Giannis Antetokounmpo Deserves More Love In MVP Conversation

Giannis Antetokounmpo is dominating the league right now. He’s scored at least 30 points in six of his last eight, he’s having a career year passing the ball and is averaging 1.5 blocks per game (tied for second-best of his career). Yet, his MVP odds are still down at +700.

Antetokounmpo, although third in the odds standings, isn’t getting as much love as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Those two are having great seasons, but the Greek Freak is having just as good a season and deserves to be in the conversation. Above Antetokounmpo, WynnBET has Durant’s odds at +200 and Curry’s at +125. 

When it comes to winning an MVP it takes more than numbers. It often requires team success or a strong narrative. Antetokounmpo has both. Durant’s Nets are one game up on the Bucks in the Eastern Conference and Curry’s amazing start to the season has cooled off immensely. Antetokounmpo is providing the best of both worlds right now. 

The Bucks have been hit hard by COVID and haven’t been fully healthy for a significant stretch in a while, leaving Antetokounmpo to pick up the slack. Because of that, his numbers are reaching the heights of the rest of the best players in the league. 

Milwaukee is three games out of the No. 1 seed in the Eastern conference. If the Bucks can get to the top – or even the No. 2 seed and jump the Nets – Antetokounmpo will have all the team success ammo he needs to get his third MVP in four years. 

Last season, Antetokounmpo was just as good as he’d been his previous two seasons (MVP winning seasons), but failed to win. If he continues to play at this level and show why he is the best and most consistent player in the league, the MVP trophy might go back to Milwaukee.