Thanasis Antetokounmpo radiates energy with every step, and has harnessed it to help resurrect the Milwaukee Bucks from their lowest point this year.
As the Bucks were presented with unprecedented regular season adversity, all of which coincided with Jrue Holiday being sidelined with COVID-19 and missing 10 games as a result, they looked vulnerable and were at the mercy of their opponents. Throughout their five-game losing skid, the Bucks uncharacteristically committed sloppy turnovers, forfeited paint control on both ends, and failed to convert outside looks.
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As those symptoms worsened as the skid wore on, peaking with one of their most lifeless performances against the Toronto Raptors, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer turned to the elder Antetokounmpo to spark some life into the proceedings upon staring down an eventual 110-96 defeat that Thursday night.
That loss served as rock bottom for the Bucks as well as the end of their losing slump. Save for their loss to the Denver Nuggets right before the All-Star break, Thanasis has established himself back in the Bucks’ rotation, often spelling his younger brother and reigning MVP, Giannis.
By doing so, the Bucks have turned to Antetokounmpo to give them the emotional lift they need, especially in bench minutes. Many Bucks players stand higher in importance, but very few, if any, are able to supply the energy and effort that makes Thanasis the Bucks’ sparkplug in all intents and purposes.
By playing each minute as though it’s his last, Antetokounmpo has seized this opportunity to carve out even in a limited role with the Bucks’ rotation. In his 26 appearances, Antetokounmpo is averaging 2.3 points on 60.5 percent shooting from the field (2-for-9 from three), 2.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists in 8.7 minutes per contest.
More importantly, the Bucks clearly feed off of having Thanasis on the floor, even if he has a -4.8 net rating over his 227 minutes this season, per NBA.com/stats. The Bucks are 8-2 in games where Thanasis plays 10 or more minutes this season.
However, though, his end-of-rotation designation did come from somewhere. Thanasis’ limited offensive skill and lack of finesse force Coach Bud to keep his on-court stints short and sweet. Effort-based intangibles are just as valuable, though, and few contribute more than the lesser-known Antetokounmpo.
Such a unique player deserves a holistic performance analysis and without further ado, let’s look at just how Thanasis impacts the Bucks when he steps on the floor.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo lays it on the line for the Milwaukee Bucks
Every team needs a bruiser – someone to get physical and push the opponents out of their comfort zone. We can all agree that Thanasis is that man in Milwaukee. Outhustling a team enforces a right to victory, and the basketball gods often agree.
The most significant of these hustle plays undoubtedly comes on the offensive glass. In an instant, snatching a contested board can shift the momentum more than almost any other play. Thanasis averages 4.1 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, good for second among non-centers. These boards translate into the most demoralizing stat for a defense, that being stolen possessions.
In today’s NBA, defending a team for 24 seconds is an enormous task. Complete team cohesion is absolutely essential in a league where certain players, like Milwaukee’s reigning MVP, command a full unit’s attention. If a team succeeds in stopping Giannis and the Bucks for an entire possession, they’ve earned the right to initiate their offense – unless someone like Thanasis snatches the rebound from under their noses.
Thanasis terrorizes the offensive glass, sapping energy from the opponents and feeding it into his teammates. Check out this play from that Raptors game, and keep an eye on Thanasis, though it won’t be difficult.
At this point in the game, the Bucks have begun to cut into the deficit, but still struggle to generate efficient offense. Giannis draws significant attention on his cut to the paint, but fades away for a heavily contested hook, despite having two open shooters on the perimeter.
By any estimate, Toronto has won this possession. Even if Giannis were to somehow convert this, forcing a team into low-percentage looks reflects a job well done. And yet, Thanasis skies in from the elbow, out-muscling multiple Raptors to corral the miss, awarding Milwaukee a second chance.
In addition to being a fiend on the glass, Thanasis boasts a strong defensive IQ, making him an easy insert into any defensive scheme.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s strong fundamentals fits the Milwaukee Bucks
Thanasis fits the Bucks’ defensive plans perfectly this 2020-21 season.
Milwaukee has devoted this regular season to defensive experimentation, which comes at a statistical price. Last year, the Bucks fielded a stout, but a one-dimensional defense that held teams to a league-best 102.5 points per 100 possessions last season, per NBA.com/stats.
Under head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks implemented a drop coverage, instructing defenders to run opponents off the 3-point line and drop interior defenders near the rim. However, two consecutive playoff flameouts taught the Bucks a painful lesson and that postseason success requires defensive versatility. No matter its strength, one style of defense cannot sustain a deep playoff run.
In response, this year’s Bucks have adopted a more evenly-layered coverage. Instead of baiting teams inside, Milwaukee now pressures opponents all over the court, with special attention to outside shots. The success of this adjustment hinges on the defenders’ ability to switch assignments with one another and Bucks defenders must respond to screens by trading off assignments, instead of fighting through the screener. If each defender can handle their new assignment, the Bucks have beaten the screen.
