Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently living up this his nickname 'The Greek Freak.' Drafted 15th overall in 2013, Antetokounmpo was not seen to be someone who could be a face of an organization. Three years later, the 22-year-old is not just a big part Milwaukee Bucks' success but he has also put himself as one of the biggest stars in the National Basketball Association.
After averaging 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals last season, Antetokounmpo has upped his numbers to 23.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.9 steals to lead the Milwaukee Bucks at sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Those numbers are not just LeBron James-esque but Antetokounmpo is also doing everything at the same number of minutes he played last year, per ESPN Stats.
Against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, the 6-foot-11 point-forward also showed a glimpse of an array of things he can do by silencing the Madison Square Garden with a stepback buzzer beater en route to a 105-104 win for the Bucks.
But what is more impressive with Antetokounmpo's showing this season is he is just 22 years old and has not reached his peak yet. From the 2013-2014 season, the Greek baller has improved his shooting every year. Now, he is shooting 53.7 percent from the field, virtually the best among non-centers with Otto Porter and Kevin Durant shooting at a 53.8 clip.
With his astounding numbers, he has a chance to join an elite club of players who led their teams in five different statistical categories-points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. The feat has only been done four times in NBA history by James, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett and Dave Cowens, Forbes reported.
Antetokounmpo is in place to be named along the all-time greats, Bucks coach Jason Kidd believes. In reality, it is not farfetched to see him being included in the all-time great discussion as he proved against the Knicks when he dropped 27 points (10-for-18 shooting), 13 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal.