Nearing the end of our top 25 player rankings, we arrive at Giannis Antetokounmpo—an elite two-way player who impacts the game in many ways. Giannis has incredibly developed from a raw athleticism prospect with a high upside into a two-time MVP and one of the faces of the league.
Top 25 NBA Players 2023-24: No. 2 Giannis Antetokounmpo
The League’s Best Two-way Star
The value of a two-way player has increased in the last decade. No player is as elite as Giannis on both ends of the floor. He is the only player in the league with a legit case as a top-three player on both ends. He is a 30-point scorer who’s a dominant interior presence and freak athlete. Additionally, Giannis is also a good playmaker and ball-handler for his size. Defensively, Giannis is incredibly versatile and impactful. He can guard several positions while wreaking havoc with his athleticism and size, making him a great rim protector. This all comes together to form one of the most dangerous and dominant players of all time.
Season Recap
Last year, the Bucks had an impressive regular season campaign. Including 58 wins en route to the number one seed in the East and the best record league-wide. Unsurprisingly, Giannis continued his excellence, averaging over 30 points and 10 rebounds while remaining one of the league’s best defenders. As a result, he was in the midst of a loaded and controversial MVP race. Ultimately, Giannis finished third. However, he had an excellent case to win the award and received 12 first-place votes.
Unfortunately, the Bucks’ success did not continue in the playoffs. The Bucks were heavily favored against the eighth-seeded Miami Heat despite their playoff experience. Giannis went down with a knee injury early in Game 1, leading the Heat to steal that contest. Giannis remained sidelined for Games 2 and 3 before returning for Game 4.
The Heat were up 2-1 heading into Game 4. The Bucks were up double digits in the fourth quarter before Miami outscored them 41-25 to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Jimmy Butler had a legendary 56-point performance, including 21 fourth-quarter points. The Heat closed out the series in Game 5 after another fourth-quarter comeback and brilliant Butler performance. While Giannis had impressive games when he returned, it was clear his knee was still not 100%. Ultimately, after such a disappointing finish, it was clear the Bucks needed to make changes.
Season Outlook: Are the Bucks Title Favorites?
After a first-round exit, the Bucks swiftly fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, replacing him with Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. However, this was not the Bucks’ most significant offseason acquisition. The Bucks shocked the league in late September by trading for Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. The Lillard trade certainly boosts Milwaukee’s title odds and makes life easier for Giannis. The Giannis and Dame duo is a match made in heaven. The move gives the Bucks an elite combination of interior and perimeter play.
Similarly, Dame’s shooting alongside Giannis’ athleticism is intriguing. Furthermore, this duo’s two-man game and pick-and-roll upside are off the charts. Dame’s presence will significantly improve the Bucks’ offense and title chances. As a result, Giannis is arguably the MVP favorite.
The Last Word
Giannis is number two after being the near-consensus top player last year. However, many outlets, including ESPN, still rank him first. Others believe the latest playoff events have caused Giannis to lose his title as the league’s best player. While Giannis is the league’s second-best as of now, he has a chance to reclaim his title as the top player after this year.
