Bucks’ Head Coach Opens up on Giannis Antetokounmpo Not Making Any 3-Pointers in Last Two Games

Published 02/04/2021, 12:24 AM EST

Just like last season, the Milwaukee Bucks are still one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They are holding a 13-8 record and are just behind the Philadelphia 76ers, who stand firm on the first position. As usual, their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has played a critical role in their ascent. Notably, the Bucks fought tooth and nail to get Giannis to sign the valuable contract extension.

However, for the past two games, three-pointers have been missing from Giannis’ repertoire. While most think this is some sort of strategy from their head coach, Mike Budenholzer, he has denied the same.

Giannis’ impressive game so far

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The Reigning MVP hasn’t even attempted a single shot from the arc in the Bucks’ past two games. After crushing the Indiana Pacers 130-110, he went 0-0. Interestingly, he registered similar numbers in the blowout victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, this wasn’t planned at all.

As per ‘The Athletic’s’ Eric Nehm, “Budenholzer told us Antetokounmpo not attempting a 3-pointer in consecutive games for the first time during his tenure in Milwaukee was not any sort of directive from him. Instead, it just sort of happened organically.”

Budenholzer told us Antetokounmpo not attempting a 3-pointer in consecutive games for the first time during his tenure in Milwaukee was not any sort of directive from him.
Instead, it just sort of happened organically.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 4, 2021

Despite this, Mike is content with the way Giannis has been playing.

“I just think he’s playing really, really unselfishly. He’s seeing things and making the right read and the right passes. I just think he’s in a great place mindset-wise.

“He’s aggressive and attacking when it’s needed, and he’s finding his teammates and finding opportunities for everybody else when it’s needed. He’s playing at a really high level,” he explained.

"He's aggressive and attacking when it's needed and he's finding his teammates and finding opportunities for everybody else when it's needed. He's playing at a really high level." – Bud on @Giannis_An34 https://t.co/iupXUq2rTt
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 4, 2021

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Should this be a concern for Milwaukee Bucks?

When playing against the Charlotte Hornets, Giannis went 0-4 from downtown, which might be the reason for his hesitation to shoot three’s. But not dropping shots from the arc doesn’t have a negative implication on his game.

Against the Pacers, he finished with a triple-double performance of 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 31 minutes. Giannis may be one of the best players in the league, but his three-point shooting is subpar. His opponents prefer he takes shots from the deep than near the basket where he is surely going to score.

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Yashima Bhatia is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports who specialises in providing nuanced predictions and updates for matches. She has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Yashima's love for playing the game came up at a young age, when the excitement of the games coupled with the intensity of the Playoffs had her hooked.

Bucks’ Head Coach Opens up on Giannis Antetokounmpo Not Making Any 3-Pointers in Last Two Games

Giannis’ impressive game so far

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Should this be a concern for Milwaukee Bucks?