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Giannis Antetokounmpo laments the Milwaukee Bucks' defensive approach for Jimmy Butler
A long offseason awaits Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Milwaukee Bucks after their magnificent season, and title aspirations were torn to shreds by Jimmy Butler and the rest of the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Giannis has made no secret of his disappointment at the Bucks' defensive efforts against Butler, who scorched them for a career-high 56 points in Game 4 and averaged 37.6 points per game throughout the series. The two-time MVP believes that they could have done more to slow down Butler's offensive onslaught, saying: "At the end of the day, I wish I could've guarded him more."
Make some adjustments
Giannis’ absence in two of the five games played a significant role in the Bucks’ demise in the first round. A two-way player of the highest degree, his presence on the court could have helped to limit Butler’s scoring output and perhaps even given the Bucks a better chance of winning the series.
Alas, Giannis injured his back early in the series opener and then went on to miss Games 2 and 3. Still, Giannis believes their coverage of the wily wingman could have been more varied and effective.
"I don't know, double-team him more, try to make him pass the ball," Antetokounmpo said. "Maybe switch the matchup for a little bit, give Jrue (Holiday) a break. I don't think as a team we made the right adjustment) or we didn't make as many adjustments as we could have against him," shared the Greek Freak.
No excuses
Proof of Giannis’ comments lies in the stats. According to data from ESPN, Milwaukee sent an extra man to cover Butler just seven times all series. Four of those times happened in Game 4 when Butler burned them for 56. In Game 5? The Bucks did not send a single double-team toward Butler. Still, Giannis remained respectful of the coaching staff’s decisions, saying:
"Out of respect, you've got to let the coach make the adjustment," Antetokounmpo said. "We have our best defender on him, but obviously, there's a conversation, whenever he gets tired, I can take him.”
