NBA: Ranking the top 9 MVP candidates at the All-Star break
By Kyle Crabbe
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
2018-19 Season Stats: 52 Games Played, 27.1 ppg, 12.6 Reb pg, 5.9 Ast pg, 1.4 Stl pg, 1.4 Blk pg, .582 Fg %, .227 3-pt %, .713 FT %
2018-19 Win Shares:
Offensive Win Shares: 6.0 (Ranked 7th)
Defensive Win Shares: 4.2 (Ranked 1st)
Total Win Shares: 10.2 (Ranked 2nd)
Giannis Antetokounmpo in his sixth NBA season has become one of the five best overall players in the entire NBA. This season, matched with a new head coach, has blossomed Antetokounmpo into one of the premier players in the entire basketball world. After taking up the challenge to go for an MVP from former NBA legend Kobe “ Black Mamba” Bryant, Antetokoumpo has put together a special 2018-19 NBA campaign.
Antetokounmpo affectionately known as the “ Greek Freak “ due to his Greek heritage and freak unique physical profile has morphed into more of the “ Greek Beast” given his basketball maturation which has developed him to a NBA frontline superstar this season. Giannis has established himself as an unstoppable offensive force and a defensive stalwart.
So far in the 2018-19 season, only Paul George and Kawhi Leonard can compare as dominate two-way players in the NBA. Giannis has had a supreme defensive season as reflected in Antetokounmpo being 1st in defensive win shares, 1st in defensive rating, Top 10 in rebounding as well as averaging over a block and a steal per game.
Giannis offensive game has also been special. Besides the numerous highlight dunk and possible posters, Antetokounmpo has posted excellent offensive numbers also. Antetokounmpo is Top 10 is points per game, Top 10 is Field Goal Percentage, Top 10 in offensive win shares in addition to being Top 5 in player efficiency
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When you put together that kind of season and you lead your team to it’s best record in decades that usually leads to a Most Valuable Player Award. With Giannis Leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the top seed in the East and possible the best record in the entire NBA, Antetokounmpo might take home his first MVP award if the season ended today.