Will Giannis Break the NBA?

Thomas Zakowski, Staff Writer, Journalism I

Giannis Antetokounmpo is perhaps the future of the NBA, having another breakout season with MVP level stats. The 22-year-old “Greek freak” is averaging 29.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.8 steals per game.

The most unconventional thing about Antetokounmpo is that he’s a 7 foot “freak” that can play almost any position, making him a matchup nightmare for opponents. If you put a point guard against him, he can post up and penetrate to the basket, but if you match him up against a center, he can use his lanky frame to move with dexterity around him to go to the hoop.

When Giannis was drafted 15th in the 2013 NBA draft, most of America had no idea who this thin Greek point guard was or what he could do.  One thing was sure: he had a lot of potential and it seems he’s reaching it.  Giannis has improved his stat line significantly every year from averaging a little under 7 points a game his rookie season to now 30 points.

Almost every NBA fan knows what isn’t making his game complete is his lack of ability to hit threes with a struggling 28 percent from downtown and his uncertainty on his jumpers. This is not a big deal. Giannis is purely a slasher, shooting from over 50 percent from within the arc. Combine that with playmakers such as Bledsoe, Middleton, Snell, and Brogdon, and Giannis can draw attention to himself and create open shots for his teammates.

Another point that fits well with Antetokounmpo is the system he’s in. Milwaukee seems to be a great mold for the rising, if not already, superstar. It’s not a big city like LA, New York or Chicago where constant press coverage could stifle the young man’s development. Giannis never had the publicity that has supposedly ruined the development of rookies. Now he feels he owes it to the city to win them a championship.

With his strong supporting cast of Bledsoe, Middleton, and eventually the return of Jabari, the Bucks will be an entertaining team to watch this season and Antetokounmpo is sure to impress.