Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo To Play Point, Jabari Parker At PF?

When the Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis Antetokounmpo as the 15th pick of the 2014 NBA draft , they had an idea of the skill set their (at the time) 6’9″ “small guard” had. An extremely athletic wing with expert quickness, a talent for getting to the rim and finishing with the league’s best. He flourished in his rookie year during summer league and the regular season, when most NBA experts had written him off as inexperienced (for a rookie), and too raw to make a substantial contribution.

So much for the experts. One year later and heading into his second training camp, there’s no expert in or out of the league that would’ve predicted the possibility of Antetokounmpo playing the point guard position. Let alone being actually effective, his first stint with consistent pg minutes came in summer league where he averaged 17 points and 3.3 assists a game. Granted he put up those numbers on the scrubs, but there’s promise for Antetokounmpo where there’s decreasing faith in Brandon Knight. 

That’s exactly what Antetokounmpo told Basketball Insider’s Alex Kennedy. The Bucks have reinforced the idea by hiring Gary Payton as a mentor Antetokounmpo. Sorry Brandon Knight, you’ll have to rely on old game footage if you want to acquire some of the Glove’s moves. 

The Bucks have no intention of trying Antetokounmpo as a point-forward either. He’ll get some run at the point guard position, the actual 1-spot. That’d make Antetokounmpo the largest floor leader in the NBA, and if rookie Jabari Parker is moved to the power forward position where he’s claimed to be most comfortable, the Bucks would sport their most unconventional lineup in years. 

Parker explained his interest in the 4-position to Nancy Lieberman in a Sirius XM NBA radio interview:

"“As of right now I’m more comfortable with the 4 position. That’s where I played previously, before getting drafted, at Duke. I played a lot of 4. Even in high school. I know this is a different level. But in coach’s style of play, it’s more a stretch 4. That’s where I like to play my game, even though I like to post up a little. Just being on the perimeter, setting screens and popping, that’s what we’ve been doing so far. That’s what coach Kidd has been anticipating me playing that role.”"

At 6’8″ and 255 pounds Parker’s definitely able to mix it up in the paint. However, with John Henson and Ersan Ilyasova, it’s unlikely he’ll start and finish games at the power forward position. His game typically draws comparisons to Carmelo Anthony and that’s either a compliment to Parker’s offensive game or stocky build, but either way it’s elite company to be in.

For now, Kidd will most likely play a typical 1-5 lineup for the Bucks. It’ll look something like Knight, O.J. Mayo, Antetokounmpo, Parker and Larry Sanders at the five. Not that bad of a squad regardless where you place Parker and Giannis. 

With a group of young guys, there’s equal emphasis on learning the game at the NBA level. Creating something special on the floor has to derive from the fundamentals and fortunately for Antetokounmpo, Parker and the rest of the Bucks, Kidd and Payton were sticklers for the fundamentals. They’ll be learning from two of the greatest to ever do it.

Should Antetokounmpo catch on to even the most minuscule portion of Payton’s back to the basket game… scary! Seeing Antetokounmpo start at the point and Parker at the power forward depends on the Bucks learning curve as a whole. It’s not as if there’s an overwhelming amount of talent at either position. Antetokounmpo and Parker could easily beat out their teammates on the depth chart, however with a new coach and team philosophy they’ll run things by the book — for now.

They’ll be exciting to watch and will pack quite a punch but don’t expect extended minutes at Parker and Antetokounmpo’s dream positions.