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NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks

By Jack Simone

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after the game at American Airlines Center on February 04, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after the game at American Airlines Center on February 04, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks makes a hand gesture as he walks down court during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Fiserv Forum on February 28, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Rank last week: 3

Stats: 29.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 54.5% FG, 30.1% 3PT

Ironically enough, Giannis Antetokounmpo has played out of his mind for the past month. Unfortunately, that didn’t really translate into consistent wins for the Milwaukee Bucks.

In the month of February, the Bucks went 6-4, which isn’t bad, but also not great for a team hoping to defend their title as NBA champions. And while Antetokounmpo was great, team success is half the battle.

Antetokounmpo is easily one of the best players in the league, and his statline will tell anybody that. And to be honest, him slipping in these rankings is less a product of him playing poorly, and more a product of other players around the league being even better.

As far as his supporting cast goes, Khris Middleton went through a shooting slump in the month of February. He shot just 27.0 percent from behind the three-point line.

But at the same time, Jrue Holiday was great and Bobby Portis was surprisingly awesome, too. Both of them averaged 19.5 points in February.

All that being said, the Bucks still sit at fourth in the Eastern Conference and, despite their recent blowout over the Charlotte Hornets, have lost five of their last six games.