NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of titans at the top

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbling the ball drives towards the basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 12, 2022 in San Francisco, California, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Rank last week: 2

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 29.7/11.5/5.9/1.1/1.4

FG%/3P%/FT%: 54.8/30.3/72.1

Off EPM / Def EPM: +6.3/+1.0

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s relentlessness has finally rewarded him with the top spot in the NBA MVP Ladder. He never stops coming. Despite being a two-time MVP already, this is possibly his finest season ever – and he’s playing his best basketball when it matters most.

The Miwlaukee Bucks have had an uneven season but are peaking at the right time (7-1 in their last eight games). They currently sit at second in the Eastern Conference. During that stretch, Giannis is averaging a cool 31-13-5 on 57% shooting with three combined steals and blocks.

Antetokounmpo is notching the highest scoring average of his career and is tied for his highest assist average, which is astonishing considering how much playmaking he’s ceded to Jrue Holiday this season. He’s averaging fewer turnovers than he has since 2017-2018, and he’s playing his usual Defensive Player of the Year defense (seriously, Jimmy Butler prays that he won’t have to see Antetokounmpo in the playoffs again).

There aren’t any holes in Antetokounmpo’s game. He’s even shooting 72 percent from the free-throw line, and last season’s playoff struggles at the stripe are in the rearview mirror.

The advanced stats have favored Jokic all season long, but the Greek Freak has matched or surpassed Jokic in several of them. There’s still no scarier sight in basketball than Giannis in transition.

Most of the public is sleeping on Giannis this season. That’s what happens when the bar is set so high. Voter fatigue and people’s reluctance to move from their previously-held positions may make winning this award impossible for Antetokounmpo. Still, true to form, he’s not going to go down without a fight.

dark. Next. NBA Power Rankings Week 21