winning in 14, Carfrae pulled out during last years race

NEW YORK -- Giannis Antetokounmpo had just missed a triple-double by two rebounds and two assists for the third time this season when he was asked a question that temporarily tripped him up.What is the most difficult part of getting a triple-double?Hardest part? Uhhhhh, I dont know, Antetokounmpo said, shrugging his shoulders as if he was a 7-year-old asked to explain why he doesnt like a certain brand of cereal.Excuse Antetokounmpo if he makes it sound and look easy. The humble 22-year-old Bucks star carries himself with the curiosity of an innocent kid. Youll often see him looking around his surroundings and asking questions or thinking about how to answer a question like an inquisitive third-grader. Hes soaking everything Jason Kidd and his coaching staff teaches him and that sponge continues to only expand.In his fourth season, Antetokounmpo has taken another gigantic Giannis-like stride forward -- you know, like how he only needs a ridiculous two to three steps to go from halfcourt logo to the rim.The Greek Freak is averaging 22.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals. All are career-highs. During each of his four seasons, Antetokounmpo has improved his averages in just about every one of his statistical categories except for free-throw and 3-point shooting from the season before.While Russell Westbrook has taken the league by storm with his historic triple-double act, Antetokounmpo is quietly putting together the type of season only some legends have had.Since 1973-74, only Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (last to do it consecutively from 1993-95) have averaged at least 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in a season, according to ESPN Stats and Info. And only one other person has ever averaged at least 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in a season -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.Heres the truly frightening thing -- Antetokounmpo can actually get even better. This year, the Bucks human Swiss Army Knife was drafted an average of 12th in ESPN fantasy leagues. He certainly will be a top-10 draft pick, if not even a top-six pick next year. After Westbrook, James Harden, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, you can make an argument for drafting Antetokounmpo in the same breath with the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and DeMarcus Cousins.Consider this: as good as Antetokounmpo is now, think about when his mind, instincts and experience finally catches up to those Go-Go Gadget arms and things actually start to slow down even more for him? Remember, he is still learning how to play point guard/point forward/point center under Kidd. Hes only been in this role since February and hasnt even played point for an entire season.What happens when he actually can shoot with the confidence of an All-Star or even add a back-to-the-basket go-to-move? And how scary will it be when he learns how to win consistently and he craves winning the way his coach did as a player?Hes a lot like Magic Johnson used to be as far as putting the ball on the floor, his size, his length, his athleticism, Toronto coach Dwane Casey recently said according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Hes a lot like Magic in that he came into the league not being able to shoot the ball.NBA general managers already rate Antetokounmpo as the NBAs best international player and second only to LeBron James in versatility, according to NBA.coms annual survey. If he is able to keep this up for an entire season, he would be the only player to average 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals in a season.Hes doing all this despite still very much learning the angles and different spots on the floor all while playing five different positions on certain nights.On one recent night against the San Antonio Spurs, Antetokounmpo started the game guarding Pau Gasol before later moving onto Leonard. He fought foul trouble with five fouls but still managed 22 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes in a 97-96 loss to the Spurs.In another game against Toronto, Antetokounmpo guarded big men like 7-foot Lucas Nogueira and 6-foot-9 Patrick Patterson to wing men like the 6-foot-7 Terrence Ross and even 6-foot-7 DeMar DeRozan at times.While it may not seem like it with the stat-sheet stuffing numbers he puts up, Antetokounmpo is still very much learning how to be the kind of playmaking point guard that Kidd wants. And that is with him already getting better from last season.Hes made improvements in all areas, said one Bucks assistant coach. When you talk about how much better he has gotten, he really has put in a lot of time. His ballhandling, decision-making is better, hes a better screener than he was before. His weak-side defense, he has got to be one of the better guys in the league.If you look at his length... he is putting his arms out and one time he was damn near virtually touching the ballhandler and his own guy in the corner. There are definitely things he can continue to improve upon... He is a foreigner so language-wise, he is speaking more confidently with basketball communication being very important. And physically, he has improved on his body and strength.Shooting, of course, is the next logical step forward for Antetokounmpo. The Greek star is shooting a career-high 52.4 percent but just 23.6 percent from behind the arc. As Jabari Parker continues to improve, Antetokounmpo should continue to see plenty of scoring opportunities in theory.Right now, Im working every day and my main focus is to shoot without hesitating, Antetokounmpo said after making 2-of-5 3-pointers and having 23 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks against the Nets at the start of the month. That is my main focus right now, if it goes in or goes out, just shoot without hesitation... just let it fly.Antetokounmpo notes how difficult it can be for a 7-footer with long arms to catch and shoot. The Bucks wing man points to near his waist and explains how catching the ball there and bringing it up above his chest smoothly can be arduous.Concentrate on my follow through and keep the ball high because tall people, it is hard for us to shoot, Antetokounmpo explains. Because from here (points to near waist) when you get the ball to here (points above