After a calf injury cut his last NBA season short, Giannis Antetokounmpo prepares for the NBA season in every way possible—yes, even with Pilates in Greece—his summer, particularly his Olympic performance, has generated excitement and anticipation among Milwaukee Bucks fans.
This is how Giannis Antetokounmpo is preparing for a new NBA season 😳🇬🇷
📸 pilatestouch/Instagram pic.twitter.com/ChZVZ57G8e
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) September 18, 2024
That’s because his ability to lead and perform at such a high level, especially after recovering from that injury that sidelined him at the end of the previous NBA season, was on full display. It indicates his health and readiness to lead the Bucks back to the NBA Finals.
From Injury to Dominance: Giannis’ Olympic Play Reassures Bucks Fans
Looking back on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Bucks fans had only one thing in mind: the performance of the “Greek Freak” with his national team. After not playing since his calf injury in Milwaukee’s victory against the Celtics on April 9, there was uncertainty about his readiness.
While he excelled in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, beating Luka Dončić´s Slovenia and Dario Šarić´s Croatia along the way, the intensity and matchups of the Olympics posed a different challenge.
Group Stage Highlights: Greece´s Fight for Olympic Glory
Greece faced Canada in a challenging matchup in their opening game, losing 79-86. Giannis’ performance was impressive, scoring 34 points on 11-of-17 shooting (65%) and grabbing 5 rebounds. Despite a slow start, Greece mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to just 2 points. However, Canada, led by top players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, executed an impressive defensive strategy while the NBA duo simultaneously combined for 44 points.
In a hard-fought battle against Spain, Greece lost 77-84. Giannis scored 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting (71%) and recorded 11 rebounds. Despite a strong start, Greece fought hard, but Spain’s “Box and 1” defense limited Giannis and disrupted Greece’s flow. They managed to tie the game at 71-71 but struggled to create open shots. Spain’s timely adjustments sealed their victory, illustrating Greece’s need for cohesive offensive play.
In the third and final group game Greece secured a crucial 77-71 victory over Patty Mills´ Australia, with a strong team effort keeping their Olympic hopes alive. Giannis played a pivotal role, contributing 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting (73%) and 7 rebounds. Coach Vassilis Spanoulis’ strategic adjustments to the starting lineup allowed Giannis to thrive as a center, reaffirming his fitness and readiness for the challenges ahead.
Throughout the three group-stage games, Giannis averaged just over 33 minutes per game out of a possible 40, further confirming that he has fully overcome his injury and is prepared for the demands of the upcoming NBA season.
Do-or-Die Drama against Germany
In the quarterfinals, Greece faced a strong German team, ultimately losing 63-76. Giannis led the team with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting (64%). While Greece had a strong first half and executed a solid defensive plan, they struggled to deliver offensively in the second half. Germany’s depth and effective lineup, featuring key players like Franz Wagner, capitalized on Greece’s struggles, demonstrating the challenges they faced against a well-coordinated opponent who is also currently ranked No. 3 in the FIBA World Ranking.
Bucks Fans Should Be Excited With Giannis’ Injury Behind Him
While Giannis’ Olympic performance was consistently impressive, averaging over 25 points per game, it’s essential to recognize the differences between international competitions and the NBA. Given the varying style of basketball, court dimensions, and rules, it’s important to avoid directly comparing his performance at the Olympics and his contributions in the league.
Nevertheless, there is one valuable takeaway for fans to consider. As we look ahead to the NBA season, the key insight for Bucks fans is that Giannis’ Olympics performance indicates he has fully recovered from his injury and is ready to compete at the highest level—right where he left off on April 9th, setting the stage for exciting times ahead in Milwaukee.
