”The moment he got аggressive, I don’t think they really had much for him.”

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been in the league long enough to recognize what defensive coverage is being used on him on any given night. And while his younger self might have relied on brute strength and bravado to power through the said defense, the veteran forward now has a more nuanced approach.

Trying to pick his spots

Giannis was having a muted night against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, scoring just 12 points on five attempts in the first three-quarters of action. But with the game hаnging in the balance, the “Greek Freak” knew it was time to tighten up his laces and take over.

Using a combination of strength, agility, and guile, Giannis was able to power through the Bulls’ defense, routinely getting to the rim for tough layups or drawing enough contact for trips to the free-throw line. He finished with 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime in the Bucks’ 133-129 overtime win.

Antetokounmpo’s fellow superstar and teammate Damian Lillard marveled at his teammate’s ability to flip the switch and take control of the ballgame.

“I think he was just trying his best to move the ball because we don’t always move the ball well, so he was playing it almost a little bit passive,” Lillard said.

“The moment he got аggressive, I don’t think they really had much for him.”

Played coy

Lillard explained that Giannis’ strategy to lay low until the fourth probably benefited him as the defense was lulled into a false sense of security.

“I think how he kind of wasn’t as аggressive from the beginning probably played to his favor because they relaxed a little bit, and then it was just like boom, downhill, layup, foul,” Lillard said.

More than anything, having a player of Giannis’ skill and winning mentality helps ease the pressure on the Bucks’ shoulders, especially in crunch time. Lillard knows this well, especially on Monday when he shot just 3-of-17 from the field.

“Anytime you’re on the floor with a player as great as he is, it’s obviously a luxury to have out there.”