chest), it is a long way. I am just trying that when I get the ball here to just go up with it. Confidence is a big part of shooting.Two things the Bucks are seeing opposing teams do against Antetokounmpo is either back way off him or get physical with him. Antetokounmpo is recognizing how to deal with this and with time, he could start hurting teams in the post. He is working on a mid-range and post game and his length really could be deadly down in the paint with a go-to post move.The jump shot part, Id say he is getting more confident, the Bucks assistant said. Mechanically, he has made improvements and he is still making improvements. DeRozan is a good example of how he can improve -- couldnt shoot great, slasher and now that guy makes every two-point jump shot he damn near takes. Once you figure it out, it kind of clicks.Antetokounmpo said after a win in Brooklyn this month that Dirk Nowitzkis shooting coach, Holger Geschwindner, has offered to work with the Greek Freak in the offseason in Germany. He said he hopes he can make the trip from Greece to Germany if schedules permit.Antetokounmpo is shooting just 18.2 percent on attempts that are 10-to-16 feet from the basket, according to Pro Basketball Reference. Visions of Antetokounmpo adding the Dirk one-legged turnaround fadeaway jumper to his raw but growing arsenal is a nightmare for opponents already terrorized by the Greek Freak.Its a smart thing on his part, Casey told the Journal Sentinel of Kidd moving Antetokounmpo to point. If I had a young kid like that and I knew that was his position, why not do it now? Youre going to have to live with some of the bad -- I know hes had 13 turnovers in a couple games (recently).But I promise you the payoff is going to be much better than it is now. Its sort of like what we did with DeRozan here earlier. You go through growing pains. The dividends will pay off down the road. Custom New York Mets Jerseys .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Mookie Wilson Mets Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. http://www.metsbaseballauthentic.com/gregor-blanco-mets-jersey/ . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Tom Seaver Jersey . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Jeurys Familia Mets Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. HOUSTON -- James Hardens latest game left him tied in Houstons record books with perhaps the greatest Rocket of all.Harden had a triple-double -- 15 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds -- in just three quarters to lead the Rockets to their eighth straight win, 132-98 over the short-handed Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.It was Hardens fifth triple-double this season and the 14th of his career, which ties him with Hakeem Olajuwon for most in franchise history. Harden acknowledged how special it is to be mentioned in the same breath as The Dream.Yes, obviously all-time Rockets great, best to ever do it (in) a Rocket uniform and one of the best to ever do it period, Harden said. So just honored. Its a credit to my teammates who helped me and coaches and just trying to win. Thats all.Houstons winning streak is the longest current one in the NBA and the teams longest since 2014.The biggest thing Im happy with is we had 40 assists on 50 buckets, so theyre sharing the ball, coach Mike DAntoni said. James does what he does every night and just a lot of good stuff going on.Hardens triple-double came in 29 minutes and 52 seconds of play, which is his second when playing less than 30 minutes.Houston led by 15 points in the third quarter before using a 10-4 run to push it to 76-53 with about 7 minutes left in the quarter. The Rockets began to pour it on after that, outscoring the Kings 18-5 over the next 3 1/2 minutes to make it 94-58. Trevor Ariza scored the first five points in that span and capped it with a 3-pointer.Harden grabbed his 10th rebound soon after that and got one more late in the third before heading to the bench at the end of the quarter to end his night.The Kings played without three starters with Rudy Gay (hip flexor strain) and Ben McLemore (left quadriceps contusion) out with injuries and DeMarcus Cousins getting a planned day of rest. They were led by Garrett Temples 20 points.There are times when teams are going to have to rest people and that gives other guys an opportunity to step up, Sacramentos Matt Barnes said. We have to weather the storm until Ben and Rudy get back and I think DeMarcus is playing in the next game.dddddddddddd We have to pick up the pieces and continue to play hard and improve.Ryan Anderson had 22 points and Sam Dekker had a career-high 19 for Houston.Harden has thrived running DAntonis fast-paced offense and has piled up 53 assists in the last four games.TIP-INSKings: Have lost six straight in Houston. ... Anthony Tolliver had 12 points and 10 rebounds. ... Trailed by as many as 39. ... Willie Cauley-Stein had 11 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.Rockets: Eric Gordon had a season-high eight assists. ... Every Houston starter scored at least 10 points. Its the sixth time thats happened this season. ... Ariza finished with five 3s and has had at least four 3s in 11 games this season. ... The Rockets had 64 points at halftime and have scored at least 60 points in the first half in seven of their last 11 games.COME ON GUYSThe Rockets finished with 22 3-pointers to give them at least 15 3s in three straight games, which ties a franchise record. They came just short of tying the NBA record for 3s in a game of 23. With her son on the bench for the entire fourth quarter Hardens mother Monja Willis was imploring Dekker to help the Rockets break the record.James mom kept yelling at me, Dekker said. She was laughing and she kept saying: `You need two more for the record. Two more for the record. But I didnt pay too much mind to it. We got out of there with a win and with the way we shoot the ball I think well get pretty close again.NO RESTWith Cousins sitting out to rest Wednesday night, Harden, who has played in 152 consecutive games, was asked why he never wants to take a night off to give his body a break.I know Im not going to be playing basketball for the rest of my life, he said. I cherish moments like these and I love to play basketball. ... I love being on the court.UP NEXTKings: Visit Memphis on Friday.Rockets: Host New Orleans on Friday. ' ' '