×

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s free throw shooting technique scrutinized for taking too long

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lengthy free-throw routine might be too long to be legal.

Officials are under renewed pressure to enforce the 10-second rule, placing the Milwaukee Bucks’ two-time MVP further in the spotlight Friday night in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks.

The NBA said Antetokounmpo should have been called for 10-second violations on both free throws he shot with 5.3 seconds remaining in the Hawks’ 116-113 Game 1 win on Wednesday night. Antetokounmpo made both free throws, trimming the Hawks’ lead to 114-113.

“He’s got his routine,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Friday before the game. “It’s been a big topic of conversation. I get it. I understand it. I think he’s in a good place. I just always say we want to get him to the free throw line. We want him attacking. The more he gets there the better.”

Budenholzer said the NBA isn’t officiated with a stopwatch, whether on a 10-second rule at the free throw line or the three seconds players are allowed to be in the paint.

“If you took a clock on an out-of-bounds play, how many times would it take more than five seconds if they wanted to put a stopwatch on it?” Budenholzer asked.

Starting at $3.23/week.

Subscribe Today