Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from brutal loss to Minnesota Timberwolves
By Dalton Sell
Georgios Kalaitzakis shows more potential with an all-around game for the Milwaukee Bucks
Following his eye-catching Summer League debut in Milwaukee’s 97-91 recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, many were anxious to see how Georgios Kalaitzakis would follow it up.
He did not have the greatest scoring performance as Kalaitzakis would finish with nine points on seven shot attempts, but he looked confident offensively. He was notably nervous in his debut just the other day, so seeing him progress in that aspect is a welcoming sign. While he might not have been scoring the basketball at an elite level, his facilitating was solid as he tallied seven assists in the loss, getting his teammates involved in the action.
Kalaitzakis showed signs of promise on the defensive end with two steals, one of which led to a breakaway dunk worthy of the highlight reel. Defense is not exactly the 22-year-old’s calling card, but there were signs of potential shown throughout his performance on Friday. He plays hard on that side of the basketball, which is welcoming for a team like the Bucks that is full of energetic players on defense.
It is often frowned upon to judge a player after their first few Summer League games, but it seems safe to say that Kalaitzakis has impressed in his first two games. Many were unsure of what was expected when the Bucks selected him with the 60th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but after these two showings, the potential he possesses is starting to show itself more and more. Playing just 17-and-a-half minutes in this latest contest, Kalaitzakis is making the most of his time out on the court at all times.