After winning his first Most Valuable Player award in 2018/19, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has arguably been even better so far this season.
Despite playing just 30.9 minutes per game, his lowest mark since he was a rookie in 2013/14, Antetokounmpo is establishing new career highs in PPG (29.8) and RPG (12.8) to go along with 5.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.1 BPG.
Giannis has also managed to convert 55.0% of his field goal attempts even though he’s launching 5.1 threes per game, nearly double his previous career high. He’s hitting 32.5% of those outside attempts, which isn’t an above-average rate, but is an encouraging step forward for a player who had made 27.7% of his career three-point attempts entering the season.
Oh, and his Bucks posted a 35-6 record in the first half, putting them on pace for a 70-win season.
It all adds up to make Antetokounmpo the MVP frontrunner halfway through the 2019/20 campaign. NBA.com’s Sekou Smith has Giannis atop his MVP ladder, while Basketball-Reference’s model also views him as the favorite.
Still, we’ve still got 40+ games to play this season, and it’s not as if Antetokounmpo has left his competition in the dust.
James Harden is having another historic scoring season, with 37.7 PPG through 37 games. If the Rockets guard maintains that pace, it would be the fourth-highest scoring average in NBA history and the best single-season mark by anyone not named Wilt Chamberlain.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis each have strong MVP cases for the 33-7 Lakers. James’ impressive on/off-court splits, as well as his 25.5 PPG and league-leading 10.7 APG, might make him the better pick of the two.
Second-year Mavericks star Luka Doncic is also in the conversation, with a near-triple-double average through 35 games (29.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 9.0 APG) as his team exceeds preseason expectations and looks to secure a playoff spot.
While Antetokounmpo is putting up insane per-36 stats, it’s possible some voters will dock him for playing fewer minutes than other MVP candidates. He has appeared in 38 games to Harden’s 37 this season, but has logged 200 fewer minutes than the Rockets’ star. If that gap continues to widen by season’s end, with Giannis potentially getting some rest after Milwaukee secure the No. 1 seed, it could be a factor worth considering in the MVP race.
Still, for now, Giannis looks like the odds-on favorite to be named the NBA’s 2019/20 MVP. What do you think? Will he finish strong and win the award for a second consecutive year?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!
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He has to repeat since everyone hates Harden so much.
Scoring a lot of points doesn’t automatically make you MVP
Logic isn’t something harden-westbrook-mvps understands.
Usually to be an MVP you team has to also be one of the top teams in regular season. Rockets currently sit fourth and I wouldn’t be surpised if the Clippers pass them and possibly the Mavs.
If the rockets finish 4th or 5th no way Harden gets it.
I think it’s Giannis or LBJ
I think Houston ends up the 2 seed and Harden finished second. That guy should have 4 MVP’s. He is probably the best offensive player ever to play.
No, one MVP is right for Harden he deserved it the year he got it. Giannis played defense on all 5 positions last year where Harden usually gets hidden on the weakest player. The prior year when Westbrook got it you could maybe argue Harden. Honestly though I think Kawhi deserved it over both Westbrook and Harden though. Curry deserved it both years he won.
Oh stop. Harden has been fooling refs for years. You want to make the argument he’s the best at drawing fouls I’ll give it to you but best offensive player to ever play? You’re dreaming
Can’t be mad at a dud e for putting his team up 30 and taking a break. He’s a better player than last year and started adding the 3 as a weapon. Be real. Harden is a one way player and hangs in stats because of the extra minutes. I’ve seen the dude make amazing shots in clutch moments but that’s one side. Giannis is amazing on all sides. Not to mention the dude is incredibly likable. I hope he keeps Milwaukee relevant.