This is a pretty interesting take and I'm really not sure how I personally think about it. My first thought is that regardless of the stats, Giannis is still one of the biggest stars of the game and for sure the biggest star on the Bucks. However, when the game is on the line it seems like the Bucks want the ball in Middleton's hands. I think this is definitely the right gameplay move for the Bucks as Middleton shoots the three better and is a better free-throw shooter. As we saw with the Sixers and Ben Simmons, free-throw shooting is massive in the crunch time of playoff games.
One thing to note is that it is super interesting to me that Giannis does not seem to seek out the big moments in games. Think back to the Nets series and he never took the game over and stepped up to guard KD while he was en route to dropping a 50 burger on the Bucks. Being out of the Philadelphia area, the only Bucks games I really get to see are the nationally televised ones, but in the games I have seen, I've seen him drop a lot of points but never seen him take over a game like you watch Lebron and KD do. As Kendrick Perkins mentioned, Giannis still hasn't answered the call. For as wild as some of his takes are, I think I am on Kendrick's side on this one.
Comment below if you agree with Big Perk!
Giannis is the more valuable player, but on the offensive end when facing a situation where the three ball or mid range is the more optimal play, the ball has to find one of the shooters on his team with Middleton being the best % option. I watched Giannis dominate a game against the Celtics earlier this year and then get fouled down 1 with half a second left and miss both free throws, he's the best player on the floor, but why take it on yourself to shoot if you have a top 3 mid range shooter in the league wide open next to you?
This is kind of like the slander Lebron used to receive when he didnt take the final shot. Just like Lebron, Giannis doesnt mind letting someone else take the shot if the other player has a higher percentage of making the shot. Giannis knows his strengths on the offensive end and makes the smarter decision to let Middleton takeover. Though I would like to see Giannis step up on the defensive end in crunch time.
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