Giannis Antetokounmpo can improve his post up game next season for the Milwaukee Bucks
It feels weird to be saying that Antetokounmpo should try to improve his offensive game when he put up two 40-point games and a 50-point game in the NBA Finals. However, his ability to score in the post is not something that Antetokounmpo is quite consistent with enough yet.
In terms of his efficiency on post ups in the regular season, Antetokounmpo posted 0.92 points per possession during the regular season and a 52.6 percent effective field goal percentage, according to NBA.com/stats. That dropped to 0.80 PPP and 42.1 percent eFG% in the playoffs.
Now, I don’t think that getting Antetokounmpo consistent back-to-the-basket post ups is a way to run an efficient offense in the modern NBA, but being able to have something to go to in crunch time possessions like that would be a very good option to have in your back pocket. I’d much prefer them to continue to let Giannis post up facing the basket, though.
Well, Giannis is still Giannis. Very interested in seeing what the Suns do when Giannis faces that second unit/when Ayton is off the court. Crowder gets the matchup, Bucks go to the post up. Lopez spaced on wing so no real size to help low. Giannis able to drive/finish. pic.twitter.com/VUehEJan0B
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) July 7, 2021
Anyone who has watched Antetokounmpo the last couple of years will know that he has been steadily improving in his post up game and his post moves, but they aren’t quite there consistently yet. For example, Giannis shot 38.1 percent on turnaround fadeaway shots (39 total attempts) this past season and 28.6 percent on hook shots (21 total attempts).
You saw throughout the playoffs that it’s starting to become more consistent for Giannis with his post up offensive game, but if he can get that efficiency mark to around 1.00-1.05 PPP this season, then we’ll be looking at an incredibly well-rounded offensive game for the two-time MVP.