Milwaukee Bucks: 3 bold predictions for 2019-20 NBA season

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo will get even better

The growth of athletes into stars is not a linear progression. The picture of a player putting in the work and getting better in a steep but consistent track upwards is something from movies, not from real life. Except in the case of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA MVP.

Antetokounmpo has improved as a player every season of his young career. That is easily tracked by his increased points and rebounds per game in all six seasons he’s been in the league. That culminated last season when he set career highs in points and rebounds per game, total 3-pointers, box plus-minus, usage rate and true shooting percentage. He was dominant en route to winning the league’s individual highest honor.

While at some point his progression as a player will change, it is very realistic to expect Antetokounmpo to improve next season as well. Last season he increased his 3-point attempt rate, and while his percentage dipped in the regular season, it tracked up to 32.7 percent for the playoffs. If he can attempt three a game and hit one of those he will stretch defenses to their breaking point.

Given his competitive nature, he will also be looking to improve his game in ways to overcome locked-in postseason defenses. Shooting from outside is one way to do that, but improving his dribble in traffic, working on his passing vision and proving to head coach Mike Budenholzer he can play 40+ minutes in crucial games will all help, and all are on the table.

Giannis Antetokounmpo will follow up his MVP season with an even better one, leading the Bucks again to the top record in the Eastern Conference and his second-consecutive MVP award. He will pair that with a career-high 80 3-pointers as his game moves to the next level.