Giannis Antetokounmpo: ‘I might be the MVP this year’
By Joe Romano
Giannis Antetokounmpo sat down with Bucks writer Jim Paschke and declared his claim to 2018 MVP.
The Milwaukee Bucks are a team on the rise. Part of that rise has been due to the continuous improvement of Giannis Antetokounmpo a.k.a. The Greek Freak. On Tuesday, NBA.com shared a video of Antetokounmpo discussing this past season.
In the interview, he proclaims, perhaps in jest, that he could win the MVP this year. He also discusses teammate Malcolm Brogdon winning Rookie of the Year and Tony Snell cashing in after a great season in Milwaukee.
Coming off and during his best season as a professional, Antetokounmpo won the Most Improved Player award and was named to his first All Star game. The point forward averaged a career-high 22.9 points per game, 5.4 assists, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in all five statistical categories. Only four other players have accomplished that feat: Dave Cowens (1977-78), Scottie Pippen (1994-95), Kevin Garnett (2002-03) and LeBron James (2008-09).
Perhaps the most surprising part of this breakout season was that Antetokounmpo was the first player in NBA history to finish in the top 20 in all five of the categories. Clearly, the MVP talk is no hyperbole.
This standout season was surprising to few. Giannis has increased his production in all five seasons in the NBA, going from project player to an outright superstar in the process. Last season, the Bucks star signed a four-year $100 million extension.
A big part of Antetokounmpo’s development has been coach Jason Kidd’s commitment to letting him run the offense and putting the ball in his hands. By having the ball in his hands, Antetokounmpo’s biggest weakness, his outside shot, is negated. He uses his extreme length and developing handles to get to the rim seemingly at will.
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With a core of Antetokounmpo, emerging wing Khris Middleton, former No. 2 pick Jabari Parker, Brogdon and fellow rookie Thon Maker, the Bucks are looking for sustained success. After another taste of the playoffs (the team made the playoffs in 2015 and were ousted in the first round by the Bulls), the Bucks are ready to take another step to the top of the Eastern Conference — maybe with the 2018 MVP.