Giannis Antetokounmpo: 3 stats that show why he deserves MVP award

96.5

Along with the best net rating in all of the NBA, Antetokounmpo’s 96.5 defensive rating also tops the league in that department.

Owners of the best defense for the second straight year, Milwaukee’s elite defensive prowess has been the backbone of their success under head coach Mike Budenholzer. And it’s Antetokounmpo’s blend of size, athleticism, length and reactive quickness that makes him the most valuable defender in the league.

It’s true that Antetokounmpo’s raw defensive numbers are down this season as he’s averaged both a block and a steal per game. However, that doesn’t make his influence on that side of the ball any less staggering.

Take Antetokounmpo’s ability to alter shots while defending the rim, for example. The 25-year-old holds the best defended field goal percentage mark at 41.8 percent on shots taken within six feet of the basket this season.

Just as the Lopez brothers closely follow Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ defensive scheme is designed to smother opponents in shutting off the most valuable shot in basketball. They’ve done exactly by both allowing the fewest attempts taken in the restricted area and the lowest opponent field goal percentage on such shots this season.

And as the Bucks’ manhandling of the defensive glass rises into record-breaking territory, Antetokounmpo stands as one of most prolific rebounders in the game today, especially on that side of the ball. Antetokounmpo compiled a whopping 30.5 defensive rebounding percentage this year, standing only behind Cleveland Cavaliers big man Andre Drummond.

The Bucks’ collective defensive makeup is so strong and elite at this stage that it rates very highly historically when comparing similar elite defensive units. And it’s the innate gifts and strengths of Antetokounmpo that particularly helps the Bucks’ defensive greatness click to this degree.