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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 reasons to be optimistic after 2016-17 season

By Josh Cornelissen

Feb 26, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13), forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Khris Middleton (22) reacts after beating the Phoenix Suns 100-96 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13), forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Khris Middleton (22) reacts after beating the Phoenix Suns 100-96 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Giannis Antetokounmpo was an MVP candidate

In the season of the superstar, the MVP race was one of the most closely contested in league history. Four candidates each had a strong case for the top spot, and it’s not inconceivable that a voter looks at Stephen Curry’s advanced metrics and gives him a first place nod. Five candidates for the top spot is not only insane, it’s the mark of an all-time great season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo submitted a season every bit as noteworthy as the best in the league, improving in every single statistic for the fourth straight season and leading the Bucks in each of those categories. No player in NBA history has ever finished in the top-20 in the league in points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals — until the Greek Freak accomplished just that this season.

Not only was Antetokounmpo the best offensive player on a playoff team, but he was their best defensive player. How many other players can claim that? LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Paul George – that both exhausts the list and puts Antetokounmpo in lofty company among the very best wings in the league. He is a deserving candidate, if not the frontrunner, for the fifth place on the MVP ballot.

In just his second career playoff series Antetokounmpo did not falter, but was the best player on the court for all six games. During a Game 1 victory he was unstoppable around the rim, and in Game 3 he had the defensive play of the season blocking a shot with his elbow. In Game 6 he was the engine that drove a 25-point comeback in the second half.

The scary side of things is that Antetokounmpo is just 22 years old, with plenty of room to grow. His body is still malleable, so he should come back with more strength and a small amount of weight, that will help him hold up as the full-time power forward.

His game is equally open to improvement, and Antetokounmpo has already identified opportunities in his game to attack this offseason:

The Milwaukee Bucks have a true superstar, and the best part is that he’s going to get even better. To answer the question on everyone’s minds, the last MVP winner in Milwaukee was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won the award in 1974.

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