Giannis Antetokounmpo Achieves Historic Feat With Defensive Player of the Year Award

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2019-20 season. While many campaigned for the Los Angeles Laker’s Anthony Davis to win, it is hard to argue with the decision.

The voting proved that it was quite the landslide win for Giannis. The DPOY is in line to make history by becoming the third man to win both DPOY and MVP trophies in the same season. The other two are Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.

However, Giannis has done something to separate himself from the likes of Jordan and Olajuwon. He is the only player in history to win not only the MVP and DPOY awards but also the Most Improved Player award.

Giannis won the MIP award two seasons before his MVP emergence in 2019. No other NBA player can claim to have won these three trophies, except Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Giannis Antetokounmpo building a legacy

Giannis is doing historic things. If he wins an MVP this season, he does something only two men have done before. With the DPOY, he has completed a unique statistical trifecta.

The main reason for this is that MVP level players usually don’t have the kind of jump that Giannis did. Giannis was not heralded as the superstar he is today before his MIP win. That set the precedent for his success.

There are two other individual trophies that Giannis would need to make it a clean sweep. However, Giannis will never be able to go and win Rookie of the Year. Giannis lost the 2014 ROTY to Michael Carter-Williams.

He could win a Sixth Man of the Year award, but that is not in his immediate future as he looks to be a dominant starter for a very long time.

Not many other high-quality players can claim a Most Improved Title. The only other superstar with one of these to his name is Paul George, but it doesn’t look like he will make a leap to MVP or even DPOY anytime soon.

Luka Doncic is one of the favorites for the award this season, so maybe he will issue a challenge to Giannis. Instead of a DPOY like Giannis, Luka can claim a ROTY for himself (2018-19).