Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game creation skills are on display in the last triple-double for the Milwaukee Bucks

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1:00 AM ET

  • Eric WoodyardESPN

The NBA head coach, in a row, came out on Wednesday night.

In 31 minutes, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was almost perfect, recording a triple-double to three-quarters for the fourth time in his career.

So he took on a new role as a team photographer.

While sitting on the sidelines, Antetokounmpo picked up the camera from Bucks content director Nick Monroe to capture some footage of his squad ending a 130-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers visitors.

“It was like, it would be a good idea to take some pictures [my brother and teammate] Thanasis and make it look good, “Antetokounmpo explained.” So I was trying to have fun and be in the moment. “

However, when Antetokounmpo was in the game, he was the center of attention, especially as a game creator.

Antetokounmpo would end the night with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as he went 7 for 8 from the field. During the third quarter, he also overtook Quinn Buckner by fourth place on the Bucks ’all-time attendance roster.

“Because he has the ability to shoot and find shooters, it almost makes him unstoppable,” said teammate Bryn Forbes, who finished with 20 points and four triples off the bench.

Antetokounmpo proves the maturity of this ability to attack in different ways on any particular night. Against the Pacers, he saw no need to force the problem, as the Bucks connected on 21 3-point field goals, which was the fifth-time franchise record they made 20 or more 3s in a game this season. .

“It’s a new thing,” Antetokounmpo said. “Probably last year and the year before and the year before I’m going to play a game and I’m too stubborn not to be at my best every night and I try to pass for guys. Three guys keep me and I still try to get into painting “I think this is just a step towards that leadership.”

Here’s a more detailed look at four moments from Monday’s contest that showed Antetokounmpo’s ability to impact the game without attacking just the paint.

First quarter (8:45 to play)

Antetokounmpo opened the game aggressively, with five points, five rebounds and three assists in the first seven minutes. In this pick-and-roll situation, he spotted teammate Brook Lopez to get an open three-point triple instead of forcing himself into the paint against numerous defenders.

Third quarter (9:15 to play)

Faced with a mismatch from former teammate Malcolm Brogdon who defended him in charge, Antetokounmpo took the time to acknowledge that Pacers center-back Myles Turner, the league’s leading shooting blocker, was coming to help. Antetokounmpo remained patient and found a Lopez cutting below the edge for an open basement.

“I think he plays very, very selflessly,” said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. “He’s seeing things and doing the right reading, the right passes and I just think he’s in a great place, mentally. He’s aggressive and he attacks when needed, he finds his teammates and he finds opportunities for everyone when he needs to. He’s really playing. at a high level “.

Third quarter (5:13 to play)

Indiana kept on defending the area, but Antetokounmpo made an unassuming pass to Jrue Holiday below the edge to throw the defense just a fraction of a second, before cutting into the basket for an end to give. -go with a thunder, a jam delivered.

“For him, what’s great in my eyes is that he has to stay aggressive. I think when he’s aggressive, he helps us all. And it’s not necessarily just aggressive to score the ball, but every time he gets into that. painting, you get someone with an open disposition or someone with an open 3, ”said Donte DiVincenzo, Bucks guard. “He’s understanding it; he’s finding guys in his place who like him. But I also think he’s doing a good job mixing it up and attacking the edge and going down a bit and not just letting the defense get it so fast.”

Third quarter (49.5 seconds to play)

Antetokounmpo’s tenth assist came after taking an offensive rebound for a foul by Pat Connaughton. Again, Antetokounmpo threw the defense jumping up as if attempting a shot, before finding Bobby Portis in the corner to open wide. He scored or helped on 49 points, while the Pacers scored 63 points as a team when he was on the court, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

With new teammates and a new system, this is a whole new approach for Antetokounmpo, who is still getting used to the Bucks, who are now 13-8 overall. Still, he pledges to sacrifice for the bigger goal of advancing further in the playoffs.

“Last year it seemed to me, and the year before, that to win I had to be at my best,” Antetokounmpo said. “I have to be 30, 35 … 25, 20 and 10 or whatever. Be everywhere; do everything. But now I think our team is a great team; and this year, if the my team needs me to pass the ball, I have to pass the ball “.

“Next year may be different,” he added. “The team may need me to go crazy every night, but I think that’s getting mature. Obviously I’m still young. I’m 26, but 26 is over 25 and 24, and I like it a little bit. I like to be in a good place, play the right game and watch my teammates have fun, but in the end, we always have to win the game, I’m here to win games, I’m not here to mess up and all that “.

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