Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo Taking The Next Step

Taking The Leap

It’s only been a week, but there are already plenty of players who look like they’ll be in the Most Improved Player of the Year conversation in 2015-16, with Andre Drummond, Nikola Mirotic, C.J. McCollum and pretty much the entire Orlando Magic roster proving themselves as worthy candidates so far.

But if the Bucks are able to put a decent record together and field a respectable defense once again, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be at the forefront of that conversation based on his impressive raw numbers and his two-way importance to a (hopefully) playoff team. And even if he doesn’t wind up winning any awards for it, the Greek Freak seems poised for his breakout season.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Week 2

Forget about the Bucks’ middling 2-3 record so far. Forget about the fact that their only two wins have come against the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. Forget about everything, really, that does not include the Greek Freak in your analysis of this team.

Because even though we could sit here and talk about the adverse effects of Greg Monroe on a once elite defense until we’re blue in the face, all that matters right now is that Giannis Antetokounmpo has arrived as the best player on this Bucks team at the age of 20.