Jason Kidd says Giannis Antetokounmpo will start at point guard in 2016-17
With their season in the sewer, the Milwaukee Bucks are already planning for next year. First order of business? Giving their starting point guard position a permanent Greek flavor.
Bucks head coach Jason Kidd declared on Tuesday that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be his full-time starting point guard in the 2016-17 season, per Charles Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd said Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the team's point guard heading into next season.
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) March 29, 2016
Antetokounmpo began starting at the 1 in February and has been an absolute epiphany since then. Post-All-Star break, he is averaging an unreal 18.5 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 7.3 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, and 1.9 blocks per game on 50.2% shooting from the field. Antetokounmpo has also recorded four triple-doubles over that span, thoroughly earning his new nickname of “Magic Giannison.”
In terms of his ability at the position, Antetokounmpo more than holds his own. He has a frighteningly smooth handle, can get from here to Saturn in four dribbles, and has really developed as a playmaker this season. Oh, and did I mention the passing angles and the floor vision that come from the fact that he’s 6-foot-freakin’-11?!?
Antetokounmpo can struggle with tight on-ball pressure and turnovers at times. But at just 21 years of age, there’s still a lot of room left for growth.
Though The Greek Freak may have ascended to point guard duties thanks to the season-ending injury to and overall ineffectiveness of Michael Carter-Williams, Kidd is leaving no doubt as to who will hold the reins to the Bucks offense come next year.
Time to start licking our chops, basketball brethren. Opa!
H/T Rotoworld
