Despite losing Jabari Parker for the season with a torn ACL and revelation Michael Beasley for weeks with a knee injury, the Bucks have been surging of late and have found themselves in the No. 8 seed in the eastern conference.
That is exactly where any NBA fan outside of Chicago or Miami should want them to stay. Experiencing Giannis Antetokounmpo or the Greek Freak, in the NBA Playoffs this season would be a true treat. Greek Freak is having one of the best seasons in NBA history for a 21-year old. He is shooting 53 percent from the field.
Here is his 2016-17 season at the age of 21 compared to some other current and former NBA greats who made a postseason appearance after a highly productive season at the age of 21:
Greek Freak 23-9-5
Kevin Garnett 18-9-4 (1997-98 season, lost in 1st round of playoffs)
Dwight Howard 17-12-2 (2006-07 season, lost in 1st round of playoffs)
Tracy McGrady 25-8-5 (2001-02 season, lost in 1st round of the playoffs)
Kevin Durant 30-8-3 (2009-10 season, lost in 1st round)
Tim Duncan 21-12-2 (1997-98, lost in 2nd round of the playoffs)
Michael Jordan 28-6-6 (1984-85, lost in 1st round of the playoffs)
LeBron James 31-7-7 (2005-06, lost in 2nd round of playoffs)
Greek Freak could join some elite company of players who were able to lead their teams to the postseason at the tender age of 21. It would be a lot of fun to see him compete against the defending champs and the most impressive member on this list in LeBron James.
It could be a huge learning experience for Antetokounmpo and give the league a peek into the future of the league and the eastern conference when LeBron passes the torch to the next generation, which the Greek Freak could be at the forefront of. It would be much like a young Kevin Durant squaring off with a late prime Kobe in their highly competitive six game series in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs.
The 2017 postseason is appearing to becoming more interesting and less pre-determined by the day, an inclusion of a 21-year-old superstar in his big leap season to superstardom could make it even more fun.
