17. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP response
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the darling of the 2018-19 regular season, with individual numbers rarely before seen and the league’s MVP trophy. The playoffs, however, were a different story, where the Greek Freak’s limited perimeter play kept the Milwaukee Bucks from advancing to the NBA Finals.
The justified critiques put a halt to Antetokounmpo’s speeding hype train, but the time will soon come for Giannis to craft a response addressed to those whose belief waned amid four straight playoff losses.
Malcolm Brogdon aside, Milwaukee retains most of the same core that won a league-best 60 games last year, providing the necessary tools to build on all the Bucks accomplished a season ago.
Antetokounmpo has increased his points and rebounds per game during each of his first six NBA seasons. He was never supposed to rank among the best in the league, and yet it was a level of dedication to the craft that helped him rise the ranks to superstardom rather quickly.
With such grand levels of success, expectations have been heightened, but it’s still laughable to remember Giannis is only 24 years of age. There is no ceiling for one of the most unique players in NBA history, as he is sure to restore lost faith with a seek-and-destroy mentality that could land him another MVP trophy.