Mission stays the same vs. Giannis
C’s road always seems to run through Bucks’ star
The postseason road always seems to comes back to Giannis Antetokounmpo for the current generation of Celtics.
In the first round in 2018 — the “Drew Bledsoe” series — the Celtics needed seven games to get past the young Bucks star on their way to the conference finals. They reengaged a year later in the conference semifinals, with the Celtics opening with a 112-90 Game 1 win and collapsing over the next four games.
“It always comes back to Giannis,” Al Horford said with a laugh this week.
The Celtics are about to face the Bucks, starting with Game 1 of the conference semifinals Sunday afternoon in the Garden, for the third time in five years, and despite leaving for two years, Horford has been on the Celtics roster for all three series.
And as he knows better than anyone, the Celtics have to fortify — build a wall, in the most non-political sense of that phrase — against Antetokounmpo’s powerful attack. In the previous series, against Chicago, the lane parted like butter whenever he slashed through.
The Celtics are different — elite defensively, especially now that Rob Williams is ramping back up after his early return from knee surgery. The Time Lord’s presence could make an enormous difference in this series.
“It helps tremendously, because when everyone goes to the basket, if Rob is in the game, they’re thinking about it,” said Horford. “They’re thinking about it. Even if they don’t see him, Rob has the ability to cover so much ground and be there when they feel that they have something. Rob is there, it’s huge for us.
“He frees all of us, but in particular myself. I’m much more confident being able to go help, and knowing he’ll hold down the paint. I know he’s gonna be there for me. It’s a luxury that we have, and we went some weeks there playing without him — (Daniel) Theis did a good job, but Rob is very different from what he brings. It does give me more freedom to be able to go out there and roam.”
Even if Antetokounmpo has since added a steady 3-pointer, two MVP awards and an NBA title to his stillyoung legacy, the book on guarding him is still generally the same as it was in Game 1, 2019.
The Celtics built their wall — Semi Ojeleye was there as the Giannis specialist — and in Game 1 not only held the Bucks to 90 points, but made Antetokounmpo pay for his 22 points. He needed 21 shots (7-for-21) to get there.
His added effectiveness from mid-range and beyond the arc now make Antetokounmpo a near-impossible assignment — at least if only one player is out there on an island.
“I remember the game plan we wanted to execute, we did a really good job with it,” he said of the Game 1 win. “Defensively we were in the places we needed to be, and then on offense I remember us really moving the ball really well, getting a lot of good looks. Starting Game 2 we did some of those same things, but then we steered away from it, as the game went on and they went on a run, and then after that we never recovered.
“I think it’s fair to say you have to go at it the same way now against him, because he’s the kind of player who puts pressure on the rim, and back then it was essentially the same thing,” said Horford. “The only thing now is he’s actually shooting the ball more, and it’s not one of those that you don’t have to challenge. You have to respect it. We’re aware of that.”
Antetokounmpo figured it out soon enough in 2019. He averaged an even 30 points on 69% shooting (45-for-65) shooting over the last four games. Getting it right for one night obviously wasn’t the point. His frustration only lasted for one night.
“I would hope we did make him frustrated — that’s the type of team we are,” said Marcus Smart. “Frustrate people and get them out of their comfort zone. Whatever that takes — 10 minutes, 20, all 48. Whatever it is, we’re going to continue to come, just like they are. They’re going to continue to come and be physical. It’s going to be a good series, and we just have to continue to be who we are.
“It was literally a team effort (in Game 1, 2019), just knowing our personnel and really playing to our strengths, and that’s team basketball at both ends of the floor,” he said. “You definitely have to build a wall against Giannis — seven-plus feet, he’s athletic, he doesn’t need a lot of room to get to the basket. Two steps and he’s at the rim. If he can just run through there like a gazelle, it’s going to be real easy for him. Nobody can stop him, so you have to build the wall and show a crowd. That’s still our plan — it’s pretty much anyone’s plan.”
With a few complications, like Antetokounmpo’s eventual arrival as one of the most dangerous, most balanced offensive talents in the world.
“His playmaking is even more,” said Smart. “He’s finding guys, allowing those guys to open up the floor more for himself. His handle’s even better, allows him to handle pressure better. Every year Giannis has gotten better — he’s knocking down his free throws more, he’s hitting jump shots. He’s adding little things each and every year.”
But Antetokounmpo’s improved and more consistent range aside, the book hasn’t changed. Teams still want to make him shoot.
“We still want to keep him away from the rim, of course, that’s our big priority, easier said than done. But that’s where we need to be,” said Horford.
Smart nodded.
“I think anyone would tell you they want Giannis to shoot the ball rather than drive the ball, just because of his athleticism and what he can do in that space,” said the Celtics point guard. “Want to make everything tough, whether he’s shooting jumpers or he’s driving. If he wants to shoot jumpers, we’ll let him shoot jumpers. If he wants to drive, we’ll have bodies there for him. Just try to do our best on him.”