Giannis Antetokounmpo Wins Eastern Conference Player of the Month

The Milwaukee Bucks historically impressive March (14-4) is sure helping them bring home the hardware. After Jason Kidd was announced as the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month earlier today, Giannis Antetokounmpo followed suit with an award due even more celebration: Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

This is the first time that Giannis has received the award in his career (hopefully not the last), and he’s the first Milwaukee Bucks player since Michael Redd in 2004 to receive the honor. Giannis was also the first Milwaukee All-Star since Redd’s 2004 season, so slowly but surely he’s wiping away Redd’s far too long claim to fame in Milwaukee’s record books. Additionally, Giannis is just the fourth ever Buck to lay claim to the award, alongside Redd, Terry Cummings and Sidney Moncrief.

Giannis averaged 22.4 points (.514 FG%), 8.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals during the month of March. Surprisingly, those numbers are actually just a tad worse than his overall season statistics (23.2 points on 52.4% shooting, 8.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.9 blocks. However, Milwaukee’s 14-4 record throughout March is shining quite the glow on the team as the playoffs approach, and that assuredly helped Giannis in this regard.

Additionally, the breadth of those numbers further underscore just how consistent Giannis has been as a stat stuffer on both ends of the court. Giannis’ ascendance to the upper echelon of NBA stardom remains the most significant development of this season, and winning this final award is icing on his many-layered cake.

With end of the year ballots coming soon, we won’t have too long to wait out whether Giannis will have another trophy to add to his mantle.