SteemSports Presenter:@hogan22
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
The Milwaukee Bucks are closing in on 50 years since their only NBA title way back in 1970-71 when they were led by a young Kareem Abdul-Jabar, then named Lew Alcindor and Oscar Robertson. They would make one more NBA Finals appearance in 73-74 before the departure of Abdul-Jabar and retirement of Roberson. Since loss of the two Hall of Fame talents, the Bucks have been stuck in “NBA hell”, never amassing enough talent to reach the finals and never playing poorly enough to get the “next best thing” in the NBA lottery. That trend changed in 2013 when they used their 15th overall draft pick to select a little-known international talent who goes by the name of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo was an extremely raw talent, scaling 6’11” and tipping the scales at 220 pounds. In his first season he averaged 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and just shy of a block per game. Hardly eye-popping numbers but the Bucks still saw a ton of potential as he scored in double figures in 23 of his 77 games played. Giannis would continue to improve in his second year nearly doubling his production in points (12.7) and rebounds (6.7). Still he as labeled as nothing more than a “freakish” athlete considering his size and speed, the Bucks still remained a mediocre team compiling a 41-41 record in the maligned Eastern Conference, getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Chicago Bulls.
In his third year, “The Greek Freak” would continue to make steady progress matching his God-given abilities with his basketball knowledge and growing confidence. Once again, by years end, he would increase his scoring (16.9 PPG) and rebounding (7.7 RPG) along with his play making abilities (4.3 APG). He also finished the year with 5 triple-doubles showing that he could fill up any portion of the stat sheet on any given night. Unfortunately, Milwaukee’s front office did not surround their star with enough talent, failing to make the playoffs finishing with a record of 33-49.
The Bucks did not want to lose this once-in-a-generation talent and signed “The Greek Freak” to a 4 year $100 million contract, before the 2016-17 season. Now, with a new contract, along with a new target on his back, Giannis would get every team’s best shot, night in and out. He was unphased by the increase in attention, once again improving on his previous year’s production compiling career-highs in points (22.9), rebounds (8.8), assists (5.4), blocks (1.9), and steals (1.6), earning him a spot on the All-Defensive and All-NBA teams.
Entering this year, based on Antetokounmpo’s continuous improvement, each year, there’s no reason why we should think he would regress….and he hasn’t disappointed to date, only this year, he has his sights set on the NBA elite. He is currently holds a spot in the top 11 in 4 of the NBA’s major statistical categories including. 2nd in the NBA in scoring (29.6 PPG), 8th in rebounding (10.5) RPG) and steals (1.83 SPG), 11th in blocks (1.41)! It seems, at this point, the only thing that could get in the way of “The Greek Freak” is his own front office.
Although Milwaukee struck gold with Antetokounmpo six years ago, they have yet to get him the supporting cast he needs to help the franchise get back to the glory days of the early 1970’s. But one thing is for certain, based on his freakish ability, tireless work ethic, and being a continuous student of the game, Antetokounmpo will continue to take down the NBA elite one start at time, even if he has to climb to the mountain top on his own.
Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @hogan22
I think it’s bold to say that he’s the best in the league, but he definitely will be in the next few years. I think the top two spots still go to LeBron and KD until their production begins to drop and they start losing. Giannis is definitely an heir to their thrones!
If he develops a 3point shoot. OMG, The Mount Olympus is the limit.
Good post you fren
Don't forget to mention that he has an incompetent coach running absurd schemes and rotations holding his team back.
Without Giannis on the floor the Bucks are giving up 13.1 points per 100 possessions compared to outscoring opponents by 4 points per 100 possessions with Giannis on the court. The guy is the only thing keeping the Bucks over .500, and they are flirting with dropping below that with their play lately.
I agree and excellent analysis! The supporting cast includes the coaching staff. They have a world of talent in Giannis. Hopefully they can figure out how to surround him with a quality coach and players before he decides to "take his talents" elsewhere.
He may or may not be the best player but he is definitely the player I'd build a team around right now. Definitely.
I keep dreaming of him in a Celtics uniform with Kyrie...
I do like Middleton and Bledsoe.
He may not be the best yet but he definitely has the most potential to be the best player in NBA.
*agree
Even in the NBA-world, which seen a lot of great athletes, Giannis' body is unique - that the first reason why he is so versitile on court.
But on the other hand - he countinues to grow not because his body becomes more perfect. I think much credit must be given to Bukcks' coaching staff, especially for their development coaches. For a young player it's hard to spend a lot of time wathching and analyzing games, reading specific books - someone gave him information which helps to understand the game better. That's why he is improving - he tries to reach the level of understanding some great players had at 17-18 years of age.
For sure Bucks must build a team around him and because he is still very young they have time to develop partners around him and only then add some role players.
Very good theme of the post @hogan22 ! It's thrilling to watch what heights Giannis can reach in his career.
Excellent insight! Thank you for following!
368/5000
"The Greek Freak", so is known in the NBA to Giannis Antetokounmpo some of the best offensive / defensive players we find today in the NBA, that is for me the player with a trajectory of become the successor of "The King" James and "Durantula" Durant to be the best player in the league. The dilemma will be champion with Milwuakee I think not? what do you think?
Giannis has unlimited potential. He can legit play all 5 positions easily, He is like a freakish Lebron.... and we know how freakish Lebron is already. I'm excited to see this kid grow and develop more.