Giannis Antetokounmpo's Unusual Challenges in Close-Range Scoring in Bucks Film Room
Giannis Antetokounmpo's standout quality is his relentless drive to charge the rim and score effortlessly whenever the Milwaukee Bucks require it. It's his signature move, his go-to technique – something opponents know is coming, yet can't stop. So, when he goes through a rough patch scoring at the basket, it's not just surprising; it's downright startling.
He's been the most dominant finisher since Shaquille O'Neal. From 2018-19 to 2023-24, Antetokounmpo has successfully converted at least 74 percent of his shots within four feet of the hoop every season, as per Cleaning the Glass. In half of those seasons, that number climbed to 77 percent or higher.
We all know about his incredible strength to bulldoze through defenders and slam it home at point-blank range. That's why he's ranked among the top three in total dunks since 2018-19 in the NBA.
His finesse near the rim is his hidden strength.
Antetokounmpo's ability to navigate through traffic, discover creative angles, and finish with either hand sets him apart from other physical marvels. Whether it's twisting past double-teams or scoring over taller defenders, he's a genius at exploiting the tiniest openings near the basket. With the league trending towards taller, longer defenders, this skill set has become even more valuable – and it's why his recent three-game dip has been so jarring.
Over this stretch, Antetokounmpo has missed two dunks and 20 other attempts within five feet of the rim, converting just 55.1 percent of his shots in that range. That's almost 20 points lower than his worst season-long average over the past six years.
It all began on New Year's Eve against the Indiana Pacers, his first game back after an illness.
During the Bucks' initial possession, Giannis tackled Pascal Siakam on the left side of the court, reached the rim, and missed a simple Stockton layup with his right hand.
Minutes later, Khris Middleton fed him on a backdoor cut for an alley-oop. The ball bounced in and out. Although he rallied in the second half to lead Milwaukee to a comeback victory, he ended the game just 6-for-11 on shots within four feet.
Two nights later, the Bucks hosted the Brooklyn Nets, and the struggles continued.
Brooklyn's length made life hard for Giannis on several attempts, but even then, he missed numerous makeable shots.
Two of the most egregious examples came late in the game.
Milwaukee was trying to mount a furious comeback and trailed by six with 1:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. Antetokounmpo received a pass from Damian Lillard at the top of the key. He used a Pat Connaughton screen to get wide open and took off toward the free throw circle for an uncontested dunk. Only, he launched too far, and it clanked off the back of the rim.
He had a chance to make amends on the final possession. Down by one with less than 12 seconds remaining, Damian Lillard set a screen for Antetokounmpo this time. It didn't help, but he drove to the right side of the hoop and attempted a layup off the glass to no avail. He walked away from that game 10-for-18 around the rim.
By Saturday, the Bucks were hoping for a fresh start against the Portland Trail Blazers. Instead, Giannis' struggles persisted. Portland rookie Donovan Clingan provided solid rim protection, but Giannis missed numerous shots he usually swishes with ease. He ended the game 11-for-20 around the rim, and the Bucks suffered a shocking 105-102 loss at home.
When the dust settled on this three-game streak, Antetokounmpo had converted just 27 of 49 attempts within five feet – a dismal 55.1 percent. For comparison, his worst full-season mark in this range since 2016-17 was 74 percent. This wasn't just a slight dip; it was a bizarre outlier.
The frustrations have been evident, and it's understandable why. It's been a tough two years for both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, with playoff disappointments and significant roster changes weighing on their minds. This slump is simply another layer of adversity.
But if there's one thing Giannis has demonstrated throughout his career, it's his resilience. He's battled through injuries, criticism, and the immense pressure of lifting a small-market team to championship contention. These problems near the rim are unlikely to linger.
For now, they serve as a rare reminder that even the league's most unstoppable force is human.
Despite his history of converting at least 77% of his shots within four feet of the hoop in half of his seasons, Antetokounmpo has recently struggled, missing two dunks and 20 other attempts within five feet, resulting in a 55.1% conversion rate.
This slump in finishing around the basket, which is nearly 20 points lower than his worst season-long average, has been unexpected and alarming for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
