Milwaukee Bucks: Player of the Week (Jan 22 – 28)
Milwaukee Bucks Player of the Week Rankings
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Greg Monroe
- Jabari Parker
A bad week for Giannis is still a fantastic week overall. And this week was bad by Antetokounmpo’s standards. His points, shooting percentage, rebounds, and steals were all below his season averages.
As is tradition, let’s see how Giannis’ week stacks up to his peers across the NBA. Here are some statistical thresholds Antetokounmpo maintained over his past four games along with the number of other players who did it with him.
- 17 players averaged at least 20 points and 5 assists.
- 12 players averaged at least 20 points and 7 rebounds.
- Eight players averaged at least 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
- Eight players averaged at least 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
- Seven players averaged at least 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.
- Seven players averaged at least 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
- Two players averaged at least 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
Like usual, the Greek Freak does rare things. Even the elite players in the NBA have a difficult time matching his statistical output over a three, four, or five game sample size. Giannis’ versatility is out of this world.
Antetokounmpo found ways to impact every game this week. He was all over the court on both ends making things happen. But once again his defense finds a way to stand out beyond his offense. Only six NBA players had more combined steals and blocks than Giannis this week. He continuously eliminates easy scoring opportunities both near the hoop and on the perimeter. His length, energy, athleticism, and defensive positioning have created a force to be reckoned with. It is a shame he isn’t getting much love in the Defensive Player of the Year race because his play has been good enough to garner at least some attention.
Offensively, Giannis was a bit off in week 14. Yet he still led the Bucks in scoring on decent shooting percentages. The best thing Giannis did while on offense was not force it. He wasn’t having his best scoring week so he took a step back sometimes and let his teammates pick up the slack. However, they were not up to the task either. It seems like Giannis is better at recognizing when he has it going on and when he doesn’t. When he doesn’t his play style changes appropriately.
The way Antetokounmpo combines rebounds and assists is magical. In a porous week he contributed well in those two important categories for the Bucks. Milwaukee is not an elite rebounding team and, even though they are above average in assists, they aren’t the best passing team either. But without Giannis the Bucks would certainly be significantly worse in both statistical categories.
It was nice to see Giannis keep his high standard of play up this week after being voted onto the Eastern All Star team.
Antetokounmpo is having a masterful season. In a down week he still was an elite player around the association. The Bucks need a lot from him and he seems to always answer the call. That is very impressive coming from a 22-year-old. Milwaukee will need even more from him in the coming weeks in order to make a playoff push. He might not answer the bell accordingly but that won’t be a reason for disappointment. It will be even more reason for the Bucks to come back hungry next season. Led by an even hungrier force of nature.