After handing him a one-year contract earlier this summer, the Milwaukee Bucks were hoping to see quality basketball from Thanasis Antetokounmpo at EuroBasket. Representing Greece alongside his brothers, including fellow Buck Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis hasn't exactly taken the spotlight away from anyone, though.
Bucks would love to see more from Thanasis
In the competition thus far, Thanasis has averaged 2.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in a mere 12 minutes per game. It's been a quiet string of games for the forward. No one expected Thanasis to come out and dominate EuroBasket, but it would have been encouraging if he had cemented himself as a quality rotational player for the squad.
Of course, Thanasis is coming off an Achilles injury that forced him to miss all of last season. It would have been helpful to see how he looks coming off that injury, but EuroBasket hasn't offered him that to this point. Perhaps they aren't pushing him due to the Achilles rehab. Perhaps there just isn't much time for him in the rotation. Either way, he's not playing a significant role.
Even with all of that in mind, the Milwaukee Bucks don't regret their decision to sign the small forward. In past stints, he's never played a key role for the squad, primarily serving as a fan favorite energizer on the sidelines. He will assume that role once again next season, with most of his minutes coming during mop-up duty or as a break glass in case of emergency small forward option.
To be clear, even if he hasn't dazzled, Thanasis has shown some flashes in recent games, just like he has with the Milwaukee Bucks over the years. Post-surgery, he still has some leaping ability at his disposal to throw down dunks or swat shots. Thanasis himself has said that he's always looking to make his presence felt defensively when he plays, and he's doing so.
It's nice to see him staying active after he missed an entire year of action.
If there is an Antetokounmpo not named Giannis catching eyes, it is Kostas. For Greece, he's putting up 3.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and a steal per game, showing glimpses of impressive two-way play. He won't be on the Milwaukee Bucks to open next season, but if he continues showing off his skills like this, that conversation could be worth revisiting at some point.
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