The Milwaukee Bucks are entering a new era. Following a disappointing first-round playoff exit and the parting of ways with Damian Lillard, many speculated whether Giannis Antetokounmpo might be the next to go.
The Lakers had been credited with an interest. However, the franchise has made it clear: Giannis isn’t going anywhere – and he’s taking on more responsibility than ever.
As Milwaukee reshapes its roster, General Manager Jon Horst has thrown full support behind Antetokounmpo embracing a hybrid role: part power forward, part floor general.
The two-time MVP has long been known for his dominance in the paint, but now the Bucks are counting on him to drive the offense in a more traditional playmaking sense.
Over the years, Giannis has flirted with playmaking duties. But with the departure of Lillard, the Bucks are going all-in on the idea of Giannis as a central offensive initiator.
A new phase of Giannis’ career
This shift is not entirely experimental. According to Horst, it’s a natural progression based on Giannis’ development.
“I feel like we’ve always played with a certain type of guard,” Horst said. “Typically a guard that’s willing to catch and shoot, a guard that is capable of being a primary playmaker, but doesn’t need to be a primary playmaker.”
This strategy leans into the strengths of previous successful Bucks rosters, which were built around spacing and flexibility. Horst highlighted how the most effective lineups have featured guards who thrive off the ball and can complement Giannis’ skill set.
“They’re capable and willing defenders, and they could go five, six, seven possessions and just play off Giannis, or they can go five, six, seven possessions and they can initiate our offense,” Horst continued.
This interchangeable style of play has helped Milwaukee remain competitive in a tough Eastern Conference. But this season, the Bucks are going further.
“And that’s what we’ve tried to do. We tried to build a team like that this offseason,” Horst explained. “Take the opportunity for Giannis to go even more down that road. I would say we’ve always doubled down on it, maybe we’re tripling down or quadrupling down on it now.”
Giannis’ evolution as a playmaker has been crucial. His ability to generate high-quality looks from beyond the arc for teammates has improved dramatically, and so has his decision-making with the ball in hand.
“He just continues to grow at such a high rate in generating 3-point shots for his teammates. It’s elite. His decision-making is elite. His turnover game is reducing,” Horst noted.
A true point forward
The Bucks’ shift is as much about Giannis’ individual growth as it is about team structure. His transition into a true point-forward has been gradual, but deliberate.
“He truly is becoming a real point guard – or a real point forward, like Doc calls it,” Horst said. “So I think that allows us to dive even deeper into it than we have in the past, but I think those have always been some of our most successful lineups and groups.”
With the floor spaced by shooters and supported by savvy ball movers, Giannis can dominate on his terms.
“Putting him out there with a bunch of shooters and ball movers and let him just dominate. You stop him, he passes it. You don’t, he dunks it. And I feel like we’ve got a number of those guys,” Horst added.
As Milwaukee retools for another deep postseason run, all eyes will be on Giannis – not just as a force in the paint, but as the strategic brain of the offense. The Bucks’ future isn’t just built around Giannis’ power, but now, his vision.
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