Christie Questions Giannis's Mid-Range Shot Selection
Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie said his team was content letting Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo take contested mid-range shots.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Basketball
Following the Heat's 114-108 win over the Kings on Sunday, Christie criticized Antetokounmpo's shot selection during his postgame press conference. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra defended Antetokounmpo's shooting, calling him "a very good shooter."
Why it matters
The exchange highlights a strategic debate over how defenses should handle a high-volume scorer who posts strong efficiency numbers. Antetokounmpo's production in the Heat's win keeps the question of his shot selection at the center of the matchup discussion.
Antetokounmpo scored 29 points with 14 rebounds and shot 14-of-23 from the field in the Heat's 114-108 win over the Kings. Through 9 games this season, he is averaging 27.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
The players
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo is a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a Greek forward who previously played his career with the Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Miami Heat.
Doug Christie
Christie is a former NBA guard who is the head coach of the Sacramento Kings.
Erik Spoelstra
Spoelstra is a longtime NBA coach who has led the Miami Heat for many seasons and is known for his defensive-minded approach.
The details
Christie made the comments during his postgame press conference, saying Sacramento was content to let Antetokounmpo take contested mid-range shots. He also said Antetokounmpo probably will not make the same shots in the next game, while Spoelstra responded when asked about the shot selection.
Timeline
Sunday: Heat defeat Kings 114-108 and Christie makes postgame comments
2026-2027 season, through 9 games: Antetokounmpo averages 27.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists
Season Trajectory
The debate over Antetokounmpo's mid-range shooting echoes earlier public critiques from his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, including comments from former coach Doc Rivers. Continued scrutiny of his shot selection will shape how defenses approach his scoring across the early part of the season.
Antetokounmpo's shot selection directly affects fantasy projections for his points and field goal percentage in upcoming matchups. Fans tracking his efficiency should watch whether Sacramento and other opponents continue to concede mid-range attempts.
The takeaway
Shot selection remains a central factor in evaluating high-volume scorers, and coaching debates like this one often shape how opponents game-plan against them. Watching efficiency numbers alongside shot volume gives a fuller picture of a player's impact.
Further reading
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