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If Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t make the All Star team, I will lose faith in the NBA. I remember a time where talents that could play multiple positions were some of the most coveted players for franchises. You think Magic, T-Mac, Kobe, LeBron, guys who can do multiple things on the court and play more than one role.
Look at the Greek Freak.
All-Star potential, 25-5-5 potential, MVP potential?
I am not one to jump the gun, but he is the most valuable player on the Bucks. And, I am willing to skip the talk of Antetokounmpo’s potential, and say that as of this moment he is already great.
The 2016 NBA season may have started a little triple-double happy, with Russell Westbrook trending towards a triple-double average and James Harden always a threat running point for the Rockets. Antetokounmpo is a triple-double threat himself with his ability to attack, rebound, control the ball and block shots, so don’t be surprised if he gets a quadruple-double or close to it this year. For all the guys that are putting up these amazing stats and feats, none of them lead their teams in all major categories. Though, it sounds like a ridiculous feat, and near impossible, Giannis does.
For all of the previous MVP winners and candidates, they were no doubt team leaders with their play as well as their numbers. From his rookie season up until now, Giannis has improved every single year with his play and numbers. Having Jason Kidd as head coach has definitely helped, and his transition to point forward, and has allowed him to exploit mismatches and defend different guys without affecting his teammates.
We need to start talking about this guy, highlight his play and his efforts. When you look at the early front runners for MVP, Westbrook, Harden, LeBron, Durant, Curry, none of them are team leaders in all major categories. Some categories, but to lead a team in all major categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks) on team is unfathomable, until the Greek Freak arrived this season. Everyone’s favorite all-star doesn't even do that, KD, Draymond, Steph, LeBron, Kawhi, don’t.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is an unusual player, with much more room to grow, which is kinda scary.
Not having yet reached his potential, he already makes an impact on court, as the focal point of the team on offense and defense, while filling up the statsheet.
He is a top statistical player in the league and only growing, as he improved on almost all of his statistical averages, lifting his points per game from 16.9 to 22.6, rebounds from 7.7 to 9.1, assists from 4.3 to 6.0, as well as free throw shooting and effective field goal percentage.
The numbers are there, the play is there, now is the time for Giannis.