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 15th 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.
