Milwaukee Bucks: 2018-19 NBA season preview

Storyline 1: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo be the best player in the world?

The level of excitement around Giannis Antetokounmpo is palpable, and almost everyone leaguewide adores him. Fans, media, other executives — NBA general managers picked him as the player they would most like to start a franchise with.

Antetokounmpo is the star thus far unsullied by disappointing losses. Every star tends to ride that wave for some time, pushing towards the top. Eventually those hopes become expectations, and if a star is going to endure he has to show he can meet those expectations.

With LeBron James now in Los Angeles the mantle of best player in the Eastern Conference is open for the taking. If healthy Kawhi Leonard is a reasonable choice, and Kyrie Irving has been playing his entire career ready to step out from LeBron’s shadow.

Joel Embiid is ready to make his move as well.

Yet no player has the upside of Antetokounmpo to be recognized as the best player in the East, and whether this year or next has every ability to become the best in the league. His combination of length, athleticism, skill and relentless drive are incredible.

If he has added a 3-point shot this conversation may already be over.

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1047650818252390400

The Milwaukee Bucks have lofty goals for this season, and they all center around Antetokounmpo. If he can continue his ascension into the league’s top echelon, the Bucks have to feel confident in their chances to rise along with him.

If he tops out as simply a top-10 player, there cannot help but be a small ring of disappointment.