Milwaukee Bucks: 2017-18 NBA season preview
Storyline 1: How much better can Giannis get?
It is reasonable to expect young players to develop as they get older, and to improve on their stats from years past. However, the reality of growth is that it is seldom linear, and players tend to improve in one or more areas while taking a small step back in others as they focus elsewhere.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has completely rejected the idea of slow or inconsistent growth, improving in every major category each and every season of his career. Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks — four seasons, four increases.
Last season that meant leading the Bucks in all five categories, something only four players in NBA history have ever done (Dave Cowens, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James). No player in NBA history ever finished in the top 20 in the league for all five categories, which the Greek Freak did last year.
With Antetokounmpo already playing at such a high level, what are the odds he continues to grow? His track record suggests he will improve, but what areas of his game can still improve? Surprisingly, there are a number of opportunities.
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The primary area of growth is in his shooting, where he shot just 27.2 percent on 2.3 3-point attempts per game. That allows teams to sag off of him around the arc, crowding the middle to slow down his driving game and to block passing lanes. By improving his shot, he will immediately eliminate his greatest weakness and unlock an entire level of production for this Milwaukee offense.
Defensively he is growing as an elite on-ball defender, and should get even better this season. Antetokounmpo also flashed impressive weak-side blocking skills last season, and if he can hold up defensively at center, head coach Jason Kidd will have more lineup versatility once Jabari Parker returns.
Cross-court passing, rhythm as the ball-handler in a pick-and-roll, and finishing better at the free throw line are all areas where last season’s Most Improved Player could improve this next season. If Antetokounmpo does take another step forward, then not only will he put up unprecedented numbers and insert himself into the MVP conversation, but the Bucks could become the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.