Zach Lowe of ESPN.com recently released his crazy predictions for the 2016-17 season and among them was Giannis Antetokounmpo making his first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game. Giannis made a big leap during the 2015-16 season, posting career highs in points (16.9), rebounds (7.7), assists (4.3), blocks (1.4) and steals (1.2) per game.
Lowe mentions that it won't be easy for Giannis to find his way to New Orleans for the 2017 All-Star Game, with plenty of competition in the East behind presumed All-Star picks LeBron James, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony:
The path isn't easy for Greek Freak, even though he might come closer than Russell Westbrook to averaging a triple-double. Fans will probably vote LeBron, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony into the three starting Eastern Conference “frontcourt” spots, leaving Antetokounmpo to battle Paul Millsap, Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, Kevin Love, Andre Drummond, Dwight Howard, Nicolas Batum, Nikola Vucevic and a bunch of others for one of five backup slots (three for front-court guys, and two wild cards).
Although despite the stiff competition, Giannis' numbers from last season compare favorably to all of the names listed above who could be battling it out with him for one of the final five backup slots in 2016-17. The Greek Freak ranked third in scoring behind only Vucevic (18.2 ppg) and Millsap (17.1 ppg) and his stat line of 16.9/7.7/4.3 for the season is the closest average to a triple-double of all those names.
It won't be easy for Antetokounmpo to become the first Bucks All-Star since Michael Redd in 2004, but with another leap forward on the court this season, Giannis could very well see himself be named one of the Eastern Conference's best.
