Giannis Antetokounmpo Now Just 82 Steals Away From Becoming Bucks’ All-Time Leader In Five Major Statistical Categories

When Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, few could have imagined the skinny teenager from Greece would become one of the most dominant and decorated players in the history of the NBA—let alone the Milwaukee Bucks. Yet, more than a decade later, Giannis is not only the face of the franchise but is now on the brink of something truly historic: becoming the all-time franchise leader in five major statistical categories.

Antetokounmpo already holds franchise records in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Now, with just 82 more steals, he will complete the quintet, placing himself alone atop the Bucks’ all-time lists in scoring, rebounding, passing, shot-blocking, and stealing. That rare level of all-around excellence underscores his sustained dominance, durability, and dedication to the only NBA franchise he’s ever played for.

Let’s put this into perspective: no other player in Bucks history has come close to that kind of statistical mastery. While legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sidney Moncrief, Michael Redd, and Marques Johnson left their mark, none of them ever led the team in more than two or three major statistical categories. Giannis is on the verge of five—and all while still being in the prime of his career.

The steals record currently belongs to Quinn Buckner, who notched 1,042 steals during his seven seasons in Milwaukee. Giannis, as of the end of the 2024–25 season, stands at 961 steals, leaving him just 82 away from breaking that mark. Assuming a relatively healthy campaign next season, it’s highly likely he’ll surpass Buckner midway through the 2025–26 season.

That would cement him not just as the greatest Buck of all time—which many already believe he is—but also as arguably the most statistically complete superstar in today’s NBA.

What makes Giannis’ statistical portfolio even more staggering is how rapidly and consistently he climbed each of those leaderboards. He became the Bucks’ all-time leading scorer in March 2022, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record of 14,211 points. Since then, he’s continued to widen that gap by averaging around 29 points per game over the past three seasons.

In rebounds, he overtook Abdul-Jabbar’s total of 7,161 in 2023. For assists, he passed Paul Pressey (3,272) during the 2023–24 campaign. He became Milwaukee’s block king too, topping Alton Lister’s mark of 805 blocks. With each milestone, he didn’t just claim a record—he obliterated expectations.

The possibility of Giannis holding five major all-time franchise records speaks volumes about his versatility. Unlike many stars who dominate just one or two facets of the game, Giannis has consistently improved his all-around performance. He started his career known primarily for his length and defensive upside. Over time, he evolved into one of the league’s most dominant interior scorers, while also adding playmaking and perimeter defense to his résumé.

Even more impressive is how he’s done it without becoming a primary ball handler in the way some point-forwards like LeBron James or Luka Dončić have. Giannis’ ability to produce elite assist numbers—despite being a big man and sharing ball-handling duties—underscores his exceptional court vision and basketball IQ.

As for his steals numbers, it’s one of the most underrated parts of his game. Giannis has averaged around 1.2 steals per game for his career—not an eye-popping number on the surface—but it’s the consistency and longevity that have allowed him to quietly move up the ladder. Combine that with his ability to defend multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes, and close out with his massive wingspan, and you have a defensive force who affects the game far beyond blocks alone.

Former Bucks teammate Jrue Holiday once said of Giannis, “He’s everywhere. You think you’ve got a lane or a play set up, and then Giannis’ arm is in your face or he’s already behind you stripping the ball. That’s what makes him special—it’s not just the dunks and blocks. It’s the little things, too.”

Those “little things” add up over time. And in Giannis’ case, they’re about to add up to a fifth all-time franchise lead. But beyond the numbers, what does this mean for his legacy?

Simply put: it makes it nearly impossible to argue against his status as the greatest Milwaukee Buck of all time. Some may still try to make a case for Abdul-Jabbar, who won a title with the Bucks in 1971 and won three MVPs with the team before moving to Los Angeles. But Giannis, with two MVPs of his own, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and that iconic 50-point Game 6 to win the 2021 NBA title, has built a resume that stacks up—and in the eyes of many, surpasses—his legendary predecessor.

Where Giannis truly separates himself is in longevity and loyalty. While Kareem played only six seasons in Milwaukee, Giannis is entering his 13th. He signed a supermax extension in 2020 and another three-year deal in 2023, showing a continued commitment to the city and franchise that took a chance on him as a raw teenager.

His relationship with the city of Milwaukee has become more than just professional—it’s personal. He often refers to the city as “home” and has said multiple times that Milwaukee believed in him before anyone else did. That loyalty is rare in the modern NBA, where star players frequently switch teams in pursuit of championships or brand opportunities.

Of course, the long-term future is still somewhat uncertain. As reports circulate that several teams are closely monitoring his situation with the Bucks, the front office faces pressure to keep the roster competitive and title-ready. But for now, Giannis remains fully locked in, and his pursuit of the final franchise record seems like yet another reminder of his historic greatness.

Should he stay healthy and maintain his usual level of defensive activity, it’s safe to assume that by the end of next season, the Milwaukee Bucks will officially have a player who leads them in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. That has never been done in NBA history by a single player for one franchise. It would be an unprecedented feat.

There are some parallels in other organizations—LeBron James leads the Cavaliers in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, but not blocks. Tim Duncan was a rebounding, blocking, and scoring machine for San Antonio, but not the assists or steals leader. Even Michael Jordan doesn’t hold five top spots with the Chicago Bulls. Giannis could be the first.

It also adds further fuel to the conversation about where Giannis ranks among the all-time greats. His accolades already place him among the game’s elite. But total franchise dominance in five statistical areas? That’s the type of thing that not only builds a statue—it builds a legacy that will last forever.

For Bucks fans, watching this evolution has been nothing short of magical. They’ve seen Giannis grow from a skinny kid with raw talent into a global icon who stayed, delivered a championship, and now may be the most complete player in the history of their franchise—and maybe in NBA history, too.

It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about what those numbers represent: work ethic, loyalty, progression, dominance, and love for the game and the city.

So the next time Giannis Antetokounmpo strips the ball away from an opposing guard, remember that it’s more than just a defensive play. It’s a milestone in the making. Eighty-two steals away. The final chapter of a stat sheet takeover. The final piece of a record book rewritten.

And when it happens, we won’t just be watching history—we’ll be watching a legend complete his masterpiece.