Milwaukee Bucks: 3 ways Giannis Antetokounmpo is improving as a scorer

Giannis Antetokounmpo is making leaps as an isolation scorer for the Milwaukee Bucks

A large part of Antetokounmpo 49-point performance over the Nets Sunday came with the forward feasting in one-on-one situations. While that was largely due to how the Nets didn’t send any help towards Antetokounmpo’s way, NBA.com’s John Schuhmann recently noted how successful Antetokounmpo was on such possessions in Sunday’s big win:

"“The Bucks had eight more isolation possessions (23) than the Nets did (15), according to Synergy tracking, and Antetokounmpo scored 17 points on his 12 isos.”"

It all speaks to the larger trend that Antetokounmpo has enjoyed when looking to score one-on-one this season as he’s averaging 1.10 points per isolation possession this season, which ranks in the 87th percentile of players. That’s quite the jump from the 0.90 points per isolation possession that Antetokounmpo averaged for the 2019-20 season, which ranked in the 58th percentile.

Of course, one isn’t mistaking Antetokounmpo for being one of the most gifted, three-level scorers in the league, though his duel with Kevin Durant certainly gave that impression.

However, the Bucks have put Antetokounmpo in more advantageous spots to succeed when breaking opposing defenders down off the dribble and in ways where help defenders can’t come off of Bucks shooters. Just look at how Antetokounmpo left Blake Griffin spinning and guessing after putting down this crafty driving finish that started from the high post in this clutch time possession.

Those kind of sets and plays have helped Antetokounmpo convert 62.9 percent of his 264 driving attempts this season and the eighth-year forward is finishing a whopping 79.5 percent of his 488 attempts taken within the restricted area. Unsuprisingly, both are career-high marks.

Antetokounmpo has long stood as one of the most paint attackers in the league and now, through the help of the Bucks’ coaching staff, they’re unlocking him to a new level with opening up such advantageous looks in ways that’s refreshing to see from afar.

Whether these scoring improvements will help both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks when it matters most will be answered when their playoff run starts in a couple of weeks time. But it never gets old seeing the reigning MVP play at such a high level like all Bucks fans have grown accustomed to over the year.