Giannis Antetokounmpo: 3 insane stats that encapsulate great start
You’d think that after the resume that Giannis Antetokounmpo has compiled to this point in his relatively short career that there wouldn’t be much he could do to wow us at this point. Yet, here we are, eight games into the Milwaukee Bucks title defense season and the two-time MVP is still finding ways to blow our collective minds.
Being forced to play with extremely shorthanded lineups thus far, Antetokounmpo has taken it upon himself to carry the Bucks through the beginning of the season. He at least had his long-time running mate Khris Middleton with him for most of this stretch until the two-time All-Star tested positive for COVID-19.
Everyone will focus on Antetokounmpo’s improved shooting numbers from behind the 3-point line and at the charity stripe, which has been undeniably impressive, but there are still a few other stats that show how incredible the 26-year-old superstar has been for the Bucks so far.
No. 1: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rim protection has been outstanding for the Milwaukee Bucks
On the surface, this isn’t surprising. Antetokounmpo is one of the best at protecting the rim in the entire league and players know when they attack the rim against the Bucks, Antetokounmpo will be looming.
However, what makes it more impressive to begin the 2021-22 season is that he has played all but one game without fellow rim protector Brook Lopez. The frontcourt tandem has formed an impenetrable wall at the rim for the Bucks since Lopez signed with the team in 2018.
But without Lopez or much frontcourt depth to speak of, Antetokounmpo has been forced to play far more time at the center position than he has at any other point in his career. Over 80 percent of his minutes have come at the five, which is something that Antetokounmpo has noted he’s struggled to adjust to.
While you may see the struggles primarily in the team rebounding numbers, you won’t see it with Antetokounmpo’s rim protection. He is posting career-highs in blocks per game (2.0) and block rate (5.4 percent).
Additionally, players are shooting under 60 percent less than five feet from the hoop against Antetokounmpo, one of the lower rates in the league among big men, per NBA.com/stats. He has been able to maximize his talents as a rim protector being a more traditional center on defense, which is leading to some very impressive numbers so far.