Milwaukee Bucks Player of the Week (Jan 1. – Jan 7.)
Milwaukee Bucks Player of the Week Rankings
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Greg Monroe
- Jabari Parker
The Greek Freak played in all three games this week and averaged 39.3 minutes, 26.0 points (on 50 percent shooting from the field), 9.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.0 blocks. He led the Bucks in points, rebounds, and blocks, and was second in assists and tied for second in steals.
Let’s start this by looking at how Giannis compared to his NBA brethren over the past three games on a per game basis.
- Three players averaged at least three blocks.
- Nine players averaged at least two blocks and one steal.
- Five players averaged at least 25 points and eight rebounds.
- Two players averaged at least 25 points and two blocks.
Like usual, Giannis had a very special week doing a variety of things that not many of his contemporaries could match. In fact, there was just one NBA player who was able to basically match Giannis’ output in week 11: Kevin Durant. Here are there stat lines side by side:
- Giannis – 26.0 points (on 50% shooting), 9.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.0 blocks
- KD – 26.0 points (on 50% shooting), 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.3 blocks.
Anytime you’re matching or exceeding Durant’s numbers you know you are doing something right. Antetokounmpo is typically doing something right, if not everything right. He has been the Bucks player of the week for 11 straight weeks to start this season. He is a very rare player and even 11 straight PotW honors don’t provide him the credit he deserves.
Barring something insane, Giannis is heading to the first All Star game of his career in February. He certainly deserves it, as he is leading the Bucks in all five major statistical categories.
The Greek Freak was a center playing point guard this week. He had two points-rebounds double-doubles in three games. He also had a game where he registered five blocks. Those definitely have the taste of power forward/center numbers.
But Giannis was even more than just an elite big man. He hit a game winning shot in the second game of the week against the Knicks. On the road, in Madison Square Garden, Giannis backed down his man with just a few seconds left and then turned and sunk a solid fade away jumper. The defender, Lance Thomas, played him perfectly but Giannis utilized his length to get off an uncontested look. The result was glorious.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is how a superstar is born. Antetokounmpo is going to have his opportunities to join the elites of the NBA. Plays like that are the ones he’ll need to make if he wants to entertain being among their company.
Beyond playing like a top center and hitting clutch shots Giannis contributed in other ways. His assists were down but he was still the lead point guard and the second best facilitator on the floor for much of the week. Additionally, Giannis played amazing defense. Averaging 3.0 blocks per game for a three game stretch is no easy feat. Adding a couple steals in with that makes for a pretty special defensive stat line.
Giannis is the best player on the Bucks and it isn’t even close. It is just not fair to compare him to his teammates anymore because he wins easily. It is only fair to compare him with the league’s elite and see where he matches up. So far, this season he has compared very favorably. It will lead to an All Star appearance and potentially the playoffs this season. Where it will take the Bucks in the future is an even more exciting question.