By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
In 2016 something that very few expected happened. We all knew that Giannis Antetokounmpo was good and he was going to be great, but not so fast. The GMs vote at the start of the season, naming Giannis Antetokounmpo the best non US player of the NBA, was a wake up call and there’s more to the story.
Giannis is averaging in 31 games 23.4 points (a ten points jump from his career average of 13.5), 8.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and the only thing that he can’t do well enough yet is shooting the three, having a 28.4% efficiency. His numbers after last season’s All Star Break were improved and also the decision to let him play as point guard gave him the freedom that he needed.
After all Giannis was playing as a point guard in the Greek junior level and despite the fact that most NBA teams were skeptical about him being able to do something like that in the highest level, the player himself and the people close to him insisted that he should have the ball in his hands and make decisions. The body growth of Giannis is an added bonus, not the characteristic that defines his game.
Born in Athens 22 years ago, Giannis can be the modern version of Magic Johnson, something that has been whispered by his coaches. He is currently 7th on the official NBA MVP watch, behind only Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Steph Curry.
However, this is stating the obvious. What’s strange is that the obvious is not acknowledge outside the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo should be the favorite for the FIBA player of the year award, not only in 2017, but probably in 2016 with Milos Teodosic, because of the success he enjoyed with CSKA Moscow and his national team, being the only other real contender.
Still on one-on-one level, the genius of Teodosic can’t be compared with the Giannis phenomenon. This situation reminds what happened in 2014 when Dario Saric beat Giannis on the vote for the FIBA U20 player. While Saric’ numbers were obviously better, the fact that Antetokounmpo was already turning heads in the NBA did not count as much as it should.
To be exact even we at Eurohoops believed that Saric would get the award and while the Croatian is a great talent, it’s obvious at this point that he does not have the potential of Giannis and he is not at the same level as a player.
Saric, as expected, ended up winning the award as the “experts” – I was one of them – overturned the fans’ vote. After two years, that decision can be declared officially wrong and with the basketball borders, especially between the NBA and Europe, open more than ever, it’s time for FIBA, fans and the European basketball community to embrace the future.