Rumors of trade are swirling around the future of Giannis Antetocomo in Milwaukee.
However, Doc Rivers has already created a master plan for next season. He appears to be ignoring rumors that he linked Giannis to Houston or New York.
The Bucks head coach is not waiting for speculation to end. His blueprint focuses on bold experiments that caught everyone off guard last season.
Following Damian Lillard’s injury last season, Rivers made a radical decision. He handed his point guard duties to Giannis, turning the Greek freak into a major Milwaukee ball handler.
The move raised eyebrows throughout the organization. Rivers admits that when the coaching staff proposed the idea, he questioned his sanity.
“We did that by default when we put the ball in Giannis’ hand later this year. I’m this genius and I think, ‘Let’s play Giannis in the guard spot.’ “Rivers said.”
“When I raised it with my coach, they thought I had lost my heart.
“When I raised it with Giannis, he thought I had lost my heart,” Rivers revealed.
The strategy was not planned geniusly, Rivers confessed. Lillard’s injury forced his hand, but the results spoke volumes as the Bucks managed to enter the postseason as the fifth seed of the Eastern Conference.
River has discovered something important about modern NBA defense. The team actively pressures traditional point guards, but no one will ever try Giannis bring the ball to the court.
“He already has the ball in his hand, but as he gets to develop it every time, it eliminates how the whole league is now pressured to the ball.
“No one is putting pressure on Giannis, so even against Indiana, they can develop the pressure on the ball freely,” Rivers explained.
Strategies create domino effects. Giannis is looking for defensive attention and unlocks the Milwaukee shooter for a clean look.
Shooters like Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green and shootings of 3 to 40% will make the interval fatal.
Rivers plans to expand this system next season. The Bucks lack traditional point guards after abandoning Damien Lillard, making Giannis the natural floor general.
Adding Myles Turner gives you the perfect complement. Stretch 5 can shoot three, but Giannis works from the surroundings, creating unprecedented intervals.
“I want to pick it up and build it,” Rivers said with confidence. “The most dangerous guy on our team already had the ball. If you shoot it, it’s where Gary Trent and AJ Green break out for years.”
Milwaukee’s Championship window relies on maximizing Giannis’ unique skill set. Rivers believes they have found the key to maximize the potential of the Bucks roster.