Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: Player of the Week (Jan 29 – Feb 4)

By John Heffernon

Jan 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is congratulated by guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) after scoring the game winning basket at the buzzer against New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks won 105-104. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is congratulated by guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) after scoring the game winning basket at the buzzer against New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks won 105-104. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Feb 4, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks won 137-112. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks won 137-112. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Bucks Player of the Week Rankings

  1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  2. Jabari Parker
  3. Malcolm Brogdon

The Greek Freak played in all three games this week and averaged 35.9 minutes, 20.7 points (on 53.5 percent shooting), 8.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 blocks per game. He was tied for the lead in points, was second in rebounds, assists, and blocks, and was tied for third in steals.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finally had some competition for the top spot. In a week where he did not outright lead a single statistically category for the first time this season, he was finally vulnerable. But Jabari couldn’t take advantage. Giannis was just a bit too good once again and snuck out of week 15 with the fictitious trophy.

The reason Antetokounmpo was player of the week for the 14th time in 15 tries was because he kept pace with Parker in terms of points, rebounds, steals, free throw attempts, and shooting percentage but totally pulled away from Parker in terms of assists and blocks.

Though he was once again the best player on the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis had a down week. He was below his season averages in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. But, like last week, even in a down week Antetokounmpo was fantastic. Here is how he compares to some of his peers on a per game basis over the past three games:

  • 21 players averaged at least 6 free throw attempts and shot 75 percent from the line.
  • 17 players averaged at least 20 points and shot 50 percent from the field.
  • 15 players averaged at least 20 points and 5 assists.
  • Eight players averaged at least 20 points and 8 rebounds.
  • Seven players averaged at least 1 steal and 2 blocks.
  • Six players averaged at least 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
  • Three players averaged at least 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
  • One player averaged at least 20, 8, 5, 1, and 2.

Giannis, like always, finds a way to do something that only the league’s elite, if anyone, can match. His versatility is unparalleled in the NBA today. Even when players are filling up stat sheets at unprecedented rates, Antetokounmpo still finds a way to be completely unique.

More from Behind the Buck Pass

Giannis has become a block machine in his fourth year in the league. He is one of only seven players in the league to average a minimum of two blocks per game. He is the only point guard on that list. But he is also the only point guard approaching seven feet tall. Regardless, there are a bevy of seven footers who fail to register even just one block per game.

The blocks might be the most energizing contribution Giannis provides to the Bucks. His swats totally mitigate an opposing team’s momentum and if they occur at home they are a catalyst to a rowdy crowd at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

No matter how well or poorly he plays, his shot-blocking and shot-altering skills seem to join him every game. It makes the Bucks significantly better defensively, even though the win column doesn’t always show it.

All of Antetokounmpo’s statistics were pretty pedestrian in week 15. Pedestrian in the 6’11” elite athlete with fantastic basketball IQ, impressive scoring abilities, and an unstoppable gyro-step kind of way. As we have said before, a bad week for the Greek Freak is a career week for even above average NBA players.

Giannis is the Milwaukee Bucks player of the week, player of the season, and potentially player of the millennium. He has a legitimate chance to be the best player in the NBA one day.

Home/Bucks News