Giannis Antetokounmpo racked up a career-high five 3-pointers during a showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers. Addressing the constant criticism about his struggling jump shot, The Greek Freak showed he can hit big shots in big games, doing so during a nationally-televised game with all eyes on his performance.
The Milwaukee Bucks star had already showed a sense of poise after air-balling a 3-pointer, only to shoot one from further out and make it in the ensuing possession, but his fifth 3-pointer was critical to earning the respect of Lakers' defense that threatened to close the gap.
Antetokounmpo received the ball from a Donte DiVincenzo defensive rebound, dribbled up court, measured the distance between him and Anthony Davis and corked out a wing 3-pointer that put the Bucks ahead 98-84 with 9:07 remaining.
“I knew off the rebound … ,” Antetokounmpo said of that moment, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “I was just coming down, hoping that he was like two steps back. I wanted to pull-up for three. It’s a momentum play. I was in foul trouble. I just wanted to be aggressive. Miss or make, it doesn’t really matter. It’s all about the confidence and having the mindset to take that shot.”
Antetokounmpo made five of his eight attempts, a career-high and a step in the right direction, as he addresses the one flaw that is keeping him from dominating the game. He's making only 33.8% of his shots from deep, but he's taking 5.2 per game — a stark change from his previously-reluctant self in past seasons.
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