An Outside-of-the-Box Idea for Bulls Wing Depth: Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Thanasis Antetokounmpo was a second-round pick and relegated to the D-League because of his inconsistent jumper and overall raw game. But, if the Chicago Bulls review his defensive skillset and adjust to his game as a slasher, they might get a diamond in the rough as a future asset on the wing.
A wing defender to help the Bulls match up better with opposing teams’ wings and All-Star guards got me looking off the grid and at Giannis’ older brother: Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
The older Antetokounmpo is a 6’7″ athletic small forward who is also known affectionately as “Greek Freak 2”; a nickname synonymous with Giannis. He put up good numbers in the D-League this past season, scoring 10.9 points on 50.1 shooting and grabbing 4.8 rebounds per game.
Antetokounmpo was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks last year and played for the Knicks Summer League team shortly after. He was relegated to the D-League after Las Vegas.
Later in this past season, Thanasis was invite to the Knicks on a 10-day contract. He was sent back to the D-League partly due to the fact that interim coach Kurt Rambis wanted veterans closing out the season instead of working both Jimmer Fredette and Thanasis into the rotation during their time up from Westchester (New York’s D-League franchise).
Thanasis’ Westchester D-League stint numbers look unimpressive on paper, but in the D-League Playoffs, Greek Freak 2 averaged 25 points and 16 rebounds over two games, shooting over 60 percent from the field.
Thanasis’ skillset as a wing defender is his golden promise. He can turn into a game-changing lockdown wing for the Chicago Bulls off the bench if they pursued him. The Bulls could use a wing defender to run with Justin Holiday and Bobby Portis off the pine. Thanasis is an athletic whirlwind that can fit perfectly while learning to use the movement traps of attacking Hoiball to turn his middling offensive game into something special.
More from Bulls News
- The dream starting 5 for the Chicago Bulls 5 years from now
- Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu inspires the future with new school program
- Chicago Bulls NBA 2K24 full roster ratings, risers, and fallers
- Bulls sign a pair of promising guards to Exhibit 10 contracts
- When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Bulls fans need to know
Thanasis and Portis swarming an opposing point guard and blitzing pick-and-rolls along with Justin Holiday is something Bulls fans could really look forward to after last year’s underwhelming defensive effort from this current roster.
Getting a defensive specialist like Thanasis (who can also heat up like a microwave on offense when he is on) who can be more explosive in an attacking system like Hoiball should not be passed over by GarPax over aging veterans or inexperienced draft picks. Thanasis can play right away and contribute.
Getting pieces that fit Hoiball via a potential Jimmy Butler trade might be a one-shot deal this year if Butler cannot adapt to Hoiball again next season. At times, Butler can hold up the development of the Bulls’ shooters as a more explosive and more efficient offensive set up for the team.
An Antetokounmpo in the Bulls rotation as an high-motor, energy player and inspiring teammate who can try and fill the energetic shoes of Joakim Noah if he leaves for a new franchise this summer. He isn’t as timid as Tony Snell and will perform as aggressively as the team wants from him.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo is a youthful, experienced, athletic wing defender with more than just potential to explode into the Bulls rotation. He may turn out as good as, if not, better than Giannis over time.
Next: Best options for the Bulls at each position in the 2016 NBA Draft
The summer should work out as a very productive recruiting stretch for GarPax to fill out holes in the team.