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2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 5 Fringe MVP Candidates

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives in against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives in against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Awards
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (notpictured) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Lost in all the chatter about the legends at the top of this list was the quietly historic season Giannis Antetokounmpo had at just 22 years old.

Averaging 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.6 steals per game, the Greek Freak became the fifth player in NBA history to lead his team in all five categories, and he also became the first player ever to finish in the top 20 in the league for all five. He was also the only player in NBA history to average those numbers for an entire season, per Basketball-Reference.

Not only did Giannis function as the team’s point forward, but he doubled as their most versatile defender, using his length to smother wing defenders, switch onto ball handlers out of pick and rolls and challenge shots around the rim.

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the Greek Freak is the new alpha male in the NBA. Though the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 42-40 record clearly holds him out of the main conversation, Antetokounmpo’s breakthrough season should earn him Most Improved Player honors and put him on voters’ MVP radars for the next 5-10 years.