Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ eight-time All-NBA celebrity ahead, is a one-man fastbreak.
That is been true for some time, and it is held true this season by way of the previous eye take a look at, however now it seems it is also, metrically, a actuality.
The 6-foot-11 massive man, who leads the league in scoring with 32.6 factors per recreation, additionally leads the league by a big margin in quick break scoring. By NBA.comthe 29-year-old is averaging 6.1 quick break factors per recreation, far forward of Toronto Raptors small ahead RJ Barrett and Phoenix Suns All-Star ahead Kevin Durant, who each common 5.4 quick break factors per evening, though Barrett is current. with the second most quick break factors and Durant is third.
LA Clippers capturing guard Norman Powell, one of many main contenders for Most Improved Participant this season, is averaging 4.6 quick break factors per evening, fourth highest within the league. Denver Nuggets capturing guard Christian Braun rounds out the highest 5, additionally averaging 4.6 quick break factors per evening.
Clearly, these averages are rounded to the primary decimal place, so Barrett’s rely should be a bit forward of Durant, whereas Powell’s should be a bit higher than Braun’s.
Antetokounmpo’s MVP-caliber play this season nearly single-handedly saved his Bucks afloat, earlier than some tactical reconfigurations of Doc Rivers’ roster helped the remainder of Milwaukee catch up. The 2-time league MVP scores his 32.6 factors per recreation on a reasonably environment friendly 61.6 p.c capturing fee from the sphere (largely across the rim, which he can get to in mere seconds from the half -field) and a career-worst 61.1 p.c capturing fee. of the charity band. He additionally averages 11.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.5 steals per contest.
Milwaukee presently averages an 11-10 report on the yr, good for the fifth-best complete within the Jap Convention – though that report is a giant enchancment from its brutal 2-8 begin to the season. The membership’s rating and protection are fairly common. Milwaukee averages 113.6 factors per recreation, which ranks thirteenth within the league, and permits its opponent 112.5 factors per recreation, which ranks solely fifteenth.
Finally, the previous Defensive Participant of the 12 months’s two-way particular person manufacturing is not an issue for the Bucks. The membership wants extra targets and extra protection on the wings.
Happily, Milwaukee will convey again somebody who can assist in each of these departments – former three-time All-Star small ahead Khris Middleton, who is predicted to make his season debut Friday in opposition to the Boston Celtics.
Be taught extra: Milwaukee All-Star Khris Middleton returns Friday in opposition to Celtics
Middleton underwent surgical procedure on each ankles throughout the offseason. Over 55 wholesome video games final yr, Middleton averaged 15.1 factors with .493/.381/.833 capturing splits, 5.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 0.9 steals per evening . His alternative within the beginning lineup this yr, veteran 3-and-D Taurean Prince, is off to a remarkably efficient capturing begin, however he is not as a lot of a scoring precedence in Milwaukee’s offense as will likely be Middleton, and struggled to defend the small wings. .
Prince is averaging 9.0 factors with .508/.556/.846 capturing splits, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per evening.
Extra money: Milwaukee soars in newest NBA Energy Rankings
