Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Your Game of Thrones guide to the 2017-18 NBA season

By Jonathan Macri

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 15: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 15, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 15: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 15, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

"“Winter is coming”"

– Anyone with a clue, about Giannis Antetokounmpo

Yea, we’re giving it to the Freak.

If Bill Simmons were still writing his annual trade value column, he’d have one hell of a dilemma on his hands this year.

The Warriors, if they keep the band together, are as safe a bet to win a title this year as any in recent memory. They’d be insane to trade anyone that made that outcome even 5% less likely. Karl-Anthony Towns is 21 years old and might be the best center in the NBA before the end of this season. Russell Westbrook is the reigning MVP at the helm of a legit contender, and he’s locked up for 6 years. Kawhi Leonard – quad be damned – is the brainchild of Cyberdyne Systems and was created by Skynet. He is not human.

Giannis is more untouchable than all of them.

He lead the Bucks in point, boards, dimes, steals and blocks last year – only the fifth player to do so since the league began recording steals and blocks 44 years ago. Scottie Pippen and Dave Cowens were 29 when they accomplished the feat. Kevin Garnett was 26, LeBron 24.

Giannis was 21 when last season began. He has not yet learned how to shoot, but it’s coming. In the past three seasons, his threes attempted has risen from .5 to 1.4 to 2.3 while his percentage has increased from .159 to .272.

Essentially a non-shooter last year, he was still fourth in BasketballReference.com’s VORP ranking after Russ, Harden, and James. How teams plan on guarding him when he can make even a third of his attempts from deep is anyone’s guess.

Home/NBA News