Much of the reason the Milwaukee Bucks are the favorites to win the NBA championship this season is thanks to their towering star, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The forward continues to amaze the NBA world game after game with an unmatched combination of scoring, playmaking and defense. His statistics this season reached a plateau only achieved by the great Wilt Chamberlain, one of the legends of the game.
A native of Athens, Greece, "The Greek Freak" has averaged more than 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game in 63 games played. In addition to these statistics, he is the third of the top 50 scorers this season in terms of field goal percentage (55.3%), trailing only Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (63.2%) and Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (61.5%). What truly sets him apart is that his defense is on par with his offensive talent.
Only 2 players in NBA history have averaged 30+ PPG, 10+ RPG, and 5+ APG on 50%+ shooting in a season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Wilt ChamberlainOnly ONE player in NBA history has averaged those numbers on 55%+ shooting.
Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/7UwbhkZa9y
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 9, 2023
In 2021, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the NBA title and was named MVP of the season. Antetokounmpo's contribution on the court during this regular season helped the Bucks strengthen their lead in the Eastern Conference and consolidate their position as one of the top championship contenders, along with the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Antetokounmpos: a generation of brothers dedicated to basketball
Giannis Antetokounmpo actually shares a locker room with his older brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo. THe latter is a bench contributor for the Bucks. He played 37 games in the regular season, averaging 1.4 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
The family saga does not end with them: after Thanasis and Giannis there is Kostas. The third of the brothers plays center for Fenerbahçe Beko in Turkey, one of the best teams in Europe over the past decade.
Finally, there is Alexandros. The youngest Antetokounmpo plays for the Wisconsin Herd, an NBA G League team, after a brief stint in the Spanish league.
