PHOENIX SUNS

Coach’s dad wants Bucks to press, Antetokounmpo likes the idea

Jul 8, 2021, 4:19 PM | Updated: 4:25 pm

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots over Atlanta Hawks' Clint Capela during the second ha...

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots over Atlanta Hawks' Clint Capela during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals game Friday, June 25, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

PHOENIX (AP) — If Vince Budenholzer had his way, the Milwaukee Bucks would start guarding Chris Paul the minute he walked into the arena.

Mike Budenholzer grew up in Holbrook, Arizona, where his father was a state championship-winning high school coach. The Bucks coach said his father wants to see the NBA team use a high school strategy.

“He wants us to press every minute of every game,” Budenholzer said. “He doesn’t understand why we don’t press more. And one of his favorite lines to me was, you should press as soon as they get off the bus.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo would be on board.

“He’s probably right,” the 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year said.

“Press full court and make it a little bit tough for them? I think that’s a good advice.”

Budenholzer said sometimes his father draws up defenses he thinks his son should try. Alas, the Bucks don’t use the ones involving a press.

“But if you take that notion, that idea of full-court pressure, I think there’s an idea of playing hard and competing and being aggressive,” Budenholzer said.

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Coach’s dad wants Bucks to press, Antetokounmpo likes the idea