Greek Freak poses huge challenge for Raptors
The Toronto Raptors saw quite enough of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the playoffs a couple of years ago.
The Greek Freak was dominant and basically did whatever he wanted in that series. Not much has changed in 2018-19.
Antetokounmpo enters Monday’s game against the Raptors in Milwaukee — a battle of the NBA’s two remaining unbeaten clubs — averaging 25 points a game, along with 14.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.
“He’s bigger and stronger than ever,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said of Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee and its superstar have thrived under new head coach Mike Budenholzer, who picked the Bucks over the Raptors despite heavy Toronto interest after Dwane Casey was fired.
The team has the league’s best net rating and is surrendering only 97.8 points per 100 possessions, second only to Boston.
As good as Antetokounmpo has been, he hasn’t done it alone.
Khris Middleton is off to the best start of his career, averaging 21.8 points per game on sizzling 57 per cent shooting from beyond the arc. Brook Lopez has been a nice upgrade in the middle. Eric Bledsoe is healthy and playing well, as is fellow guard Malcolm Brogdon.
Still, it all revolves around the do-everything forward.
For once, the Raptors might have someone who might be able to help: Kawhi Leonard.
“It helps that you have somebody who can match up physically, that can take some of the hits,” Nurse said, noting it’s still a team job to stop Antetokounmpo. A team job that at least becomes a possibility with Leonard, one of the best perimeter defenders in league history.