MADISON, Wis. — MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he wants to become a better shooter.
Enter veteran Kyle Korver with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It’s really important [that] I always try to talk to him a little bit,” Antetokounmpo said of Korver after the Bucks’ first day of training camp at the University of Wisconsin on Tuesday. “And he’s a great guy. He’s not trying to get in your head or overstep and talk too much to you. Whenever he gives me tips, I always try to listen … one of the best shooters to ever play the game.
“He’s definitely going to help this team, but he’s definitely going to help a lot of players develop their shooting ability.”
Antetokounmpo shot 30.2% on jump shots last season — the worst among the 148 players to attempt at least 300 jumpers, per Second Spectrum.
“His professionalism, his work ethic and attention to detail is just gonna help all of us, including me as a coach” said Mike Budenholzer, who also coached Korver with the Atlanta Hawks. “I always say that about Kyle: He makes me a better coach. Adding him to our group was a huge add this summer.”
Five months ago, Korver, 38, wasn’t sure if he would continue to play professional basketball. After the Utah Jazz were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs, he said he was mulling retirement.
“I was beat up at the end of last season and I didn’t feel like I was able to play the way that I wanted to, so I just didn’t want it to be like that again,” Korver said Tuesday. “But I still love the game. I still love competing and I still feel like I can offer something.
“So as long as my family can do it, I want to keep going.”
Korver, who has shot 42.9% from 3-point range for his career, ranks fourth all-time with 2,351 3-point field goals made. He trails only Ray Allen (2,973), Reggie Miller (2,560) and Stephen Curry (2,483) in that category.
He signed a one-year deal with Milwaukee. Playing for Budenholzer, alongside Antetokounmpo, and to be in the mix to win a title were all important factors.
“That was exciting to me,” Korver said. “I can see a role where I can help a team.”
Courtesy: ESPN.com
