Giannis Antetokounmpo had a pretty good year in 2021-22, 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. He also became the first player to be unanimous First Team All-NBA four consecutive times. In a recent ESPN survey he was named as the best player in the NBA currently. In the same survey he was named as the player that will be the best in the NBA five years from now. Not that he would care but Giannis also has the highest NBA 2K rating.
It’s quite evident that analysts, coaches, executives and his peers think highly of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Demar DeRozan recently joined JJ Reddick on his ‘The Old Man and the Three’ podcast and had great things to say about Giannis.
But what should Giannis Antetokounmpo aim to do in 2022-23? There isn’t much Giannis hasn’t already accomplished, multiple MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year award, Most Improved Player award, the aforementioned consecutive All-NBA teams plus a championship and Finals MVP. There are some milestones Giannis could look to surpass in franchise numbers and in the league at large but for the upcoming season Giannis will likely be focused on replicating his performance of the highest level.
Giannis Antetokounmpo goals for 2022-23: Fifth consecutive unanimous All-NBA First Team
Giannis Antetokounmpo is already the first player to accomplish this feat four consecutive years. James Harden, Michael Jordan and Lebron James are the only others to do so three consecutive times. Giannis seems poised to make a strong run at a fifth consecutive unanimous All-NBA First Team.
Seeing how Giannis played in the Eurobasket competition suggests he may already be in midseason form before the regular season even begins.
Giannis Antetokounmpo played just two preseason games for the Bucks, one in Abu Dhabi and the other in the preseason finale. While his field goal percentage left something to be desired, watching Antetokounmpo play last week, he passes the eye test and he looks ready to get the regular season underway.
In the preseason finale Giannis scored a game high 24 points and while he shot just 6-of-21, he made 12-of-15 free throws. If Giannis hits his free throws at a steady clip in 2022-23, on top of his already dominant scoring ability, underrated passing and strong rebounding, Giannis could very easily be staring down a furthering of his already NBA record.
Giannis Antetokounmpo goals for 2022-23: MVP and Defensive Player of the Year
Giannis Antetokounmpo is already only one of three players to win the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan as the only ones to do both.
Giannis has certainly done MVP caliber things over the last two seasons and without voter fatigue being real could conceivably a four time consecutive MVP along with his unanimous All-NBA selections, however Nikola Jokic is equally deserving for his impact.
Giannis will certainly be a factor in both award categories, in 2021-22 he finished third in MVP voting and sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. I’ve already mentioned several times the unanimous All-NBA First Team, Giannis was also First Team All-Defensive as well, teammate Jrue Holiday made the Second Team.
Giannis will certainly be in the mix for both awards and with a strong season could conceivably win both by providing strong stats like he is known for, showing improvement in areas he’s struggled, which he’s done so far especially at the free throw line, continuing his dominance and providing some signature moments on big stages. The Milwaukee Bucks have 23 nationally televised games this season, plenty of eyes on the Bucks for Giannis to make statements.
Giannis Antetokounmpo goals for 2022-23: Championship and Finals MVP
If there is one MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to win in 2022-23, it is certainly the one that comes with two trophies. Knowing the character that Giannis has shown since he has been in the NBA and the focus of his goals, winning a championship is almost guaranteed to be the first one on his list.
The Bucks are still just over a year past winning their first NBA Championship in 50 years due to the delayed start of the 2020-21 season that caused the NBA Finals to take place in July 2021. It was also the cause of some scrutiny with the 2021-22 season starting on time just three months after the previous season ended. Not to mention three players from the 2021 Finals, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Devin Booker, played for Team USA in between. This season the entire league got a full off-season to recover.
Giannis Antetokounmpo spent a large chunk of his off-season playing in the Eurobasket tournament, which he shined in. Giannis has no off-switch and it shows. Giannis’ dedication to his goals is second to none.
With a healthy roster around him the Milwaukee Bucks can expect to be contenders not only in the Eastern Conference but among the favorites to win the NBA title in 2022-23, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo once again.
The Milwaukee Bucks open the season against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night.