#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
Is there any better player in the world right now than Giannis Antetokounmpo? After winning back-to-back league-MVPs in 2019 and 2020, Giannis added even more decorations to his trophy cabinet this past year, winning the 2021 NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP award and he also won the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award, as the Milwaukee Bucks won their first title in 50 years.
In the postseason, Antetokounmpo was an absolute menace that was unable to be stopped, as he averaged 30.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks and shot 56.9% from the floor over the course of the entire playoffs. In the NBA Finals, Giannis was even better, averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks and shot 61.8% from the floor, including a 50 point, 14 rebound performance in a championship clinching Game 6 victory.
There is just no way to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo when he gets going like he did against the Phoenix Suns, which is why he could very much win his third MVP award in four seasons during the 2021-22 season. The Bucks play exclusively through him and when they need a big play on either end of the floor, Giannis is the one to answer the call, which is why he should absolutely be a betting favorite to win the award again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has only been in the league for eight years, but if he were to retire today, he would be a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. His career accomplishments and accolades are extremely impressive for him only being 26-years-old and he has won every single award that he possibly could have other than winning the 2013 Rookie of the Year award, which Damian Lillard won.
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We should expect nothing less than greatness once again from Giannis over the course of the upcoming 2021-22 season and if we know anything about his character, it is that he is going to do everything he possibly can to defend the Bucks’ title, which could result in him having the best regular season he has ever had statistically. There has never been a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo before and a 30+ point, 10+ rebound season is definitely not out of the question for The Greek Freak!
