Giannis is your 2019 NBA MVP and more from the NBA Award Show

At the NBA’s 2019 Award Show it was announced that had Giannis Antetokounmpo won his first MVP. Who else took home some hardware?

For the second year, the NBA waited months after the conclusion of the regular season to announced who had won their six major awards. The Award Show concept will continue for the foreseeable future but the extended delay will never not be weird.

Still, the show delivered on some emotional moments last night, including Giannis Antetokounmpo taking home his first MVP Award.

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Giannis averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game this season (all career-highs), leading the Bucks to the best record in the NBA. Their postseason didn’t go the way they were hoping — losing in six games to the eventual champion Raptors — but it was still a remarkable season for the franchise, highlighted by the incredible rise of Giannis. In addition to MVP, the Bucks took home other awards with Mike Budenholzer recognized as Coach of the Year. Coach Bud helped Milwaukee improve their record by 16 wins this season with offensive and defensive efficiencies that both ranked in the top five in the league. Finally, Bucks GM Jon Horst was recognized as Executive of the Year.

Rudy Gobert used his intimidating interior presence to take home a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award. He blocked 5.8 percent of opponent shot attempts while he was on the floor, adding 1.2 steals per 100 possessions and posting a career-high defensive rebound percentage this season.

Lou Williams edged out his teammate Montrezl Harrell to win Sixth Man of the Year, the third time he’s earned that honor. Williams averaged 20.0 points and 5.4 assists per game off the bench, and was a major part of the Clippers keeping themselves in the playoff race even after moving Tobias Harris in a mid-season trade.

Pascal Siakam won the Most Improved Player Award. The Raptors’ forward checked several boxes, as both a player who received more opportunities and increased his box score stats but also someone who showed actual meaningful skill development. Last season, Siakam focused primarily as an energy big. This year he spent plenty of time on the wing and operated as a secondary creator in Toronto’s offense, averaging 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Finally, Luka Doncic won Rookie of the Year after becoming just the fifth rookie in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Doncic has been playing professionally in Europe for several years and his talent and experience clearly gave him a leg up on fellow rookies Trae Young and Deandre Ayton.