it must be noted that he is also capable of much better performances than those he delivered in China.
Final grade: C-