Antetokounmpo Highlights!! (Will grow to 7 feet)

[theFireBlanket]

Umm, yeah...this is amazing.

'Where amazing i.imgur.com/raVsoKO.jpg

[Badgerlander]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/ ... -surprises

Rookie Watch: Biggest surprises
By David Thorpe

3. Nate Wolters, Bucks



Teams would sign up on the spot if they knew they could find a capable backup point guard in the second round, especially one who could quarterback their team while not turning the ball over. In the past three drafts, only Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas has panned out as a second-rounder who is a capable point guard for his team, with a few guys still being evaluated. (Tyshawn Taylor has a shot in Brooklyn.)

Wolters is still a long way from being a sure thing, but his start is promising. Young guys are asked incessantly to make only easy plays, but almost none of them can do just that, which is why they have high turnover rates and normally low shooting percentages. Wolters is struggling as a shooter but has been possibly better than any other true rookie in years (discounting rookies who were pros in Europe) at doing exactly what he is asked to do: make simple plays and run the offense while making the right reads.

It's true that as teams realize he is a scoring liability they may be better at taking away his passing angles, but as of now he is doing a terrific job of feigning an interest in scoring while really setting up the correct pass to the man in the best position to score. And he is making few mistakes because of that "simple play" execution.

Rookies who showed a heartbeat this past week

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Every great rookie seems to have the one signature play that screams to his coach "you must play me," and Antetokounmpo had that against the Celtics. He raced back on defense to block a shot at the rim (tip of the hat to LeBron and Wade, who have made that such a cool play to try) then immediately raced rim to rim the other way, where he caught a pass at the top of the key and soared to the hoop for a dunk.

Not many wings have the ability to make that play, and fewer have actually done it. Antetokounmpo also showed off some nice passing skills, including a terrific left-hand ball push that resulted in a sweet pass to a teammate for a bucket.

[skones]

It'll be very interesting to see if he ultimately settles into the small forward or power forward position once his body fills out.

[Nebula1]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10072070/biggest-rookie-surprises

Rookie Watch: Biggest surprises
By David Thorpe

3. Nate Wolters, Bucks



Teams would sign up on the spot if they knew they could find a capable backup point guard in the second round, especially one who could quarterback their team while not turning the ball over. In the past three drafts, only Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas has panned out as a second-rounder who is a capable point guard for his team, with a few guys still being evaluated. (Tyshawn Taylor has a shot in Brooklyn.)

Wolters is still a long way from being a sure thing, but his start is promising. Young guys are asked incessantly to make only easy plays, but almost none of them can do just that, which is why they have high turnover rates and normally low shooting percentages. Wolters is struggling as a shooter but has been possibly better than any other true rookie in years (discounting rookies who were pros in Europe) at doing exactly what he is asked to do: make simple plays and run the offense while making the right reads.

It's true that as teams realize he is a scoring liability they may be better at taking away his passing angles, but as of now he is doing a terrific job of feigning an interest in scoring while really setting up the correct pass to the man in the best position to score. And he is making few mistakes because of that "simple play" execution.

Rookies who showed a heartbeat this past week

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Every great rookie seems to have the one signature play that screams to his coach "you must play me," and Antetokounmpo had that against the Celtics. He raced back on defense to block a shot at the rim (tip of the hat to LeBron and Wade, who have made that such a cool play to try) then immediately raced rim to rim the other way, where he caught a pass at the top of the key and soared to the hoop for a dunk.

Not many wings have the ability to make that play, and fewer have actually done it. Antetokounmpo also showed off some nice passing skills, including a terrific left-hand ball push that resulted in a sweet pass to a teammate for a bucket.

Appreciate the post.

Soon the world will be screaming Free Giannis!

[ReddWing]

Bucks really pushing Giannis on Facebook. It seemed like every update was some Giannis highlight.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Sky High]

Bucks really pushing Giannis on Facebook. It seemed like every update was some Giannis highlight.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using RealGM Forums mobile app

It's about all they have to push.

