Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best in the NBA

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Why Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best basketball player in the NBA: Incredible efficiency

Famous screenwriter Robert Crais once said, “Efficiency and focus are the keys to success.” On Wednesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo was not only focused on the task, but he was also remarkably efficient while executing his game plan.

Having 47 points in a nationally televised game against a team many believe could be waiting for you in the NBA Finals is gutsy enough. Doing so while only missing five shots from the field means you have nerves of steel.

Many of Giannis’ points came inside the paint. He was able to convert 15 of his 19 attempts inside the three-point arc. If Wednesday’s game were an episode of the ’90s video game NBA Jam, the announcer would be heard exclaiming “he’s on fire!” Antetokounmpo was a man on a mission, and the Los Angeles Lakers had absolutely no answer for him.

It’s hard enough to guard Giannis when he’s relying on his usual bag of tricks. However, when he starts knocking down jump shots from three-point land, the other team might as well go back in the locker room.

On Wednesday, he converted three out of four attempts from beyond the arc. While it’s understandable as to why a team would rather live with Giannis shooting three-pointers as opposed to dunking routinely throughout the game, the ease with which he is pulling to trigger is frightening.

If Antetokounmpo becomes a consistent threat from three-point territory, he will officially become a “cheat code.” The rest of the league can only hope that Wednesday’s performance was a mirage, not the new normal.

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