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NBA: Players Who Will Be Historically Productive In 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the game against the Orlando Magic at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the game against the Orlando Magic at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Position: Point Guard
Age: 21 (12/6/1994)
2015-16 Slash Line: .506/.257/.724
2015-16 Season Averages: 35.3 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG

Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to run point for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016-17. Many have questioned how realistic a vision this is for Milwaukee, but if anyone can teach him to be an oversized point guard without a jump shot, it’s Ason—sorry, Jason Kidd.

If 2015-16 is a sign of things to come, then Antetokounmpo is on the fast track to becoming the best player in the NBA.

Antetokounmpo’s season averages are impressive enough, but they don’t do him justice. He contributed in every area but 3-point shooting—and despite his poor jump shot, still managed to shoot 50.6 percent from the field.

When limiting the sample size to his emergence as a primary ball-handler, however, the numbers become historically insane.

Over the final 26 games of the 2015-16 regular season, Antetokounmpo was untouchable. He posted marks of 18.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game on 51.5 percent shooting from the field.

The only players who have averaged at least 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game over the course of a full season: no one, no one, and no one.

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