USA Today via Reuters
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts during the second half against the Orlando Magic in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
USA Today via Reuters
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts during the second half against the Orlando Magic in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the league MVP for the second consecutive year. But for him, it is nothing but yet another accolade added to his resume.
The Milwaukee Bucks are already out of the Playoffs, despite having the best record in the league. Moreover, the Bucks were eliminated in embarrassing fashion as they couldn’t beat the fifth-seeded Heat. Jimmy Butler and the Bucks defended the ‘Greek Freak’ well and forced him to play outside his comfort zone.
Giannis became only the third player to win both the MVP and the DPOY in the same year, joining the elite company of Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.
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All things considered, Giannis still had an insane regular season. He averaged 29.5 points coupled with 13.6 rebounds while playing just 30.5 minutes a game. When asked if Giannis believes he truly is the MVP of the league, he said:
“No, not yet, don’t call me MVP until I am a champion.”
“Don’t call me MVP until i’m a champion.”
– Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/TcjAAEb7ZL
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) September 18, 2020
As Giannis said, individual accolades hold less value if he does not win an NBA championship. Being an NBA champion is undoubtedly the highest honor any player can imagine while being in the NBA.
It seems like Giannis believes in this mentality and will come back even stronger next season. Also, he will enter the free agency after next season, so the Bucks might be on the clock to build an excellent team around the two-time MVP.
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What’s next for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
USA Today via Reuters
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after dunking against the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis has proved once again that he is on a whole different level during the regular season. But come playoff time, the Greek Freak is yet to experience any notable success. Giannis failed to make it to the NBA finals in both of his MVP years, and that could be a concern for the Bucks.
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As great as Giannis is, right now his game is one-dimensional. He attacks the rim and demolishes opponents, but he is yet to develop a consistent jumper. Heading into next season, if Giannis can eradicate this flaw from his game, nobody knows what he might become.
What do you think? Will Giannis win a championship next year? Or he’d have to wait for a longer time?