For this reason, the Bucks need players capable of guarding multiple positions. Luckily, Thanasis can stick with anyone on the court.
The small forward’s intensity and raw athleticism make him very switchable on the defensive end. He uses his lateral quickness to front slashers, while being physical enough to battle a big man down low, if necessary. Add in an innate sense of positioning, and we have an ultimate pick and roll defender. Look at this defensive possession against the Sacramento Kings.
It may seem ordinary, but this play illustrates Thanasis’s strong defensive fundamentals and versatility. Pat Connaughton starts on the Kings’ Buddy Hield, but a screen by Hassan Whiteside immediately disrupts the coverage. This is a critical point, as Connaughton is too small to a handle a rolling Whiteside, but has also lost position to guard Hield.
The Sacramento guard has Milwaukee right where he wants them, and simply must read Thanasis’ positioning to either hit a rolling Whiteside, or attack the cup himself. Brilliantly, though, the Bucks’ wildcard removes both of these options. Immediately after the screen, Antetokounmpo slides to the foul line extended, clogging both Hield and Whiteside’s paths to the hoop.
Hield makes the right play, dishing it quickly as Connaughton begins to recover, but a quick pivot allows Thanasis to obstruct the powerful Whiteside. From here, he plays right out of the textbook, staying vertical to force a contested miss inside. Had he pressed Hield at the screen or dropped too far back, one of the Kings would’ve enjoyed a high-percentage look.
Once again, exceptional defenders shine brightest in ordinary plays. Good defense bores fans, but it also earns playing time. Thanasis executes these fundamental plays to perfection, and the coaching staff has rewarded him accordingly.
Of course, we cannot let textbook fundamentals overshadow his dynamic ability. Much like his brother, this Antetokounmpo can also put on a show. Let’s take a look at this similar pick and roll from later that game.
Once again, a screen from center Marvin Bagley III puts Tyrese Haliburton two steps ahead of Bryn Forbes, passing the defensive responsibility to Thanasis. This is a tall order as he must address the threatening Haliburton, without forfeiting inside position to Bagley. Thanasis responds appropriately, shifting his stance to face the imposing guard, while never relinquishing his spot in the passing lane.
Haliburton does find Bagley, but Antetokounmpo responds by taking away a right-handed layup. A skilled finisher likely could’ve found an opening, but the obstruction was enough to force a young Bagley right into Khris Middleton. After Middleton stymies the big, Thanasis erases his second shot at the rim. With the play still not over, he then hustles to cover Middleton’s corner assignment.
In one play, Antetokounmpo covered all a guard, forward, and center. If the Bucks intend on fully committing to this switching defense, they’ll need personnel capable of doing just that. Proficient positional defenders are valuable, but can only carry a team so far – players must be prepared to help their teammates, or swap assignments with them outright.
Thanasis has what the Bucks need on this end. However, it is no accident that he plays just under nine minutes a game this season as he still has significant room to grow.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s offensive limitations are evident with the Milwaukee Bucks
Before he can earn consistent minutes, a few areas of Thanasis’ game need addressing, primarily on the offensive end. Rebounding and screening come naturally for the athletic forward, but he lacks the tools and dfined skills to create offensive opportunities against a set defense.
Like his brother, Thanasis has no jumpshot as he’s shooting just 21 percent on shots taken from beyond three feet. He has converted 23 of his 30 attempts within the restricted area (76.7 percent), but such looks at the basket are primarily assisted by teammates. Take a look at this play from the Bucks matchup against the Oklahoma Thunder last month.
As soon as Forbes drives, Thanasis slips down to the baseline and finishes the open flush. This type of action suits him well, where his teammates create the opportunity. Aside from these misdirection plays, though, he cannot handle consistent offensive looks.
Thanasis struggles to beat attentive pressure – defenders expose the deepest flaws of his game in one-on-one battles. As a result, the majority of his field goal attempts come from his own work on the offensive glass, or the baseline play we just saw.
When tasked with making a play, this Antetokounmpo does not impress, as seen by his sky-high 28.1 turnover percentage this season.
Well-executed cuts should be rewarded with easy buckets, especially for a team often guilty of settling for isolation-heavy possessions. Thanasis has no problem doing that when off the ball, but his inability to recognize these openings stems from his on-ball discomfort, which can be remedied by developing as a ball handler.
When controlling the ball has become second nature, his cutting teammates will become more obvious, and his isolation package will expand. As a confident ball-handler, he can move freely and harness his greatest strength by creating chaos.
Despite his offensive limitations, Thanasis’s well-rounded play style would earn him significant minutes in any second unit. Few players match his levels of effort and intensity, while also flashing textbook defensive fundamentals. If he can develop his offensive skillset to a similar caliber, the league might have two Antetokounmpos to worry about.