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Toronto Raptors: Where does Kawhi Leonard rank in the M.V.P race?

By Thomas Valentine

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby and C.J. Miles, Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

48 Games Played/26.4 PPG/12.6 RPG/5.9 APG/62.9 TS%

Giannis Antetokounmpo has always been a superstar-in-waiting. After winning the Most Improved Player of the season in 2017, his ascension to greatness has been a natural progression. Leading the Bucks to the best record in the NBA (by winning percentage), Antetokounmpo was the runaway favorite early on in this season.

Averaging career-highs in effective field-goal percentage, points, rebounds and assists, Giannis has transitioned into a top-10 player in the NBA and a two-way monster. The unique style of Antetokounmpo meshes perfectly with his Milwaukee teammates, the Bucks have stockpiled shooters like Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon around Giannis, giving him the perfect formula to succeed. Giannis is averaging 12 two-point attempts from less than 10-feet a game, the second most in the league behind Andre Drummond. Giannis, however, is making 70-percent of those shots, a remarkable output. That really sums up the dominance he has in the paint.

The floor spacing around Giannis allows him to drive into the paint and attract help defenders, from where he can kick the ball out to Middleton or another shooter averaging over 37-percent from three, of which there are five more. If Giannis doesn’t kick it out, you can bet your life that he’s going to dunk over whoever stands in his way. With the addition of a jump shot, Antetokounmpo would be the best player in the league, most likely. However, he’s only shooting 19-percent from three with no sign of improvement.

As an active stats defender, Giannis is averaging just over one steal and one block a game. Percentage-wise, his ability to contest shots from anywhere on the court is key. Giannis has the size, length and speed to get out to the three-point line to contest deep shots, and to swat away shots in the paint. He’s proving this season that he can do it all, at an elite level.

Giannis was the runaway favorite early on, but with the metamorphic rise of James Harden over the last two months, Antetokounmpo no longer finds himself as the leader. Despite being the best player on the best team in the NBA. The Bucks will likely finish as the number one or two seed in the Eastern Conference, a deep run in the playoffs is likely as long as Giannis stays healthy, whether he can win the M.V.P award is a different story though. But, if anyone can rival Harden it’s the Greek Freak.

Probability of winning: If the Bucks finish first, it’s highly possible.

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