Giannis Antetokounmpo has built his career on growth. Over the last decade, he has gone from a skinny teenager drafted out of Greece to a two-time MVP and one of the most dominant players in NBA history. But this season, he’s preparing for something different: carrying the Milwaukee Bucks not just as a scorer, but as their main creator.
The Bucks shook up their roster this offseason in a move that surprised much of the league. The front office decided to waive and stretch Damian Lillard, which opened the door to sign center Myles Turner. Turner should replace the defensive and floor-spacing role once filled by Brook Lopez, but losing Lillard leaves Milwaukee without a go-to playmaker.
That job now belongs to Antetokounmpo. He made it clear he’s ready to handle it. “To get the best out of the team and to get the best out of me, I have to be a creator,” he told The Athletic. “If I have the ball in my hands and I have that green light to create, I don’t always have to execute, but I have to feel like I’m creating.”
Giannis is shifting from finisher to floor general
While Antetokounmpo has long been known as one of the league’s most unstoppable scorers in the paint, his playmaking has been steadily improving. Last year, he tied a career-high by averaging 6.5 assists per game. Late in the season, he handed out 20 assists in a single game against the Philadelphia 76ers-a clear sign that he can set the table as well as finish.
He also showcased that vision this summer during EuroBasket, where he nearly posted a triple-double against Spain with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. Those flashes have given the Bucks confidence that their star forward can step into a bigger creative role.
A new balance for Milwaukee
The challenge now is finding balance. Without Lillard, defenses will send more pressure at Antetokounmpo. The Bucks will need him to trust his teammates-Turner stretching the floor, Khris Middleton scoring from the wing, and the bench knocking down open shots.
“It’s about balance,”Giannis said. “I can score, but I also need to get everyone involved. That’s the only way we’re going to win.”
For years, Antetokounmpo has added something new to his game every season. Now, his growth is less about adding a skill and more about transforming into the heartbeat of Milwaukee’s offense. If he can pull it off, the Bucks may have found a new way to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference.
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