After a disastrous start to the 2024-25 season, the Milwaukee Bucks have been on a roll. They have won six straight games and have their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to thank.
Giannis has been a terror to start the season, averaging 32.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Even after averaging 29.8 points on 56.9% shooting, 11.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game over the last five seasons, at 30 years old, he is still putting up monster numbers. However, he isn't producing in exactly the same way that he has before.
Over the summer, he played for Greece in the Olympics and showed off an improved mid-range jumper that has carried over into this season. He is shooting 44.3% on mid-range jumpers while attempting the third most per game thus far at 4.35 game. In fact, he recently drilled eight jumpers against the Detroit Pistons en route to 59 points.
Giannis having a mid-range jumper to fall back on as he ages is a game changer considering that he often relied on his strength and athleticism to muscle his way into the paint. Being able to create shots from outside the paint will force teams to adjust to how they guard him.
Some teams put their center on him to prevent him overpowering a wing and bulldosing his way to the rim. Now, opponents will soon have to come further out to prevent giving up an open jumper to Giannis with him drilling them at a high percentage. That is great for Giannis, who can leverage his new-found jumper into easy points while still being able to blow by his defender, resulting in him putting up monster numbers yet again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominant play has rescued the Milwaukee Bucks' season.
After starting 2-8, Milwaukee is now beginning to make up lost ground. Given how mediocre the Eastern Conference has been thus far with just five teams above .500, the Bucks can reestablish themselves as contenders thanks to Giannis. Unfortunately, they have fallen seven games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and trail the Boston Celtics but are in striking distance of the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks. for the third seed.
Considering how poorly the season started, that would be a huge for the Bucks and calm trade talk surrounding Giannis. Even so, the Bucks will still need to scour the trade market for trade help. While they haven't had any luck on that front just yet, they do have a 2031 first-round pick swap that could be an attractive trade chip.
If they can turn that asset into a key rotation player, then they might have enough to compete with the Cavs and Celtics, especially with Giannis suddenly turning into a terrific shooter.