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Milwaukee Bucks: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo be a MVP candidate in 2017-18?

By Derek Tahara

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after driving to the hoop against DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on April 22, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after driving to the hoop against DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on April 22, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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Can Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo be a legit NBA MVP candidate in 2017-18?

Giannis Antetokounmpo, at age 22, is already one of the blossoming superstars in the NBA. Coming off a season in which he won the Most Improved Player award averaging career-highs at 22.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game and 5.4 assists per game, he has improved in every major statistical category each year he has been in the league.

It is no wonder he considers himself to be the possible MVP of the NBA next season. In a Bleacher Report article, Antetokounmpo said he might be the MVP this year.

His rise as a player has been steady, until this past season when it was meteoric. His numbers jumped from 16.9 points per game the season prior to 22.9 points per game this past season, 7.7 rebounds per game to 8.8 and 4.3 assists per game in 2015-16 to 5.4 assists per game this past year.

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His skillset and body type is unmatched to anyone in the league. Think of Russell Westbrook, but stretched out to a 6-foot-11 size. That is Giannis Antetokounmpo. His long strides combined with a powerful finishing ability already puts the opposition in a bind. Did I mention he could essentially euro-step from Greece to Norway? In other words, his strides are so long that defenders cannot react properly and end up getting dunked on by the “Greek Freak.”

It is not just on the offensive end where Antetokounmpo thrives. He is a defensive stalwart. This past season, he averaged 1.9 blocks 1.6 steals per game – both career highs.

His length, anticipation and leaping ability gives the offensive team problems because he is always looking to get into the passing lanes or give defensive help on the interior and start a fast break.

It is quite possible that Antetokounmpo could be an MVP candidate, but maybe not the overall MVP of the league next season. It is because there are players and teams that are at higher levels than Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks team, such as Westbrook, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

However, if Antetokounmpo starts to hit a consistent jumpshot from mid-range and beyond the arc, his game will rise meteorically and he could have a shot at the MVP. How would you stop a player who now can shoot the jumper with regularity and drive to the basket with such force that LeBron James and Russell Westbrook would be proud of?

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If he gets a consistent shot next season, he could have a shot at the NBA MVP.

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