Giannis Antetokounmpo has expanded his game post-All-Star break

Winning MVP in each of the past two seasons and backing it up with minimal postseason success, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s case for a third MVP was an uphill battle from the beginning.

Voter fatigue had undoubtedly set in, and Giannis was an afterthought in the discussion early on this season. A large factor in that was an inconsistent stretch to start the season for both Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who justifiably went through growing pains after their significant roster turnover this offseason.

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However, following that turbulent start, the Bucks have found some rhythm as they currently sit at third in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-17 record.

Antetokounmpo has also found his groove following his tough start, having another MVP caliber campaign. In fact, his chances at taking home the honors once again have spiked lately, as he ranks second in NBA.com’s most recent MVP ladder only behind Nikola Jokic.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on a tear following the All-Star break.

In the nine games since the break with Antetokounmpo in the lineup, the Bucks have gone 7-2. Although the two-time MVP’s scoring has regressed in this brief stretch by averaging 25.8 points while shooting 55.8 percent from the floor, his numbers elsewhere are undoubtedly eye-catching.

First and foremost, Antetokounmpo is shooting 56-for-71 from the free throw line in this run, a much-improved 78.9 percent. After starting the season with the worst shooting percentage of his career, this recent surge in percentage is undoubtedly a welcoming sign. Knocking down his shots from the line with consistency has been among the most apparent flaws in Antetokounmpo’s game over the past few years, and he has been much better in this nine-game stretch.

Sticking with shooting, Giannis has looked far more comfortable from the perimeter by knocking down a whopping 41.4 percent of his triples. While it comes in a small sample size of 12-for-29, it is refreshing to see him knock down those shots with some efficiency. The true test is whether this recent shooting surge can be somewhat sustainable. That outside shot would be a lethal addition to his arsenal, and this recent stretch displays promise moving forward.

Another area that the Greek Freak has improved vastly in this season entirely is his playmaking as he’s averaging a career-best 6.3 assists per game. He has upped those numbers throughout these nine games, tallying a whopping 7.8 assists. Showing off his facilitating prowess, Giannis has been getting his teammates more involved in the action than ever before.

This has certainly caught the attention of many, including Bucks general manager Jon Horst, who sung praise for the two-time MVP’s improvement this year. Transcribed by Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated:

"“The pace that he is playing at is different,” Bucks GM Jon Horst said in a telephone interview. “He’s playing with more control. He’s picking his spots. That’s the kind of thing you only get through maturity… He is a better player this year than in the years he won.”"

Is Horst right in saying that Antetokounmpo genuinely playing the best basketball of his career right now? He certainly has a strong case, particularly given his all-around efforts lately. All in all, Giannis is averaging 25.8 points on .558/.414/.789 shooting splits, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists over his last nine appearances.

If he can keep these numbers consistent down the stretch while it translates to winning for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo could be well on his way to winning his third consecutive MVP award.