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NBA Award Watch: Draymond Green dominating defensively

By John Buhler

Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo

The NBA’s Most Improved Player has to be Milwaukee Bucks point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s been impressive all season in his new point forward role, and is showing the kind of consistency the Bucks will need if they’re going to make it to the playoffs.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 22.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game for Milwaukee this season. His Bucks feel like an Eastern Conference playoff team, all things being equal, and can maybe win a first-round series with the Greek Freak as the star.

Antetokounmpo has a career-best PER of 27.3 and is already responsible for 4.7 Win Shares for this young Bucks team. In year four in the NBA, we seem to have found the next great superstar in the East. LeBron James isn’t going to be in his prime forever.

There’s an argument now, given Antetokounmpo’s performances this season, that the Bucks will be the next team in the East without James on it to make the Finals. Antetokounmpo is only 22 years old — he’s just getting started on what projects to be a sensational NBA career.

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