How Giannis Antetokounmpo's combination of height and skill made him an unguardable NBA force
Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the middle of yet another great season. The Milwaukee Bucks star is averaging 31.2 points per game, 11.2 rebounds per game, 5.1 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 53.6% from the field.
He has used his combination of height and skill to establish himself as one of the premier players of the modern generation. The two-time NBA MVP stands at 7'0 while weighing 242 pounds. His ability to attack the basket off the dribble at his size makes Giannis one of the most unstoppable players in the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was the youngest player to be named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, has grown three inches while adding over 50 pounds of muscle since being drafted, allowing him to transform his game entirely. His athleticism at his size makes him one of the most unique players that has ever played in the NBA.
As a result, the player has been named to six All-Star Teams, six All-NBA Teams, and six All-Defensive Teams. The Milwaukee Bucks star has won two MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year, and one NBA Finals MVP after leading the franchise to the 2020-2021 NBA title.
Watch Giannis Antetokounmpo's highlights below:
Giannis Antetokounmpo's height makes him a great two-way player
Giannis Antetokounmpo's greatness is not limited to the offensive side of the ball. The future NBA Hall of Famer has used his height and length to establish himself as one of the best defenders in the league.
Antetokounmpo has been named to five All-Defensive Teams in his career, including in each of the past four seasons, while also winning the 2019-2020 Defensive Player of the Year award.
The 2016-2017 Most Improved Player of the Year has used his size to become one of the few players in the NBA that can protect the rim, defend in the paint, and defend on the perimeter. His combination of height, length, speed, and strength has made him one of the very few seven-footers in NBA history who is capable of staying in front of smaller, quicker players when switched onto them.
While defense is often underrated in the modern NBA, Antetokounmpo's overall game is significantly enhanced by his abilities on the less flashy side of the ball. At just 28 years of age, Giannis has an extensive resume that has already landed him on the NBA's 75th Already Anniversary Team and will only continue to improve.
Watch Giannis Antetokounmpo's defensive highlights from his 2019-2020 Defensive Player of the Year award-winning season below: