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NBA Award Watch: Quin Snyder sets the Jazz beat

By John Buhler

Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with guard Raul Neto (25) during the second half against the Miami Heat at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with guard Raul Neto (25) during the second half against the Miami Heat at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo just turned 22. He might be the best 22-year-old basketball player on the planet — the Greek Freak is knocking on the door of superstardom already.

Antetokounmpo will be a first-time Eastern Conference All-Star this season. He’s averaging 22.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game playing for Jason Kidd’s Bucks. Milwaukee will be an Eastern Conference Playoff team if Antetokounmpo continues to play at an All-Star level.

He may never become even a mediocre 3-point shooter (23.9 percent in 2016-17), but that shouldn’t matter for a player as talented as Antetokounmpo. He’s still shooting 51.9 percent from the field, has a PER of 27.0 and is responsible for 3.4 Win Shares for the Bucks.

If Westbrook wasn’t averaging a triple-double, Antetokounmpo might honestly force his way into the MVP conversation. He’s been that good for the Bucks this season. The Eastern Conference should be lucky to have found another superstar in Antetokounmpo. He’s the type of player that can bring a championship to Milwaukee with the right supporting cast around him.

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