Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo went on record last week to declare himself among the best mid-range players in the NBA alongside DeMar Derozan, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball against Germany during a mens basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
“Once you add that element to your game, they are hard to be guarded,” he said in a video posted by Swish Culture.
“You gotta back off me, even if I don’t make it. I made 46 or 47 percent. You still got to back off me because once I get to the rim, with defense, I still shoot 70 percent. With defense.”
If you are still not believing him, maybe you can take a look at StatMuse’s record of most midrange makes wherein it says that he is second to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
If that is still not believable, check his highlights in his first game ever since they were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks rumors
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) jostles for position under the basket in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Greece faced off with Latvia for a friendly ahead of the EuroBasket 2025 and dominated them, 104-86.
Kristaps Porzingis did not respect Giannis Antetokounmpo in the midrange at all today pic.twitter.com/6ldvTxHblu
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 20, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo is back
Antetokounmpo’s return to action was delayed. He was not able to participate in Greece’s friendlies with Israel, Serbia, and Montenegro. They went 2-1 in that span.
This is because of the reported money/insurance issues between the Hellas Basketball Federation and his NBA team Milwaukee Bucks.
That has been resolved and now, Antetokounmpo is playing like he never missed a beat.
USATSI 23923701
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball against Germany during a mens basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It did not matter to Giannis that he was up against Kristaps Porzingis as he finished with an efficient 25 points and 10 rebounds.
🇬🇷 Giannis erupts for 25 PTS & 10 REB in his summer debut as Greece defeats Latvia in #EuroBasket preparation game@NBA | @Bucks | @HellenicBF
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 20, 2025
EuroBasket 2025 will start on August 28 where Greece is among the top contenders. Antetokounmpo was the last edition’s top scorer but Greece only reached the quarterfinals.
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