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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the reigning two-time MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. However, those accolades don’t look as shiny considering what happened in the Playoffs last year. The Bucks capitulated in 5 games to a far superior Miami Heat team despite being the best team in the NBA record-wise.
Ever since that loss, the chatter around Giannis being the one to replace LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the best player in the league has quieted down. But with Giannis having an excellent season again, BJ Armstrong has picked Giannis over LeBron and KD.
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“KD is KD. He speaks for himself. He doesn’t need me or anyone to justify what he has done. LeBron James is LeBron James. But it takes effort and energy to do that, go out there and play. You have to play, you have to be healthy. Right now, Giannis has been available. Giannis has been impactful on both sides, and Giannis is the best player right now. But, his body of work doesn’t match the other two guys. If you’re asking me today, it’s Giannis without question.”.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo: Are people underrating him?
Outside this, Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t been talked about as much this year. While it could be because everyone got bored with him dominating the regular season and failing in the Playoffs, it is also because of the other narratives around the league.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 18, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) fight for a jump ball during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have better storylines and have been pushed atop the path as the best in the NBA. It hasn’t helped that the Bucks have been a step-less dominant than they had been in past seasons. But for years everyone has been underselling their regular-season success, anyway.
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Giannis won the last two MVPs, with last year’s being directly over LeBron. While the playoffs changed the narratives around the trophy now, we have seen Giannis be better than LeBron and KD before. Maybe this time, he can prove it later in the season when it matters more. It is becoming championship or bust for Giannis’s legacy as a player.
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