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Milwaukee Bucks: Where Giannis Antetokounmpo’s shooting ability stands now

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a shot during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a shot during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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After making meaningful strides as a 3-point shooter this season, the same struggles Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has historically battled still remain.

When it comes to the well-documented shooting struggles of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, any signs of hope have long been clutched to by all Bucks fans around Milwaukee and the world at large.

And there was a plenty of reason for celebration as Antetokounmpo looked to have finally laid down the foundation toward possessing a more reliable jumpshot than we’ve been accustomed to seeing, especially after hitting 39.1 percent of his 3-point looks throughout the month of December.

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Under reigning NBA Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer and his coaching staff, most notably assistant coach and shot doctor, Ben Sullivan, Antetokounmpo has personally adopted the let it fly mantra that came into effect with their arrival two summers ago.

Where Antetokounmpo once thought twice about launching up multiple 3-point looks, the Greek phenom has heaved up triples as often as some of the Bucks’ more willing marksmen from that range of the floor. Antetokounmpo has shot the third-most 3-point attempts on this year’s squad, standing behind Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, respectively.

Despite the increased willingness Antetokounmpo has shown from long distance, opposing teams still treat him like the non-shooting threat he has been for the majority of his seven-year career. That song will remain the same when it comes to the postseason and the Bucks’ Eastern Conference rivals will look to test the chemistry and system the Bucks have prized over the last two seasons.

The hot shooting start Antetokounmpo enjoyed this season has quietly gone cold just as the temperatures have gone down this winter in Milwaukee. Since the turn of the new year, Antetokounmpo has gone 20-of-71 from 3-point range, good for 28.1 percent.

The key to Antetokounmpo’s 3-point prowess, his pull up game, has been a significant reason behind this ongoing slide as he’s gone 12-of-43 on such attempts over this span of games, which comes in at 27.9 percent, per NBA.com/stats. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo has been an incredibly reliable 3-point threat off the catch where he’s knocked down 38.5 percent of his 52 attempts that way so far.

As if Antetokounmpo’s range shooting woes weren’t one way for opponents to try and take advantage of the few flaws he possesses, the same certainly applies to the downturn he’s experienced when logging trips to the free throw line.

The 25-year-old has repeatedly tinkered with his free throw routine, so much so that there have been stretches where no one shot or routine of his has been the same.

Recently, though, Antetokounmpo’ shortened, concise free throw routine has led to better success than he had been enjoying for the season as he’s converting a career-worst 61.4 free throw percentage on 500 attempts. Small sample size, but Antetokounmpo is 33-of-49 from the free throw line in four games in February, a mark of 67.3 percent.

But with his overall concerns at the charity stripe this year, we’ve already seen opponents opt for a hack-a-Giannis strategy to throw him off his game as was the case when Warriors head coach Steve Kerr did it late in the Bucks’ road victory over the lowly Golden State Warriors last month.

Budenholzer chose to look at the potential of seeing a hack-a- Giannis strategy as a positive and a way for Antetokounmpo to grow his confidence when the pressure ratchets up in the playoffs as he told Eric Nehm of The Athletic last month:

"“I think it’s great for Giannis, great for us,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said of his team’s first real look at the strategy. “I think the more he goes to the line the better. He’s just going to keep building his confidence, get more reps. Pressure, feel that. I think overall it’s a really good opportunity for us and for Giannis.”"

And considering no player in the league has drawn more personal fouls than Antetokounmpo this season, consistently leaving points at the free throw line could be damaging to the both the MVP and the Bucks as a whole.

It all goes to show that for all the real strides Antetokounmpo has taken in simply incorporating a 3-point shot in his game through his work with Sullivan, opponents will continue to let him prove that he’s able to handle taking and making such shots under pressure cooker situations.

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And while all of this is nothing new for Antetokounmpo, being able to maintain any improvements he has made from long range and from the free throw line will put to rest any of the concerns that have long followed him and his long-standing weaknesses.

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