Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo won his second straight MVP award, beating out LeBron James for the NBA’s most prestigious individual award.
Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo took home his second consecutive MVP award on Friday, becoming just the fourteenth player in NBA history to win the award multiple times. Just 25 years old, the Greek Freak is on a historical pace as far as individual achievements are concerned.
Antetokounmpo edged out LeBron James for the award, beating him in almost every statistical category outside of assists. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to break the news, with an official announcement expected in the afternoon.
While Milwaukee exited the playoffs early after a disappointing loss to the Miami Heat, it is impossible to deny that the four-time All-Star deserved the award. He averaged just under 30 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in just over 30 minutes per game.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer’s hesitation to give his superstar major minutes in the playoffs was ultimately the team’s Achilles heel, but Antetokounmpo’s efficiency in the regular season was impossible to ignore.
Giannis became the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon to win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season
Taking home both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award, Antetokounmpo now has the hardware to show for one of the greatest individual seasons in recent history.
Rumors have swirled regarding his upcoming free agency, and while he has a massive decision to make regarding a supermax extension, he has disputed claims that he could request a trade in the offseason.
After two consecutive MVP awards, Antetokounmpo has nothing more to prove from an individual standpoint, but the postseason made it clear that he needs help in order to bring home a title. With Chris Paul potentially available via trade, some have speculated that Milwaukee could look to bring the All-Star point guard in.
Antetokounmpo can celebrate his second MVP award for now, but the star would certainly prefer a championship over an individual accolade. While a third MVP could be in the cards next season, anything less than a title would be a major disappointment for the Bucks.