Maximize chemistry with Giannis
Like all players up and down the Bucks’ roster, the relatively recent addition of Williams was made with Antetokounmpo in mind.
No one player directly hinges on WIlliams’ success with the Bucks more than how he and Antetokounmpo are able to develop an interplay with one another on both sides of the ball. And to this point, that partnership has been a glowing success.
Small sample size alert, but the Bucks have outscored their opponents by 28 points in the 41 minutes both Antetokounmpo and Williams are playing together. When Williams is on the court while Antetokounmpo is on the bench, the Bucks are a -22 in those 116 minutes of play.
Having been able to get to know Williams and his tendencies, Antetokounmpo has been able to immediately lean on the 15-year-veteran both on and off the court as he recently talked about with Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
"“He’s a great player,” Antetokounmpo said. “From Day 1 that he came to the team, I think we just connected. Obviously, I talked a little bit with him the day he arrived with the team and I thought he appreciated that. Now, even on the basketball court, I know he’s going to be in the right spot and he’s got so much experience he knows when to give me outlets, he knows when to talk to me. So far, he’s a great player.”"
Whether it’s being able to hit Williams with laser passes in the corner or establishing clear lines of communication on the defensive end, Antetokounmpo has taken the necessary steps to build a rapport with Williams.
And that will continue to be key for both parties, and the Bucks as a whole, as the team’s season reaches its critical moments in the months to come.