This season, Giannis Antetokounmpo is switching things up on the court, opting to take more midrange jumpers instead of going for the three-pointers he’s known for. He’s now averaging less than one three-point shot per game, marking his lowest since the 2014-15 season. So far, he’s nailed 102 midrange shots, ranking him fourth in the league.
“I’ve put in the work,” Giannis shared with ESPN. “Opponents are leaving me open, so I’ve got to take the shot. It’s easier on my body. I’ve just got to shoot it, man.”
During the offseason, Antetokounmpo teamed up with skills coach Drew Hanlen to fine-tune his jumper. His aim? To add another element to his offensive game and to minimize the physical wear and tear from frequent contact.
“Now that I’m in my thirties, realistically, I think I’ve got about four to six more years of top-level basketball left in me,” Antetokounmpo reflected. “But to make it count, I need to be smarter in my approach.”
Remarkably, Giannis is shooting for over 30 points per game while taking fewer than one three-pointer each match—a feat not seen since Karl Malone back in the 1989-90 season.
“Shooting a bunch of threes would be fun—I really enjoy taking those shots,” Giannis admitted. “But right now, my team needs something different from me. I’ll hit those big threes if needed, but it’s not where my focus is. I need to be aggressive, set up plays, and consistently hit those 15-footers. If I’ve got 20 open looks from midrange, I’m definitely taking all 20.”
