BTBP Staff Awards: Milwaukee Bucks Defensive Player of the Year
By Adam McGee
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Season Stats: 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks, 50.6% FG, 25.7% 3PT, 72.4% FT, ORTG 103.9, DRTG 106.5, NetRTG 2.6
The Lowdown: If the question was who makes the most exciting defensive plays, there’d be no reason to even debate this. Giannis Antetokounmpo is not only nicknamed The Greek Freak for what he can do on offense, but also for his show-stopping highlights on D.
There were countless notable blocks and steals this season, as Giannis set new career high marks in both of those categories. Like most Bucks he had his momentary lapses on defense, but Giannis remains one of the more intelligent and instinctual defenders on Milwaukee’s roster.
Why They Voted For Giannis:
John Heffernon (@Silky__Johnson_): No disrespect to Khris Middleton, but Giannis Antetokounmpo was the Milwaukee Bucks Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. He was second on the team in blocks, with 1.4 per game, and third on the team in steals, with 1.2 per game.
He was one of only 13 players in the NBA to average at least one steal and one block per game. Beyond just impressive stats, Giannis also was the DPOTY based on the eye test. So often throughout the course of the season the Greek Freak would do something improbable on defense, like emphatic chase down blocks, that would demoralize the other team and pump up the Bucks.
His impact on the defensive end of the floor was felt consistently throughout the season from Game 2 (he was suspended for the first game) to Game 82.
Next: Plumlord