Hold onto your hats, basketball fans, because Giannis Antetokounmpo is on fire, and the NBA world is taking notice. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this the peak of his career, or is there still more to come? Let’s dive in.
The NBA season is just getting started, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is already making a strong case for his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) title. Through the first seven games, he’s averaging an impressive 32.3 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. His field goal percentage of 67.7% ranks him fourth in the league, and his clutch performances have been nothing short of spectacular. One standout moment? His step-back game-winner against the Indiana Pacers, a shot that left fans and critics alike in awe. (Check it out here: Giannis' Game-Winner)
And this is the part most people miss: Antetokounmpo delivered this dominant performance while nursing a left knee injury that had him listed as questionable before the game. His fadeaway game-winner—only the second of his career—showcased not just his physical prowess but also his mental toughness. (For more on his buzzer-beaters, visit Basketball Reference)
After the game, Giannis shared his thought process: ‘I just wanted to make sure I take the last shot. I was thinking, ‘Start your dribble at like six seconds, shoot it at like two or one second, and just shoot it long.’ Which I did, and it went in.’ (Read more about his post-game thoughts here: NY Times Athletic)
For Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, Giannis’ hot start isn’t surprising. ‘He just keeps working. He’s very serious about this profession. He keeps adding to his game,’ Rivers told reporters. ‘When you watch him work at the gym, you understand it. The best form of leadership is your best player just getting to work every day and it kind of makes everyone else do it too.’ (Watch Rivers’ full comments here: The Athletic NBA Daily)
Giannis is currently averaging a staggering 34 points on 70% true shooting, and Doc Rivers believes we haven’t even seen his best yet. ‘I don’t think we’ve seen his best yet,’ Rivers said. ‘I think he’s just going to keep getting better.’ (See the full clip here: The Athletic NBA Daily)
Despite his incredible start, Giannis currently has the fifth-shortest odds to win the league MVP, trailing behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama. If the season ended today, his 32.3 points per game would surpass his career high by over a point. But Rivers isn’t ready to declare this his best stretch ever—yet.
‘I can’t judge that. It’s the best I’ve seen, but I don’t think we’ve seen his best yet, any of us,’ Rivers added. This raises a thought-provoking question: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo already at his peak, or is there still untapped potential waiting to be unleashed?
What do you think? Is Giannis already at his best, or is there more to come? Let us know in the comments below! For more updates on the Milwaukee Bucks, visit Milwaukee Bucks on SI. And don’t forget to check out the latest news on the recently-cut Bucks forward signing with the Cavaliers (here: SI News) and the key Bucks guard ejected in the fourth quarter of the Kings game (here: SI News).
