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NBA: The Association’s All-Future Team

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles past Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles past Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

G/F: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Position: Point Forward

Age: 21 (12/6/1994)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 15 (2013)

Slash Line: .506/.213/.725

Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 16.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG

For roughly two-and-a-half seasons, Giannis Antetokounmpo gave us nothing more than brief glimpses of brilliance. He was a fine young player, but the Milwaukee Bucks crowded the rotation with too many playmakers for The Greek Freak to develop into the point forward many expected him to become.

Since Michael Carter-Williams was moved to the second unit and later sidelined by a hip injury, Antetokounmpo has taken over as Milwaukee’s primary facilitator—a role he’s thrived in.

Since his first 10-assist game, February 22, Antetokounmpo is averaging 19.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.8 steals per game. That’s borderline elite production in every single one of those statistical categories, and it comes over a healthy 15-game period.

Suggesting Antetokounmpo can maintain those averages may seem crazy in theory, but it’s no more insane than a 6’11” player with a 7’3″ wingspan racking up triple-doubles like it’s nothing.

It’s no more unlikely than a player going from the 3-point line to the rim in just two steps without even traveling.

Those happenings seem unfathomable, but that’s exactly what they are: things that are happening.

Antetokounmpo has four triple-doubles in his past 15 games, with 10 double-doubles during that same frame. Beyond his stuffing the stat sheet in traditional ways, The Greek Freak is also becoming one of the best defensive playmakers in the NBA.

At 21 years old, it doesn’t make sense that Antetokounmpo is already physically overwhelming his peers in the NBA.

Next: What If or When?