What the Milwaukee Bucks learned from the 2017 NBA Finals
Power of the point forward
Back in the 1980s, a Milwaukee Buck introduced the league to the “point forward” – a wing-sized player who guards wings but handles the ball on offense. Paul Pressey started a wave of forwards filling this role. LeBron James redefined it and raised it to excellence.
LeBron James averaged a triple-double for the entire NBA Finals, the first player in NBA history to do so. He averaged 8.7 assists per game in the regular season, a career-high mark for the King; for his career James has averaged 7.0 assists per game. Among players 6’8″ and taller, he ranks second in career assists to only Magic Johnson.
James’ ability to throw pinpoint passes at incredible velocities unlocked offense for the Cavaliers, because defenses could never completely close off passing lanes. He could fire blistering fastballs at seemingly every angle, or bounce passes through a sea of limbs directly to his target. Passes like his make any defense look incompetent.
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The Golden State Warriors have a pair of point forwards themselves in Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala. Green is able to secure rebounds and immediately jumpstart a fast break, pushing the ball up the court despite playing at the 4 and 5. Iguodala is one of the league’s very best bench players and a key part of Golden State’s core and passing philosophy.
Many teams in the league would love to deploy a multi-faceted forward who can throw pinpoint passes and guard multiple positions. The Milwaukee Bucks are unique in that they can boast one of those rare players themselves.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a physical marvel, 6’11” with the vision and moves of a much smaller player. He is listed under three different positions on basketball reference, and yet none are the position he started at for much of the season last year. His versatility on the court unlocks innumerable lineup options for Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee coaching staff.
Antetokounmpo’s role moving forward will most likely be at the 4 — in other words, none of his listed positions! His length and athleticism give him the ability to guard every position, and the keys to the offense have been placed his hands. Much like players on both Finals teams, initiating offense from the wing can open up options across the roster.