Good to see, though. Love me some Giannis (who doesn't). Looking forward to buying my first Bucks jersey in a long, long time. It finally feels worth it.

[JimmyTheKid]

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Every great rookie seems to have the one signature play that screams to his coach "you must play me," and Antetokounmpo had that against the Celtics. He raced back on defense to block a shot at the rim (tip of the hat to LeBron and Wade, who have made that such a cool play to try) then immediately raced rim to rim the other way, where he caught a pass at the top of the key and soared to the hoop for a dunk.

Not many wings have the ability to make that play, and fewer have actually done it. Antetokounmpo also showed off some nice passing skills, including a terrific left-hand ball push that resulted in a sweet pass to a teammate for a bucket.

Whats funny (sad) is that Giannis has had a number of "you must play me" types of plays well before the block/run the court/dunk vs Boston. But it took an injury to Caron Butler to finally get him a decent amount of meaningful minutes.

[jimmybones]

It'll be very interesting to see if he ultimately settles into the small forward or power forward position once his body fills out.

He's a wing. His body will fill out some, but as emunney pointed out, he could still be in an awkward stage and once he settles in his coordination could improve and he should be an even better ballhandler. Huge, athletic point forward is my long term projection/vision/hope.

[LUKE23]

Yeah, I see no way that Giannis ends up a PF. I think he'd have a better shot of playing SG than PF to be honest.

[DickCunningham]

That's the first time that I've seen that "practice and Palermos" clip. Seems to have a great personality. Praying that this franchise doesn't screw him up.

[ReasonablySober]

I actually think it'd be more beneficial to the Bucks if he does end up at PF.

I look at this quote from Brooks about Durant at the four:

Scott Brooks' lineup creativity has been evident in recent games, with the Thunder coach routinely trotting out a three-point-guard look in crunch time.

But it's not the three point guards — Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson and Derek Fisher — who benefit the most.

Brooks thinks it may actually be Kevin Durant.

“I think it allows KD to give them a very difficult matchup,” Brooks explained. “When he's at the (power forward spot), he can guard basically every position on the floor. So it allows us to attack offensively. They have to decide, are they going to put a big guy or a shooter on KD? We like our chances with either one.”

The stats back it up.

Of the Thunder's eight most used lineups, the one featuring three guards, Durant at the four and Ibaka:

Westbrook
Jackson
Sefolosha
Durant
Ibaka

has the highest NET this season at +48. It actually doubles the next best lineup (Jackson, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins) at +24. But the third most effective lineup at +23? Another with three guards: Fisher, Westbrook, Jackson, Durant and Ibaka.

[Swan Vox]

Any chance Giannis could turn into an Anthony Davis type? Anyone knowledgable care to compare their skill set?

[LUKE23]

It depends on your roster configuration. To me, assuming Giannis has the requisite ball handling of a small forward, it's advantageous for the entire offense to put him against someone he can easily see over every night out, given his passing ability. Additionally, if Henson's post game continues to develop as it is and as I think it will (he's gone from .497 to .531 TS so far), you can still space the floor adequately assuming your backcourt can shoot. Defensively, I think it works. I just think the Bucks best lineup, assuming they can land a stud talent at 1, 2, or 3 in this draft, will include all three of Giannis/Henson/Sanders.

[ReasonablySober]

It depends on your roster configuration. To me, assuming Giannis has the requisite ball handling of a small forward, it's advantageous for the entire offense to put him against someone he can easily see over every night out, given his passing ability. Additionally, if Henson's post game continues to develop as it is and as I think it will (he's gone from .497 to .531 TS so far), you can still space the floor adequately assuming your backcourt can shoot. Defensively, I think it works. I just think the Bucks best lineup, assuming they can land a stud talent at 1, 2, or 3 in this draft, will include all three of Giannis/Henson/Sanders.

You mean a stud talent at the 1 or 2? The 3 in your scenario is Giannis, right?

