Antetokounmpo s mid-range shooting percentage has improved, but his free throw percentage is still not good.

In the 2025 season, Antetokounmpo averaged 4.2 shots per game, 1.9 hits, and a hit rate of 44.2%; compared to the 2024 season, he averaged 2.4 shots per game, with a hit rate of 0.8, and a hit rate of 35.1%.

There is a qualitative improvement in the number of shots, hits and hit rate.

But let's look at another set of data:

In the 25 season, he averaged 0.9 three-point attempts per game, hit 0.2, and hit 22.2%. His career averaged 2.2 three-pointers per game, hit 0.6, and hit 28.4%.

In the 2025 season, he averaged 10.6 free throws per game, hitting 6.5 times, with a shooting percentage of 61.7%. Throughout his career, he averaged 8.3 free throws per game, hitting 5.8 times, with a shooting percentage of 69.3%.

It is not difficult for us to draw conclusions:

1. Antetokounmpo gave up the three-point line and concentrated his shots in the mid-range area.

This is undoubtedly a very wise choice.

Because mid-range shots and three-pointers are two different ways of exerting force.

Of course, if you are a top shooter such as Curry or Durant, they have top shooting talents and can be adjusted very well.

When your shooting talent is not top-notch, the best way is to strengthen muscle memory through continuous training.

James is one of the representatives. Relying on muscle memory, he even increased his three-point shooting percentage to 41% in the 25th season.

In order to strengthen this memory, he even weakened the number of mid-range shots. This is a choice.

Westbrook is a typical counterexample. He has poor shooting talent. In addition to practicing mid-range shots and three-pointers, he also adds a rebound shot, which inevitably confuses muscle memory.

This is also the reason why he stopped playing on the timer after his physical condition declined. He uses insufficient talent but wants to control three ways of exerting force.

Antetokounmpo has been practicing three-point shooting in the past few years, but he feels like he can't get it right no matter how hard he practices. His three-point shooting rate in a single season has never exceeded 31%, which has caused interference in his efforts.

So in the 2025 season, he gave up three-pointers, and his shots were basically mid-range shots.

For a star like him who focuses on breakthroughs, having appropriate shooting ability can reduce physical exertion. If it is impossible to improve the three-point level, choosing mid-range shooting is the best choice.

He specially trained for this.

Antetokounmpo said: "I have been practicing hard, and my teammates are passing the ball to me. I have to shoot, because it is less taxing on the body. I have to shoot. "

He has invested in shooting training throughout the summer in order to overcome the technical shortcomings that have long troubled him.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers plans to have him stand more at the elbows on both sides of the paint during the offense.

He returned to Greece with a special training plan and listed mid-range shooting as the focus of offseason training. He also specially invited Bucks assistant Vin Baker and technical coach Drew Hanlen to go to his hometown training facility.

Together they made some adjustments to Antetokounmpo's shooting movements. Let him focus on taking off vertically and releasing on the way up, rather than releasing at the top of his jumper like he has in the past.

In short, he gradually gave up the idea of ​​2 motion and gradually turned to 1 motion or 1.5 motion.

Next, let’s talk about shooting posture first:

The characteristics of shooting take-off are divided into 1motion, 2motion and 1.5motion in between.

1 motion: Pay attention to the combination of jump shots and use the power of take-off (before reaching the highest point) to complete the shot, represented by Curry. The advantage is that the shot is quick and the leg strength is fully utilized; the disadvantage is that the shot point is low and easy to be interfered.

2 motion: Separation of jumping and shooting, jumping to the highest point and then pausing for a moment before shooting, represented by Jordan, Kobe, and Ray Allen. The advantage is that it takes off with full force, has a high release point, is difficult to be disturbed, and can complete the shot under harsh conditions; the disadvantage is that it relies on the explosive power of the legs to take off, but the shot completely relies on the finger and wrist strength to stop the air for a moment, which requires high physical fitness and physical fitness.

1.5 motion: It is somewhere in between. Jump to the highest point and then shoot. It has the advantages of using leg strength in 1 motion and the high release point of 2 motion. It is represented by Klay, Irving, and Durant.

From a visual point of view, 1.5 motion exerts force downward and upward, while 2 motion exerts force from back to front.

Antetokounmpo has an obvious height advantage and a long wingspan. The uniqueness of his shooting posture makes it difficult for defenders to block shots. According to ESPN research data, Antetokounmpo's average wrist height when shooting two-pointers in the 25th season reached 9.29 feet (about 2.83 meters), second only to Bunyama.

In addition, most of his opponents adopt a defensive mode of "shooting but not bursting", so he often appears in a semi-open state when shooting.

In this case, Antetokounmpo does not need to deliberately pursue 2 motion, a shooting mode suitable for avoiding interference, but using 1 motion or 1.5 motion is more conducive to the surprise of shooting.

Considering that his shot is too slow and his forward swing is too long, his shooting mode is closer to 1.5 motion.

His mid-range shots are not only dribbling pull-up shots, but also many golden rooster independent and turn-over jump shots, which are similar to 2 motion.

Antetokounmpo gave up three-pointers, strengthened the mid-range shot, optimized the way of exerting force, and modified the shooting posture. On the one hand, it reflects Antetokounmpo's excellent strategic decision-making ideas, and at the same time, it also reflects his diligence and hard work. He deserves these achievements..

2. Antetokounmpo’s free throw shooting percentage always fails to improve

Logically speaking, Antetokounmpo’s mid-range shooting area overlaps with the free throw area, so why can’t his free throw shooting improve?

Personally think:

First, the mentality problem in a high-pressure competition environment interferes with his free throw shooting level.

Secondly, the free throw was taken in a completely open position without confrontation, which made him unable to find his shooting rhythm.

Thirdly, he has had problems with free throw timeouts for many years, which may cause psychological fluctuations and affect his feel.