NBA Game Reviews: February 3, 2021

1. The reigning 2x MVP isn’t as productive this season, but he’s actually more valuable than he’s ever been

Despite winning each of the last two NBA MVP awards, not much has been said about Giannis Antetokounmpo now that he’s signed his super-max contract extension, and will no longer reach free agency after the season. He hasn’t been getting much MVP consideration considering his numbers are mostly down across the board and the Bucks haven’t been the same clear-cut No.1 team in the East as they were the previous two seasons. 

However, going beyond the surface of Milwaukee’s W-L record and Giannis’ box score statistics shows the Greek Freak making himself more valuable than ever. While he’s “only” scoring 27.0 PPG this year compared to 29.5 last year, it’s because he’s taking less shots, specifically less three-point attempts. Considering Antetokounmpo has never been a big outside threat and has rarely hit even 30% of those 3PA’s, it’s much more valuable for the offense when he’s not taking those outside shots. 

Instead, he’s using his world-class length to constantly penetrate his way into the paint and is finding open teammates more than ever with a career-high 6.0 APG. His two biggest weaknesses, and really the only two weaknesses in his game, has been his lack of a consistent jump shot and not being much of a facilitator for others. Over the last two games, he’s completely cut out trying to shoot with 0 3PA’s in consecutive games, and is paving the way for his Milwaukee teammates to get better shots. 

He’s also pairing this evolved offensive play-style with the same Defensive Player of the Year-caliber play on that side of the ball as well. Giannis might not be as productive as years past, but he’s playing unselfish basketball and doing what’s best to win games which makes him as valuable as ever at 26 years old with as bright of a future as any player in the league. 

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