This season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was the only player second player to average more than 30 points in the regular season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32.7 while the Bucks star finished with 30.4 points per game. His exploits continued in the postseason in game 1 against the Pacers, but it wasn’t enough to help them win the tie. So, where is the problem? TNT analyst Charles Barkley broke down the analysis and also pointed out another team suffering from the same fate.
First of all, Chuck made the revelation about watching all the playoff round 1 games, which caught his crew by surprise. During the recent broadcast of Inside the NBA, they were reviewing the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics game led to the 76ers legend highlighting Giannis Antetokounmpo’s struggles. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 36 points and 11 rebounds but was unable to help his team at the TD Garden. With the similarity, Chuckster highlighted his issue.
“They just get a ball to Giannis, Paolo, there’s no ball movement. There’s no body movement,” said Barkley. “And I was sitting there, I’m like you got Giannis, who’s arguably the best player in the world, and y’all ain’t run to any plays. Y’all just give him the ball and let him go one-on-one, and he scores a lot cuz he’s great. But they can make life so much easier.”
It’s the same broadcast where the Greek Freak earned the MVP finalist award nomination along with SGA and Nikola Jokic. Notably, it’s the same issue that Charles Barkley noticed with the Orlando Magic, who failed to score 100 against the Celtics. “And the same thing with Banchero. They just give him the ball and say, ‘Hey score’. And like he going to get you numbers but nobody else can get in rhythm, cuz you go back and look at one of those Play-in games last week.”
That’s when Chuck suggested that the introduction of Cole Anthony helped the team increase their pace and get everybody involved. In the Play-in game, the point guard played 20 minutes and scored 26 points. While against the Celtics, he would feature off the bench for just 10 minutes. So, maybe Magic brings in that change and hopes to draw the series 1-1.
Charles Barkley’s opinion on Giannis Antetokounmpo is not new
It felt like déjà vu from last year’s 4 to 2 heartbreak. Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, doing everything he could. However, without Damian Lillard, Indiana squished the pressure. Traps, double teams, and cold shooting led to just 2 of 16 from deep in the first half and 9 of 37 by the end.
Mar 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates with Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Charles Barkley had previously aired the same issue about the Bucks star last year on Bill Simmons’ podcast: “Giannis has to get better as a basketball player. Just going downhill 1-on-5 isn’t going to work. It doesn’t work and he’s a terrific player and a terrific kid, but he has to get better as a basketball player. I’m not a Milwaukee guy.” But the other members of the team also have to step up, especially Kyle Kuzma.
He had a night to forget, as he missed all 5 shots and both free throws. Unable to find his rhythm despite the stage. No rebounds, no assists, no steals, no blocks — just two drawn fouls to his name. Maybe that’s why Giannis is taking all the responsibility, as his teammates are finding it difficult to respond.
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