Milwaukee Bucks Player of the Week (Jan. 24th – Jan. 31st)
Milwaukee Bucks Player of the Week Rankings
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Greg Monroe
3. Khris Middleton
Antetokounmpo played in all three games this week and averaged 40.0 minutes, 20.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 block per game. Amongst Bucks who played in all three games he led the team in blocks, was second in points, rebounds, and steals, and was third in assists. Additionally, he was second in plus/minus for all players who played in every game this week, +1.3.
Giannis shot the ball phenomenally from the field this week. The Greek Freak averaged 8.3 made shots and 14.3 attempted shots over the past three games for a shooting percentage of 58.1. In the past three games for all NBA players only three players who shot 14 times or more per game had better shooting percentages than Antetokounmpo.
Like many weeks in the past Giannis was unable to eliminate mistakes, turnovers and fouls, that have plagued him over the course of the season. He is second in the NBA this season with 3.5 personal fouls per game. This week he improved that figure slightly, averaging 3.3 fouls per game. That minimal improvement shows me that this problem is still present.
Giannis is in the top 30 in the NBA for turnovers per game this season, averaging 2.6. This week he did even worse, averaging 3.3 turnovers per game. Hopefully in future weeks he can work on this problem and start to find ways to correct it.
Unlike previous weeks where Antetokounmpo’s mistakes have kept him from the top spot in the Milwaukee Bucks player of the week rankings, this week he made up for them. He did so by shooting really well, as I mentioned above, and also playing great defense.
Giannis always finds a way to manufacture blocks and steals on the defensive end. He is one of only 12 players in the NBA currently who are averaging one or more blocks and one or more steals per game. Many of the players on that list of twelve are considered to be the elite defenders in the NBA today including: Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, and Nerlens Noel.
Here is an excellent defensive play by Giannis. He anticipates the steal and starts moving just before the pass is made. However, look at how far away he is from the ball when the pass begins. Even with anticipation, I doubt there are many NBA players who can make this kind of steal. His acceleration, length, and defensive IQ make him a one of a kind defender.
In the Bucks only win this week against the Magic, Giannis was the best player on the court. The Bucks were +16 when he was on the floor, he shot 16 shots and made 12 of them, and he made a couple nice defensive plays including the one above.
In the Heat game, Giannis was fantastic in the closing minutes. He drove through what seemed to be the entire Miami defense and completed a dunk that is hard to believe even when you watch replays of it over and over. This incredible dunk tied the game at 101 with just under a minute to go in the game. The Bucks could not pull out the win but it was not Giannis’ fault.
Being the MVP in the only win of the week, being clutch in a close loss, shooting a great percentage from the floor, and playing top tier defense are sure fire ways to get you the title of Milwaukee Bucks player of the week.
Next: Week 14 Wrap Up