As the Milwaukee Bucks enter the postseason, all eyes are on their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak has been one of the NBA’s most dominant players in recent years, winning back-to-back MVP awards in 2019 and 2020. But when it comes to the playoffs, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have struggled to reach their full potential.

In the last two seasons, the Bucks have entered the playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, only to be eliminated in the second round. Antetokounmpo has faced criticism for his inability to carry his team deep into the postseason, and his struggles have led many to question his status as a true superstar.

But is this fair criticism? Does Antetokounmpo truly deserve the blame for the Bucks’ playoff woes, or is there more to the story?

First, let’s take a closer look at Antetokounmpo’s playoff performances. In the 2019 postseason, he averaged 25.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 52.2% from the field. However, he struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 25.6% from three-point range. In the second round, the Bucks faced off against the Toronto Raptors, and Antetokounmpo struggled to find his rhythm, averaging just 22.7 points per game on 44.0% shooting. The Bucks ultimately lost the series in six games.

In the 2020 postseason, Antetokounmpo’s numbers improved, as he averaged 26.7 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 55.0% from the field. However, he once again struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 30.4% from three-point range. The Bucks faced off against the Miami Heat in the second round, and Antetokounmpo suffered a scary ankle injury in Game 4 that forced him to miss the rest of the series. Without their superstar, the Bucks were eliminated in five games.

So, while Antetokounmpo’s playoff numbers are certainly impressive, his struggles from three-point range have been a major issue. In today’s NBA, the ability to knock down threes is crucial, especially in the postseason when defenses are more focused and intense. Antetokounmpo’s lack of outside shooting makes it easier for opponents to pack the paint and limit his effectiveness.

But there are other factors at play as well. For one, the Bucks’ supporting cast has not always stepped up in the playoffs. In 2019, Khris Middleton, the team’s second-best player, struggled mightily in the series against the Raptors, shooting just 38.6% from the field and 25.0% from three-point range. In 2020, Middleton played better, but Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez both underperformed, shooting just 37.0% and 31.6% from the field, respectively.

Another factor to consider is coaching. In the 2019 playoffs, the Bucks were coached by Mike Budenholzer, who is known for his offensive system that relies heavily on three-point shooting. While this system worked well in the regular season, it may have been less effective in the playoffs when defenses are more focused and able to key in on certain tendencies. In 2020, Budenholzer made some adjustments, but it was clear that the team was still struggling to adapt to the demands of playoff basketball.