Would Giannis Antetokounmpo show signs of fatigue or weakness in the Bucks’ last three games? The Greek has indeed chained very average performances in terms of scoring, but also shooting percentage. A concern that will have to be resolved quickly, even if the Daims have managed to hold the shop without their leader in great shape.
What’s wrong, Giannis? You don’t drink your Actimel in the morning anymore, right? No, because your last three games are well below your “classic” statistical contributions. Turning this season to 31.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists, the Greek was limited to only 9 points against the Hornets, 22 against the Knicks then 7 against the Hawks tonight.
Come on, let’s get some context. Against Charlotte, the point difference – around twenty in the second quarter – inevitably encouraged Mike Budenholzer not to tire his star more than necessary. Only 22 minutes played and then back warm on the bench, thank you goodbye. On the other hand, against New York then Atlanta, the playing time of the Greek Freak will have been much higher, for numerical contributions always weak compared to its averages.
What’s the concern? Know first that it is not fiery. More seriously, several factors can explain all this. First, a potential physical discomfort that would make the boy uncomfortable with his shoot. Here we put our finger on one of the numbers that has fallen the most in the last three meetings: the shooting percentage.
Giannis, it’s hand-sewn: 51.8% average address this season, for three games that have fluctuated between 28.4% and 40% lately. The hypothesis of a small injury, not serious on the physical level but difficult to apprehend in the mechanics of shooting, could then very well be the cause of such a fall.
Second hypothesis: that of the slack. Yes, even if Giannis Antetokounmpo is a monster of regularity and physical maintenance, he is still a human – although, we have never seen him and Zeus in the same room to be honest – and can as such have a little more fatigue. The rhythm of the NBA is such that once arrived at the new year, with two intense months in the legs, a lot of players accuse a little the blow. Giannis is no longer a league neophyte, but there’s no indication he hasn’t been in lesser form in recent days.
Fortunately, his Bucks team is a solid team. The one who distributes Urakens to everything goes even when the local boss spins a bad cotton. Apart from the big dirty blow out against the Hornets, Milwaukee secured two road victories on the East Coast. A solid result linked to a well-honed collective chemistry, but also to the exceptional state of form of certain members of the group. The best example? Brook Lopez.
Come on dear Greek demigod, nothing too serious yet. We should nevertheless get back on track quickly because the upcoming calendar does not quite look like a post-raclette Sunday stroll between cousins. As strong as the friends are to ensure, they will need Giannis Antetokounmpo as soon as possible well in his sneakers.
Source : ESPN
