Giannis Antetokounmpo: A Surprising Twist in His Journey

Every Monday, the NBA rolls out the red carpet for its Players of the Week, and this time, we’ve got a familiar face in Giannis Antetokounmpo and a surprise with Harrison Barnes making the cut!

Giannis Dominates the East

In a week where the Milwaukee Bucks showcased their championship potential with a perfect 4-0 record, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the Greek Freak would snag the Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors. With jaw-dropping averages of 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, Giannis put on a show that left defenders dizzy. As the axis upon which the Bucks turn, he’s a force that’s hard to ignore!

The Unexpected Star: Harrison Barnes

Now, switching gears to the wild, wild West—Harrison Barnes stepped up big time. The San Antonio Spurs didn’t skip a beat last week, going undefeated at 3-0 even with rising star Victor Wembanyama sidelined for two games. Barnes, embodying the seasoned veteran he is, averaged over 22 points and nearly 9 rebounds while shooting an eye-popping 62% from the field, including a stellar 60% from beyond the arc! His brilliance helped the Spurs secure victories over heavyweights like Oklahoma City and Golden State. Fun fact: This marks the very first time Barnes has been named Player of the Week in his career!

The Runners-Up

They also received some love:

• West: Anthony Davis and LeBron James (LAL), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), James Harden and Ivica Zubac (LAC), Kyrie Irving (DAL), and Andrew Wiggins (GSW)
• East: LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller (CHA), Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum (BOS), Jimmy Butler (MIA), Ty Jerome (CLE), Jakob Poeltl (TOR), and Franz Wagner (ORL)

Source: NBA