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Why Giannis Antetokounmpo should be the 2021-22 MVP front-runner

By Duncan Smith

Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game Six of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Justin Casterline/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game Six of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Justin Casterline/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
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Giannis, NBA
Giannis, NBA Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

In the NBA, voter fatigue is a real thing and Giannis Antetokounmpo experienced it this past season.

In spite of putting up spectacular numbers that have been scarcely matched throughout league history, he was never really considered a viable candidate for the MVP award. Even without LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Luka Doncic and other expected candidates in the mix, Antetokounmpo was on the outside looking in for the duration of the season.

From the myopic perspective of MVP voters, it’s not hard to see why.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time NBA MVP who was never a legitimate candidate last season. Here’s why he should be the front-runner next season.

Antetokounmpo had won the previous two MVP awards by massive margins, leaving no doubt that he was the deserving recipient. But his Milwaukee Bucks fell short of their championship goals in the postseason both years, and MVP voters opted to hold it against him in 2020-21.

28.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.4 stocks (combined steals and blocks), 63.6 percent 2-point shooting and 60.0 percent effective field goal shooting didn’t sway those decision-makers, and Nikola Jokic swept his way towards a decisive MVP win. Jokic was a deserving winner, himself, but Giannis had one of the best seasons ever to not be considered a real candidate at any point.

Everything changed in the playoffs, though. The Bucks showed incredible heart and grit and battled their way to the NBA Finals, and from that point forth Giannis Antetokounmpo put up one of the most spectacular performances in Finals history.

Regard these numbers from Games 2 through 6, if you will:

  • 38.2 points
  • 12.4 rebounds
  • 5.0 assists
  • 3.0 stocks
  • 68.7 percent 2-point shooting

In Game 6, Giannis had just the second 50-point closeout performance in NBA Finals history, putting up 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a decisive seven-point victory to send the Phoenix Suns home. He also went a stunning 17-of-19 from the free-throw line in that decisive game.

The MVP award is a regular-season honor, but voters have memories. Let’s take a look at a couple of reasons why Giannis should be the front-runner for next year’s MVP award.