Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bryn Forbes have shown an on-court connection in the early going of the 2020-21 season for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks entered the season with a retooled roster that had little chemistry, but Giannis Antetokounmpo has been clicking with Bryn Forbes early on.
When Milwaukee signed Forbes in the offseason, it was clear to see why: the 3-point shooting. Throughout the first four seasons of his NBA tenure, the guard had racked up a career 40 percent success rate from behind the arc. The Bucks are always looking for sharpshooters to implement into their let it fly based offense, and Forbes undoubtedly fit the bill.
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Now, six games into the season, Forbes and Antetokounmpo have developed some chemistry together thanks to that prolific shooting. Forbes spoke to the media following Friday’s 126-96 win over the Chicago Bulls, a game where he scored 18 points and hit 4-of-6 3-pointers.
"Eric Nehm: “That pick-and-pop play at the top of the key, that’s something that Giannis has always run. Whether it’s Kyle Korver, Matthew Dellavedova, George Hill, whoever it is, that’s a play that he loves. Just what is getting that chemistry on that specific play kind of been like for him? I know Bud said you two had been working on that.”Bryn Forbes: “We had been talking about it for the past few days. Just learning each other’s tendencies and how he wants his screens set and when I’m going to slip home and just knowing each other and just knowing each other’s tendencies. It’s just going to get better. We’re just going to get better at it. It already feels comfortable.”"
Mike Budenholzer will likely use a similar blueprint from last season to get Forbes and Antetokounmpo more acclimated as the season progresses.
When the Bucks brought in Kyle Korver in the 2019 offseason, it was because of his 3-point shooting. Korver has asserted himself as one of the best shooters from behind the arc in league history, and that made him and Antetokounmpo an ideal pairing. In fact, Korver spent more minutes last season paired next to Giannis than any other teammate.
With Korver out of the picture, Forbes was a perfect fit to take his place, literally. The sharpshooter has spent 49 minutes paired alongside Antetokounmpo this season, the most time Forbes has seen with any teammate, and it has been working. So far, the tandem has been fantastic, and hopefully, they can roll with the momentum from this latest performance. Following Friday’s win over the Bulls, Giannis spoke to the media about Forbes’ impact, telling them:
"“Bryn is a new player, just came to the team, and I’m just trying to find that chemistry with him. Obviously, in the second unit, he can shoot the ball. He can shoot the ball really, really well, you can tell. He’s willing to set screens. He’s willing to sacrifice his body. He’s physically strong, so he can set a good screen to the four-man and slip out for the shot. He’s smart enough to read my eyes and know where I want to go and which way I want him to come set it. We’re building a good chemistry there.”"
Six games into the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bryn Forbes are clicking, and they both complement each other so well that this pairing could undoubtedly turn into something special.