Milwaukee Bucks: What Giannis Antetokounmpo must do to win MVP

Improve his shooting

Since Giannis has been in the league and wowed us with his freakish athleticism and skills, the knock on his game has always been jumper. Almost any time an NBA analyst would praise Giannis, it would be followed with the aside of “if he develops his jumper…”

Since his rookie season, Giannis has improved marginally when it comes to shooting as he’s slowly expanded it into his game. Last season was the first since his rookie year that he shot over 30 percent from three.

That’s not exactly setting the world on fire, but it was obvious that while under former coach Jason Kidd the reigns were firmly in place. Giannis was discouraged from ever shooting outside the paint, and it clearly affected his confidence as he hesitated nearly any time he was presented with an open shot attempt.

This season, now under the tutelage of new coach Mike Budenholzer, the gloves seem to have come off. It may just be preseason, but watch how Giannis on multiple occasions confidently steps into a three when his defender gives him space during the Bucks’ preseason finale.

Playing in a system that emphasizes outside shooting seems to clearly have rubbed off on Giannis. If he improves his deep shooting in the slightest, to the point where it’s a legitimate threat, voters will appreciate his improvement.

He doesn’t have to become Steph Curry, instead he should look for inspiration from LeBron. No one would say LeBron is a knock-down shooter, but he can bury it when he gets going and you have to guard him on the outside.

If Giannis can approach that territory, where he’s at least expected to make it when he’s wide-open, he’ll have the appeal of having an all-around game, something MVP voters appreciate.