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5 best Giannis Antetokounmpo plays this season

By Brad Washington

Dec 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on a tear this season. Here are five of his best highlights so far.

It took some time, but Giannis Antetokounmpo has developed into one of the more exciting players in the NBA. Antetokounmpo, better known as the “Greek Freak”, stands 6-foot-11, but his game is every bit like a guard. Hence, why Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd inserted him at the point guard position. Antetokounmpo’s stats so far are as follows: 23.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 53.5% shooting. But it’s been his exciting plays, whether dunks or defense, that really has the league talking. At only the age of 22, Antetokounmpo is showing he’s set to become a superstar very soon. Below are five of his best plays so far in this 2016-17 NBA season.

5. Giannis does a chase-down block against the Philadelphia 76ers

Reminiscent of the pre-Miami Heat era of LeBron James, Giannis had to remind the court who was in charge. The victim? Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas. James popularized the chase-down block in his first MVP season in Cleveland in 2009. As seen above, the chase-down requires athleticism and absolute timing. Coming on too fast or too slow will result in a possible score. Giannis paced the timing correctly, then jumped at the right time to send the glass a message with a basketball.

Plays like this show Giannis knows how to utilize his frame. At 6-foot-11, Giannis runs as fast as a guard and can defend like a post player. As seen above, Giannis used both components of his frame to stop the transition bucket; length and size. With plays made like this, Giannis is a dangerous player on both ends of the floor.

Perhaps Giannis was sending a warning to the NBA: he’s coming. Chase-down blocks are only accomplished by those possessed with athletic freakishness. It was the beginning of the game and the 76ers weren’t ready, word to Kevin Hart. Well, after witnessing this block, if the 76ers didn’t know, now they knew. Word to the great Notorious B.I.G.

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