Giannis Antetokounmpo has traded his three-point attempts for more midrange jumpers this season. Antetokounmpo is averaging less than one three-point attempt per game, which is his lowest output since 14-15. Antetokounmpo has made 102 midrange shots, which is fourth in the NBA.
“I’ve worked on it,” Antetokounmpo told ESPN. “Guys are giving it to me. I got to shoot it because it’s less toll on my body. I got to shoot it, man.”
Antetokounmpo worked on his jumper with skills coach Drew Hanlen this past offseason to give himself another offensive weapon and avoid excess contact on his body.
“I’m in my thirties, obviously, [and] I believe that I have four [to] six years, still, of good basketball to give, but I got to be smarter,” Antetokounmpo said. “I got to be smarter in the way I play.”
Antetokounmpo is averaging more than 30 points while attempting less than one three-pointer per game, which hasn’t been done since Karl Malone in 89-90.
“Me shooting a bunch of 3s — which I would love; trust me, I love shooting the ball — but right now, that’s not what my team needs from me,” Antetokounmpo said. “I know I’m going to make big 3s, big shots. But that’s not my main focus. My main focus is to attack, facilitate, get the 15-footers all day long. If I have 20 of them, I’m going to take all 20 of them.”