[LUKE23]

I think Giannis COULD play 2 or 3, so technically one of the three spots. Preferrably land a PG or SG as BPA in the draft though. I don't think we'll ever see Giannis at the 4 spot, unless they for some reason sour on Henson and want to move him. I think Henson is a starting caliber player as he progresses.

[skones]

It depends on your roster configuration. To me, assuming Giannis has the requisite ball handling of a small forward, it's advantageous for the entire offense to put him against someone he can easily see over every night out, given his passing ability. Additionally, if Henson's post game continues to develop as it is and as I think it will (he's gone from .497 to .531 TS so far), you can still space the floor adequately assuming your backcourt can shoot. Defensively, I think it works. I just think the Bucks best lineup, assuming they can land a stud talent at 1, 2, or 3 in this draft, will include all three of Giannis/Henson/Sanders.

With Giannis in at the power forward position as opposed to the three, you would potentially be pulling a rim protector away from the hoop, opening up the floor for the offense which would greatly benefit Giannis with his ball handling and vision. He certainly has the length for the power forward position, if his strength follows suit, I think he gives your team much more flexibility and matchup problems at the four.

[LUKE23]

I don't think his advantage is nearly as big at the PF spot, due to the fact that it mitigates his height advantage, which hurts his vision in halfcourt sets, and it also would negate any post game he developed. It's not like his speed will be an issue at small forward. The thing that is so intriguing about him is the size at the position. You're taking a ton of that away if you move him to PF. And this is coming from someone who generally agrees that going small (i.e. you have to play Derrick Williams at PF not SF) is the right idea in today's NBA. We have needed a do it all wing forever, and Giannis has that potential.

We'll see what happens. I doubt we ever see him at PF as a full-time position though.

[GrandAdmiralDan]

Of the Thunder's eight most used lineups, the one featuring three guards, Durant at the four and Ibaka:

Westbrook
Jackson
Sefolosha
Durant
Ibaka

has the highest NET this season at +48. It actually doubles the next best lineup (Jackson, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins) at +24. But the third most effective lineup at +23? Another with three guards: Fisher, Westbrook, Jackson, Durant and Ibaka.

But how much of the reason that first lineup doubles the next best lineup is because it takes Kendrick Perkins off the floor in favor of Jackson? That's what sticks out about that lineup to me...


Anyway, I don't have a problem with Giannis playing PF in a small ball lineup. I'm not a big fan of small ball, BUT if the other team is trotting out a small ball lineup and allows you to do it, I'm more ok with it. I really prefer not to see small ball at PF if the other team has a big PF out there.

But I have been screaming for them to give Giannis more minutes this season by letting him get some minutes at PF instead of Udoh, Butler, or Middleton. Surely Giannis' length is going to make him more effective at PF than Butler or Middleton.

[emunney]

I don't think positional designations are really relevant for a player like him. Get one other ball handler and as many shooters on the floor with him as you can without punting on rebounding and interior defense. How the other team decides to defend him is their business.

[ReasonablySober]

Of the Thunder's eight most used lineups, the one featuring three guards, Durant at the four and Ibaka:

Westbrook
Jackson
Sefolosha
Durant
Ibaka

has the highest NET this season at +48. It actually doubles the next best lineup (Jackson, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins) at +24. But the third most effective lineup at +23? Another with three guards: Fisher, Westbrook, Jackson, Durant and Ibaka.

But how much of the reason that first lineup doubles the next best lineup is because it takes Kendrick Perkins off the floor in favor of Jackson? That's what sticks out about that lineup to me...


Anyway, I don't have a problem with Giannis playing PF in a small ball lineup. I'm not a big fan of small ball, BUT if the other team is trotting out a small ball lineup and allows you to do it, I'm more ok with it. I really prefer not to see small ball at PF if the other team has a big PF out there.

But I have been screaming for them to give Giannis more minutes this season by letting him get some minutes at PF instead of Udoh, Butler, or Middleton. Surely Giannis' length is going to make him more effective at PF than Butler or Middleton.

Is it really small ball when Giannis is now bigger than Henson or Ilyasova?