Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to look out for in 2021-22 NBA season opener

How will Giannis Antetokounmpo’s new and improved jump shot translate to a regular season game with the Milwaukee Bucks?

Antetokounmpo debuted a beautiful new jump shot along with a much more smooth free throw routine over the preseason and set the NBA world on fire in doing so.

Although there is much to be excited about, there is still reason to be skeptical. Antetokounmpo has not shot better than 30 percent from 3-point range since his rookie season back in 2014, (Thanks, Jason Kidd). He has not shot better than 72 percent from the stripe since his breakout 2017-18 season. So there is reason to hold back on your optimism. With that said, let’s talk about how his jumper would affect the offense as a whole if it is what it looks to be now. He would have much more room to drive if his jumper is effective because you can’t just sit in the paint if the jumper is falling. This can create rotations in the defense if the MVP gets past his primary defender on the perimeter, and this is where it gets fun.

You can dish it out to any of your elite shooters like Allen or Khris Middleton, you can give it to Brook Lopez in the dunker spot, or you can take it yourself to the rim and likely convert or get fouled. What I’m trying to say is that if Antetokounmpo’s jumper is legit, it creates an unwinnable situation for the defense, and would make the Bucks that much more dangerous to the rest of the NBA. Some fans are not yet ready to believe that Antetokounmpo has improved his jumper, but if he comes out shooting against the Nets, they might have to change that opinion in a hurry.