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“I have a vote, and it’s going to Giannis”- Kendrick Perkins explains why Giannis Antetokounmpo should win the MVP
As the MVP conversation heats up, former NBA player turned analyst Kendrick Perkins declared who should win the most-coveted award this season.
For Perkins, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo should be the season's MVP.
"We are talking about a guy who is fifth in the league in scoring. Right now, he is averaging a career-high in points, his team has the best record in the league," said Perkins during an episode of ESPN's First Take.
Perkins was asked if he agreed with Giannis' teammate Jrue Holiday, who assessed that people have gotten used to seeing Antetokounmpo putting up big numbers, that's why they don't see him as the favorite to win the MVP award.
"When it comes down to Giannis, we are getting bored with him because it's the norm," said Perkins.
Giannis' efficiency
Perkins pointed out that the Greek Freak is just fifth in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game, but he is playing fewer minutes compared to other top scorers.
"He's third in rebounding, and guess what, these points that he is averaging per game..when you look at the top 10 scorers in the game… he's doing it in 32 minutes. That's less minutes than any other player that's in the top ten," Perkins said.
Perkins also admired Giannis for always being ready to suit up when healthy, citing the recent back-to-back games that the Bucks played against the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics.
"You can rely on him to play night in and night out. He is playing like he has something to prove," the former Boston Celtics center said.
The best player leading the best team
The Bucks own the best record in the league and are poised to have home-court advantage through the playoffs.
The Bucks' strong showing this season makes Giannis more deserving to win the award, Perkins emphasized
"The best player in the league, on the best team averaging a career-high in points, third in rebounding, Giannis is getting my vote for MVP," said Perkins.
The outspoken Perkins said Philadelphia's Joel Embiid and Denver's Nikola Jokic are also having great seasons, but Giannis is simply a cut above the rest.
"No disrespect to Jokic, no disrespect to Embiid, I love those centers, I love what they're doing for the game basketball, but when it comes down to the MVP right now, and we only have a week left in the season, I have a vote, and it's going to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The best player in the world, on the best team, and he's been without Khris Middleton for majority or even more than half of the season," Perkins said.
