The most important player on each and every NBA team this season

By Ti Windisch | Aug 28, 2018

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of Game Two in Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 17, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Bucks — Giannis Antetokounmpo

No surprises here: Giannis Antetokounmpo is far and away the most important player on the Milwaukee Bucks. No Buck has carried such importance to the franchise since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and that isn’t even hyperbole.

The Marques Johnson and Sidney Moncrief era saw Milwaukee nearly win their conference several times, but they never could quite do it. The Ray Allen peak of 2001 again saw the Bucks oh so close to an NBA Finals appearance, but those Bucks couldn’t seal the deal either.

Giannis’ Bucks may not have a single series victory yet, but the 23-year-old has something no Bucks star since Kareem has had — best player in the league potential. Giannis seems destined for MVPs, and even Finals MVPs. Every aspect of his game sans 3-point shooting has risen steadily every single season he’s been in the Association, and after a drop from his first to second season his shooting has actually been improving as well.

The Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Philadelphia 76ers all will have something to say about it, but the East could well be on the verge of entering the Antetokounmpo era. Giannis staying in Milwaukee after his contract is up would be the highest point for the Bucks since 1971, given that there isn’t another banner raised in Milwaukee by then.

It would be wise to learn how to spell, and say, Antetokounmpo now rather than later. The Greek Freak is putting the Bucks on the map, and making the whole damn franchise important.

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