Giannis Antetokounmpo is evolving as a SUPER-star

The 2017-18 NBA season has been a crazy train of storylines from players moving to teams, Gordon Hayward's shocking injury, and the fresh new talent entering the league.  However, out of all these, the most talked about storyline is the rise of the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo. With much hype on Antetokounmpo cited as the “Future of the NBA” and “Future MVP” he has begun his season with incredible performances against the Celtics, Cavs, Trail-Blazers, and the Hornets.

"He has the potential to do be great. He has the physical tools, the intelligence” Kobe Bryant said. Giannis began playing ball at Greece he was a part of the Greek League second division, Filathlitikos in which he averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game showing flashes of his potential. Chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 draft as the 15^th pick Giannis would become the face of the franchise.  Every season he played he would improve dramatically in every statistic.  

2013-14 season 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks

2014-15 season 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.0 block

2015-16 season 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks

2016-17 season 22.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks (first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks)

Skillset:

Tools- Entering the league at 6-foot-9, 196-pound with the workload and growth he is now, 6-11, 222 pounds. His length helps him score easily in the paint with layups, and his defense is highly disruptive.

Passing- Giannis playmaking has increased every year as he learns to create more opportunities for his teammates (from 1.9 to 5.4 assists). Due to his driving abilities, he can set up his teammates for open jump shots when driving the lane.

Scoring/Shooting- Antetokounmpo points per game total jumps up 5.3 points a season, he continues to craft his inside game and move set. His driving skills have flourished with him being able to convert even with the pressure of double teaming and contact. His shooting needs much improving with a low career 3-point percentage of 27 percent and his free throw shooting needs improvement as well.

Defense- Giannis defense has gotten better over the season being able to stay in front of his opponents, being able to contest shots, and has increased his production in blocks and steals.

How can he improve? -  It’s pretty scary as Giannis is only 22 years old, scores almost 30 points a night and still cannot shoot well. The Greek forward needs to work on his off-ball movement and his shooting. If so he will be highly unstoppable a threat on offense and defense.

Giannis has taken the league by storm in his first 4 games of the season already making chatters in the MVP conversation, here are the sensational stat lines Giannis put up

@Boston: 37 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assist, and 3 steals

Vs. Cleveland 38 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block

Vs. Trailblazers: 44 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block

Vs. Hornets: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

Vs. Boston: 28 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 1 block

Giannis Antetokounmpo has proved he is ready to stay among the NBA elites and become the best player in the world. With averages of 35.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest shooting 62.4 percent from the field his stats are phenomenal (The first player in NBA history to accumulate 147 points, 43 rebounds and 21 assists through the first four games of a season). “This is just the beginning,” Antetokounmpo said. Leading his bucks to a 3-2 record all of the NBA is watching for what he will do next.

By Corey Robert Richards / morningnbadaily@gmail.com

Wizards defeat Sixers at home on opening night (HIGHLIGHTS)

The Washington Wizards defeat the Philadelphia Sixers 120-115 in a tough game in the capital with John Wall leading the way! John Wall finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists while Bradley Beal added 25 points. Marcin Gortat finished with a game-high 17 rebounds!

For the Sixers, Ben Simmons had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Check out the FULL game highlights!

LeBron James, Kevin Love react to Gordon Hayward’s injury

Gordon Hayward suffered a horrific ankle injury last night. The whole NBA world was stunned, players sent thoughts and prayers to Gordon and his family and hope for a speedy recovery.

LeBron James had some things to say about Hayward's injury after the game as he was one of seven Cavalier players to visit the 27-year old in the locker rooms.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to Gordon's family. I've seen a couple of injuries like that in my life that you never see coming, you don't want to see happen and it is something really unfortunate. It is very difficult to lock in back in the game after an injury like that, but both teams did a good job." He stated.

Kevin Love also added: "Hope that he has a speedy recovery, he is a great player he means a lot to his league, he is a good dude and it is really sad to see him go down like that. Hopefully, he'll have a speedy and healthy recovery and we wish him nothing but the best."

