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Ranking the Top 3 Best (And Worst) John Hammond Moves

By Jeff Herrmann

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Apr 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Bucks won 107-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Best Move: Drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo

The wave of success that led the Bucks to a playoff appearance, Jason Kidd, rebranding, the new arena, and heavier national exposure all began when Hammond selected Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick of the 2013 NBA Draft.

Considered to be the “ultimate high-risk, high-reward” pick, in 2013 Giannis Antetokounmpo was a complete unknown.

How unknown was our precious “Greek Freak”?

This draft grades article from Bleacher Report refers to the big guy as Giannis Adetokunbo.

It’s no shame to spell Giannis’ name wrong–people have been doing it since the dawn of the young star’s career. The atrocious misspelling is indicative of Giannis’ then-standing as a potential NBA player–a microcosm of a prospect with more question marks than dark matter.

That’s what makes Giannis so special. He’s a genuine rags-to-riches success story.

While developing his talent in Greece, Giannis and his brothers would spend  “long afternoons and evenings on the streets of Athens as hungry, desperate boys, peddling sunglasses and souvenir trinkets to cobble together money for groceries and power bills” (Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo).

Giannis’ career doesn’t simply encapsulate success–it defines it. From a hungry boy on the streets of Greece to an NBA star on the verge of international super-stardom, Giannis has handled the journey with the savvy of a veteran player reaching for something deeper than moderate success.

For my money Giannis Antetokounmpo is not just another basketball player with infinite potential–he represents the beginning of a new era for Milwaukee Bucks basketball.

“Own the Future” started with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Someday it’s legacy will be traced back to Hammond drafting the hungry boy from the streets of Greece.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Pre-Training Camp Q&A With Charlie Westbrook

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