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It’s protected to say that when it was introduced that Georgios Kalaitzakis was the Milwaukee Bucks choose at sixtieth total, the ultimate choose of the 2021 NBA Draft, most followers needed to instantly go to Google to seek out out who this Greek thriller man was. Not in contrast to what followers needed to do after they picked one other Greek participant they’d by no means heard of within the first spherical of the 2013 draft!
That is, in fact, a a lot smaller scale and there are no real expectations around Kalaitzakis to do much of anything this season for the Bucks. Heck, even past this season, there’s no expectation for the ultimate choice of the draft to show into something greater than a developmental flier for the Wisconsin Herd.
That being stated, by two preseason video games and a public intrasquad scrimmage, we have now received a bit glimpse into what Kalaitzakis can do. Certain, we received a small look in Summer time League the place he performed two video games and averaged 10.5 factors and 5 assists, however he’s been in a position to play towards two groups within the preseason now which have performed a majority of their common rotation gamers, a a lot better solution to glean what kind of participant Kalaitzakis has been.
The constructive critiques got here in early for the 22-year-old after the Bucks held an intrasquad scrimmage that was open to the general public earlier than the beginning of their preseason marketing campaign. Eric Nehm of The Athletic (subscription required) wrote about how Kalaitzakis’ energy popped instantly when he entered the scrimmage, impressing along with his passing potential and his competitiveness on protection. We’ve gotten over 50 minutes of preseason-Kalaitzakis so far and I’d say issues have been encouraging.
Early impressions on Georgios Kalaitzakis by first two Milwaukee Bucks 2021 preseason video games
It’s protected to say that fellow rookie Sandro Mamukelashvili has outperformed Kalaitzakis by the opening two preseason video games, together with a 20-point double-double towards the Brooklyn Nets. Nevertheless, Mamukelashvili can also be coming off of 4 years taking part in high-level school basketball in North America versus Kalaitzakis who has been taking part in a distinct type over in Greece.
Kalaitzakis has appeared a bit uncertain at occasions, nonetheless getting adjusted to the Bucks’ schemes and the general distinction within the play of the NBA, however he’s had some stable moments. Let’s begin along with his capturing, which hasn’t been nice by two video games, going 2-for-10 from the sector. He definitely doesn’t lack confidence when he decides he’s going to shoot, taking pull-up jumpers over Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, whereas additionally attempting his greatest to take LaMarcus Aldridge off the dribble.
It was a stable effort, noticing he had an even bigger and slower participant on him, however Patty Mills comes over from the nook to assist and that was sufficient to make Kalaitzakis modify, which allowed Aldridge to recuperate for the block. He would have been higher served to attempt to kick out to Justin Robinson or Javin DeLaurier behind the 3-point line, however you want the boldness from the rookie.
He has a very good sense of when to assault a mismatch, at the least. Attempting to take Aldridge off the dribble is a good suggestion after which he went at two smaller gamers in Mills and Bruce Brown later within the sport. It’s not at all times the prettiest shot makes an attempt, however it’s good to see Kalaitzakis present an understanding that he can use his dimension and burst towards sure gamers.
His really feel for the sport reveals up in his passing, which is well the most effective a part of his offensive sport. A few of the scouting experiences on Kalaitzakis out of Greece had been that he might play a point-forward position due to his ball-handling and passing really feel, which we’ve seen large flashes of thus far.
This got here a few minute earlier than Kalaizakis getting denied by Aldridge and that is what you’d fairly see. He assaults, sees Jevon Carter come to assist off Robinson, and hits him for the wide-open 3-point look. It was a pleasant little no-look dish from Kalaitzakis too, holding Carter engaged with Johnny O’Bryant on the rim so he couldn’t cheat again to Robinson. It hasn’t at all times been fairly, although.
I see what Kalaitzakis was going for with a go excessive to Mamukelashvili. It was a miscommunication however I don’t assume that go was going to recover from the lengthy limps of Jaren Jackson Jr. no matter if Mamukelashvili was within the spot that Kalaitzakis thought he was going to be.
He had one other help within the Nets sport the place he drew Bruce Brown over to assist and hit Jordan Nwora for an open 3 whereas mid-shot. He’s far more superior as a passer than as a scorer, however he’ll discover his method towards some much less stiff competitors as soon as the G League season begins.
On protection, it was very a lot a trial-by-fire for Kalaitzakis towards the Nets, as he guarded Durant and James Harden on a number of possessions, just because he was one of many solely wings with dimension out there for the Bucks in that sport. He notably picked up three fouls, one was an intentional foul and the opposite was a little bit of a phantom name on a defensive rebound by Harden. His second foul was when he was guarding Durant, nonetheless.
He overplays it a bit an excessive amount of which permits Durant room to drive along with his proper, however Kalaitzakis nonetheless does a very good job to remain on his hip and contest, not permitting the simple bucket. Certain it resulted in a foul, however he’s guarding arguably the most effective scorer on the earth. You wish to see him keep aggressive and make it exhausting on Durant, which is what he did. He’s not going to be an elite defensive stopper, he’s going to make errors, however it’s about with the ability to right them transferring ahead. He additionally blocked a James Harden stepback after getting faked out on a dribble transfer, displaying some good restoration, in order that was additionally fairly neat.
You’re beginning to see a number of the the explanation why the Bucks chosen Kalaitzakis with the sixtieth total choose over a number of the extra notable collegiate names nonetheless on the board on the time.
It hasn’t been excellent for Kalaitzakis, particularly scoring the ball, however he received higher after a tough first preseason sport towards the Grizzlies and that’s what issues, particularly this early. So long as he’s getting higher, then that’s a constructive signal.
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