Gordon's ankle will require surgery and the time of his return has not been identified just yet.

Predicting Markelle Fultz's Rookie Season

 “With the  first pick in the 2017 NBA draft the Philadelphia 76ers select Markelle Fultz”. Those were the words Markelle Fultz heard at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, when Adam Silver called his name. He joins the list of elite players to be picked number 1 in the NBA draft. A five-star recruit, Fultz was one of the most sought out prospects in the 2017 class.  In his years in high school, college, and summer league Fultz showed why he deserved to be the number 1 pick.

Early Years and Washington

Ranked 7^th on Espn 100 Markelle Fultz played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. Trying out for the team as a sophomore, he didn’t make it and played on the JV team.  He made the varsity team as a junior and a senior. As a junior, he averaged 16.5 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game, and won the conference player of the year award. During his senior year Fultz averaged 19.1 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game while leading DeMatha to the WCAC championship game. Fultz showed his dominant scoring and strong rebounding as well his work ethic. Fultz was a member of the 2016 U-18 FIBA Americas gold medal-winning championship team earning an MVP and Being an All-American.

Fultz committed to playing for the University of Washington picking them from the many colleges who wanted the number 1 prospect.  For the Huskies he averaged 23.2 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 5.9 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, 1.2 blocks per game. Even though the Huskies didn’t make the postseason Fultz showed why he’s the one of the best young prospects in the nation. Improving and dominating all of the statistic fields with his dominant all around play at the college level.  “The college game isn’t challenging enough for him; he’s so good that I think he gets bored.” Said a scout. He posted the highest scoring average in the Pac-12 in over 20 years and became the first freshman to average over 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game since LaDrell Whitehead.

The Sixers and the NBA

After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick with the Phiadelphia 76ers, Fultz was really happy and proud of his accomplishment.

"Trust the process," he said. "That's all I've got to say." That’s the philosophy he has and uses in practice every single day. After being a non-playoff team and laughing stocks the 76ers are ready to make a turn to grace. The 76ers have a stack of young talent to add on with veterans.  Joel Embiid (Round 1: Pick 3), Jahlil Okafor (Round 1: Pick 3), Ben Simmons (Round 1: Pick 1), and Fultz (Round 1: Pick 1) all picked in the first round the last three years are all under 24. With all of them healthy they are ready to make a nice playoff run in the new eastern conference.  In the 2 games of NBA Summer League Fultz averaged 20 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists with an average of 24.5 minutes played. It ended with a sprained ankle injury which he fully recovered from.

“I actually want to be the best to ever play this game. And I think I have a pretty good chance to do that” he said. Fultz is ready to begin his NBA career and make a huge impact of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Skills and weaknesses

6’4 Markelle is not that small or big, but he is really fast and has a good all-around game. Another good quality is he can play both guard spots even though he’s a point; Fultz can play the shooting guard. Fultz has also shown he is a good rebounder and likes to run in transition (averaging 8 in high school and 6 in college).

Passing- He can create for his teammates, both in the drive-and-kick game and when he's running pick-and-roll action. Fultz has shown he can make his teammates lives easier on the court but needs to work on his passing and spacing on both sides of the court.

Scorer/Shooting- Since high school, his scoring has increased from 16.8 to 19.1 from junior to senior. In college, he, averaged 23.2 points per game the highest average in Pac 12 that year.  He can thrive as a go-to scorer, whether he's creating his own shots off the jump or working as an off-ball cutter and spot-up shooter.

Defense- At the college level, he showed improvement on defense averaging 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks as a Huskie showing aggressiveness on the defensive side of the floor.

How can he improve? -  His defense still needs work, as sometimes he doesn’t show much skill or effort on the defensive side. Though he’s a talented player his play has not translated to success so he needs to become a more valued leader for this 76ers team.

Predicting his Rookie Year

16-18 Points per game

3-5 Rebounds per game

3-4.5 Assists per game

1-1.5 Steals per game

0.5-1 Blocks per game

43-46 FG%

36-40 3P%

70-75 FT%

By Corey Robert Richards / morningnbadaily@gmail.com