Hoops Habit
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5 Reasons The Milwaukee Bucks Can Still Win Their Series Against Toronto Raptors

By Josh Cornelissen

Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) defends during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) defends during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Giannis Antetokounmpo is Amazing

Kyle Lowry has the pedigree of being one of the league’s best two-way point guards. DeMar DeRozan is an elite scorer who has put up incredible numbers this season, with and without his wingman.

Serge Ibaka was the modern NBA’s first unicorn, swatting shots and hitting from behind the arc.

But the best player in this series has been Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 22-year-old forward from Greece with the length to guard centers and the handle to play point guard.

Perhaps three or four players in the league can guard all five positions on defense and execute all five positions on offense and none outside of LeBron James do it better than the “Greek Freak” does for Milwaukee.

He has been magnificent for the Bucks this postseason, scoring 23 points per game along with 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.2 blocks.

Of the postseason’s top 15 scorers, just three — LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Kawhi Leonard — have shot more efficiently from the field than Antetokounmpo’s 52.8 percent.

Not simply a stat-stuffer, Giannis is a basket-stuffer, throwing down a number of highlight reel dunks on Raptors players unable to stop him. On one play he leaped out of bounds under the hoop, only to reach back with his impossibly long arms and lay it in.

Defensively he hasn’t neglected the highlight plays, blocking a Norman Powell attempt in Game 3 with his elbow. His extended reach has been a terror in passing lanes, not only generating live ball steals, but deterring ball movement from the Raptors in general.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has shown that he is not simply a regular-season standout, but a playoff star as well. His ability to take over a game should not only give fear to Toronto fans, but hope to Milwaukee fans.

Having the best player in an NBA playoff game always gives you the chance to win.

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