#16Ballot 2016–17: Most Improved Player — Welcome To The Giannis Era
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a historically great season for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he now collects the first of many awards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is nearly impossible for reporters to spell, with the name constantly getting stuck on the end of reporters’ fingertips while they try to write it on a piece of paper.
For broadcasters, it can be even worse. He often makes announcers sound as if they have a fat scoop of peanut butter in their mouth while trying to pronounce his name. He can make the most experienced journalist feel incompetent simply by having his name flashed on the media guide.
As difficult as it can be for the media to deal with Antetokounmpo, it is even harder on opposing defenders.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is past the point of the overused unicorn comparison. To be fair to him, his game is being brought to heights that have never been reached at any level in basketball.
In fact, at 22 years old, the Greek Freak is the only player in NBA history who can say he finished in the top 20 in the NBA in total points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.
Antetokounmpo also led his own team, the Milwaukee Bucks, in each of those categories.
The NBA has honestly never seen anything like Giannis Antetokounmpo before.
On defense, he is one of the biggest game-changers in the league and a legitimate top-five Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Bucks head coach Jason Kidd typically assigns Antetokounmpo to a stationary player, allowing the Greek Freak the freedom to roam on defense. While his freedom to control the paint is key, that doesn’t mean Antetokounmpo can’t guard other positions. In fact, he is part of an exclusive club, with only two other members — Draymond Green and LeBron James — that can effectively guard any position on the floor.
On offense, Antetokounmpo is comparable to an iceberg. On the surface, it appears that he is capable of a large amount of damage. But when you see what lays beneath the surface, it is absolutely terrifying. While Antetokounmpo’s game is ever-expanding, we have only just begun to see what he is capable of.
Antetokounmpo is a seven-footer who possesses multiple traits usually seen in smaller players. He can handle the basketball like a point guard. He runs the floor like a shooting guard and can cover half the length of the court in just three gigantic strides. Not to mention, he has dunked from the free throw line in a game.
In Antetokounmpo’s short career, he has achieved impressive results relying solely on his athletic ability. His jump shot is average at best, and that is a stretch in and of itself. Even with his poor jumper, Antetokounmpo has been able to score without having polished his moves to finish the shots. He has only just begun to develop some of those moves, such as his step back or his favorite spin.
Given all of Antetokounmpo’s accomplishments, he has made a huge jump in his production this year. Last season, he was a nice player, but not even in the All-Star conversation.
This year? He was an automatic All-Star starter and will most likely make one of the All-NBA teams if the voters are smart.
He won our 16 Wins A Ring Most Improved Player award by a landslide, demonstrating that we have some of the smartest minds in all of basketball.
Antetokounmpo took home 32 of the 39 possible first place votes. That earned him 109 points with the second place competitor receiving 39 points.
Antetokounmpo has been in the league for four years, and four times, he has improved his numbers all across the board. Although, none have been as impressive as his jump from last season to this one.
This season, Antetokounmpo made his biggest leap in scoring, scoring six more points per 36 minutes.
He has also increased his shooting percentage while taking more shot attempts per 36 minutes. This season, Antetokounmpo is making 52.2 percent of his field goals while taking three extra shots per 36 minutes. That’s up from 50.6 percent last year — an incredibly impressive feat considering most players see a dip in their shooting percentage when they take more shots.
On defense, Antetokounmpo continues to see his impact rise. It would be shocking if he does not have a Defensive Player of the Year award in his future.
This season, he averaged 1.7 steals and 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes. That is higher than his last season averages of 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per 36 minutes as well.
Antetokounmpo’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of amazing. With his main help, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton, battling major injuries all year, he has led the Milwaukee Bucks to the playoffs and their first winning record in seven years.
A year ago, experts were oozing over the potential that Antetokounmpo displayed. Now, his potential is beginning to transform into concrete skill and ability. He is the true definition of a gym rat, and it wouldn’t be too surprising if he wins this award again next season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is proving his legacy may end up as a myth among legends. His continued improvement in every major category while simultaneously taking on more responsibility is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish.
Consider this the first of many 16 Wins A Ring awards Giannis Antetokounmpo will inevitably receive.
