FanDuel NBA Daily Picks: Fantasy Basketball Lineup For December 28
Dec 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks the ball over Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The same player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, leads the Milwaukee Bucks in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game, making him a perfect addition to any FanDuel NBA lineup.
A five-tool player in basketball is among the rarest commodities in the sport.
Few players are capable of providing a steady impact in all major categories: scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks.
Even less common are the ones that can provide the highest numbers for a franchise across the board.
Since the league began tracking blocks and steals as official statistics in 1973-74, only five players, Julius Erving, Dave Cowens, Scottie Pippen, Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett have ever posted the highest averages in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks for a team in a year.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is poised to join the prestigious list.
The shift over to point guard has enabled Antetokounmpo to not only pace the Bucks in each statistical category, but he ranks among the NBA’s top 20 in each figure.
Antetokounmpo is tied for fifth in steals (2.0 per game), tied for sixth in blocks (1.9), 14th in scoring (23.4 points), 16th in rebounds (9.1) and tied for 18th in assists (5.8).
On both ends of the floor, Antetokounmpo is performing at an elite level. The 22-year-old ranks sixth in Real Plus-Minus and third in transition points per game at 6.6.
He is able to navigate to anywhere on the court he wants, leading to a league-high 5.9 made shots per game inside the restricted area for Antetokounmpo.
The wide spanning impact of Antetokounmpo places him in unprecedented territory, as he is the only player in the league to post at least 50 steals and 50 blocks this season.
"By the time he's done his name will be next to Kareem"
RETWEET NOW to vote Giannis Antetokounmpo to NBA All-Star 2017!!#NBAVote pic.twitter.com/xhpByODPaP
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 26, 2016
More from Hoops Habit
Antetokounmpo is five blocks away from joining Hall-of-Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only player in league history to average at least 22 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game.
The result has been Antetokounmpo becoming one of the most rewarding roster options in FanDuel NBA leagues.
For each of the past eight games, Antetokounmpo has posted at least 45 points in FanDuel NBA play. During the dominant run, he has averaged 28 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Antetokounmpo has even been playing his most efficient basketball of the season, posting six shooting efforts of 50 percent or higher during the span.
For any FanDuel NBA roster, Antetokounmpo is a smart addition.
Dec 18, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Toronto Raptors defeated the Orlando Magic 109-79. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Point Guards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Shooting Guards For Wednesday
Nov 9, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) dunks against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Shooting Guards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Small Forwards For Wednesday
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Small Forwards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Power Forwards For Wednesday
Nov 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Serge Ibaka (7) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs small forward Davis Bertans (42) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Power Forwards
Rationale:
Next: Top Four Centers And Final Lineup For Wednesday
Dec 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) shoots the ball in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Pistons won 117-90. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Top Four Centers
Rationale:
Next: NBA Draft: Best Player Ever Selected in all 60 Spots
Final Lineup
PG Kemba Walker ($7,600)
PG Austin Rivers ($4,600)
SG Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,300)
SG Sean Kilpatrick ($5,300)
SF Otto Porter ($5,800)
SF Andrew Wiggins ($6,300)
PF Jabari Parker ($6,800)
PF Serge Ibaka ($6,300)
C DeAndre Jordan ($7,000)
