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2017 NBA Awards show: Giannis Antetokounmpo wins NBA Most Improved Player

By Jake Goldstein-Street

March 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the basektball against Golden State Warriors forward David West (3) and forward Matt Barnes (22) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the basektball against Golden State Warriors forward David West (3) and forward Matt Barnes (22) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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During the first annual NBA Awards show, Giannis Antetokounmpo was awarded the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.

Deservedly so, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks was rewarded for his rise in importance during the 2016-2017 season with the Most Improved Player Award Monday night at the inaugural NBA Awards show. He averaged a career high in points (22.9), rebounds (8.8), and assists (5.4). Furthermore, his field goal attempt was a career high, as well, shooting 52.1% from the field.

Antetokounmpo was the most integral member of a very young Milwaukee Bucks team. He brought energy to the team with his huge dunks and physics-defying plays.

The 22-year-old had shown steady growth during his first three seasons, but this year he skyrocketed, making himself a very hard to pronounce household name. However, he has set his sights even higher. During an interview at the Onassis Cultural Center, he made his aspirations clear, saying, ” I want to be the best ever who played the game.”

The other nominees for the award were Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokic.

Rudy Gobert was one of two players to be nominated for two NBA Awards. On top of his Most Improved Player nomination, he was one of the finalists for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. Draymond Green was given that award. Gobert played a big part in the success of the Utah Jazz this past season.

Both Antentokounmpo and Gobert earned spots on the NBA All-Defensive team. Gobert was on the first team, while the Greek Freak was on the second.

Next: Worst NBA Awards Snubs of All-Time

Nikola Jokic was an electric figure during the 2016-2017 season. He was a bright spot on a Denver Nuggets team that narrowly missed the NBA Playoffs, making crazy passes night in and night out. He averaged 16.7 points, nearly 10 rebounds and five assists per game. Each of those numbers were improvements from his rookie season.

While Gobert and Jokic boasted surprisingly successful seasons, Antetokounmpo winning at the NBA Awards was a no-brainer.

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