Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing the bolstered 2021-22 power forward rotation
By Jacob Maier
Thanasis will look to bring intensity off the bench at power forward for the Milwaukee Bucks
Thanasis, the older brother of Giannis, has returned to the Bucks on a two-year deal. There was uncertainty surrounding his return after Milwaukee’s championship season, but the Greek native has returned.
Thanasis has certainly become a fan favorite and has carved out a role in his tenure with Milwaukee. While Thanasis has his limits on the offensive end, his intensity is his main draw. The energizer has brought continuous intensity on the defensive end, and his flashy dunks surely get fans excited. Thanasis played a career-high 57 games for Milwaukee last season and averaged 2.9 points in nine minutes per game. In those minutes, Thanasis can be seen fighting for loose balls and rebounds and bringing energy on the defensive end. Even if he is not putting up big numbers on the offensive end, his role as Milwaukee’s sparkplug is an important one.
Shifting to next season, Thanasis will be Milwaukee’s energizer once again. His time on the floor may be limited again due to the surplus of talent at small forward and power forward. That said, Antetokounmpo will be ready when his number is called as he continues to bring a level of defensive energy that is difficult to match. His intensity and quick speed allow him to match up with guards while also having the strong stature to defend big men. Due to this versatility, Milwaukee should feel comfortable in their energizer to bring good defense on the perimeter and in the paint.
It is difficult to imagine a Bucks team without Thanasis coming off the bench. Now that he has returned, he will round out the power forward rotation, bringing energy off the bench and being the loudest of Milwaukee’s supporting cast.
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With the roster nearly set in stone, the Bucks are shaping up to be a deep team once again. With a surplus of defensive talent at the power forward position, Milwaukee’s defense should be among the best next season.