Giannis Antetokounmpo Believes He’s Still The Favorite To Win MVP This Season

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After running away with the Most Improved Player award last season, basketball fans everywhere were expecting big things from Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Chief among them was retired Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who when doling out his Mamba challenges last summer tasked the Greek Freak with seizing the Most Valuable Player award this season.

And from the outset of the 2017-2018 campaign, it appeared he might do precisely that. But as Milwaukee’s play has flagged throughout the season, so to has Giannis’ claim to the MVP crown.

Of course, that’s not to say he hasn’t been spectacular. Giannis is emphatically among the most dominant forces in the NBA on a near nightly basis, right up there with other MVP frontrunners like James Harden and LeBron James. And if you ask him, he’s still very much in the discussion for that award.

Via Will Gottlieb of Bleacher Report:

“I still am,” Antetokounmpo told Bleacher Report when asked if he is still the MVP favorite. To be sure, that’s his opinion, yet he acknowledges the public narrative. “I’m one of the best players in the league. We’re going to the playoffs. I’m still in the discussion. I might not be the favorite anymore, but I’m still in the discussion. That’s how I feel.”

Bucks forward Jabari Parker added: “He’s the MVP in all our books. He’s a great teammate, and we love what he does for us.”

The Bucks have not been immune to turmoil this season, as head coach Jason Kidd was fired amid a tough stretch of underwhelming performances. Although they’ve all but assured themselves a return to the postseason, they currently sit in the No. 8 spot in the East, which would mean a rematch against the Toronto Raptors, who have been phenomenal this season.

Milwaukee is just a game behind the No. 6 seed, but any improvement in the standings wouldn’t necessarily result in a more favorable first-round matchup as the Celtics and Cavs hold the No. 2 and 3 seeds, respectively. In short, there’s a good possibility that they’re headed for any early postseason exit for the second consecutive year.

Giannis will absolutely have to play at an MVP-level if he and the Bucks want any chance of avoiding that outcome.

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