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Giannis Antetokounmpo is baffled about the ever-changing MVP criteria

Giannis shares his take on this season's MVP race.
Matthew Dugandzic|
Giannis Antetokounmpo is baffled about the ever-changing MVP criteria
Giannis Antetokounmpo is baffled about the ever-changing MVP criteria

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Milwaukee Bucks

With the NBA’s regular season nearing its end, conversations regarding who this season’s Most Valuable Player are set to intensify further. Whether it’s at the local barber shop or at the water cooler, everyone has a take on who deserves to be the winner this season. As for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time winner of the much-coveted award, he finds himself wondering what the criteria for winning the award are.

What should the MVP be?

The Greek Freak has won the award twice—in 2019 and 2020—so he basically has an idea of what qualities an MVP winner has to have. However, with so many variables being taken into consideration, Giannis is at his wit’s end, trying to figure out what exactly the criteria for winning the award should be.

“Like, I believe — and I know — that people are dominating. So what is the MVP? Is it the guy who scores the most points? Is it the guy who’s the most efficient? Is it the guy who is the most dominant? Is it the guy who is the most valuable?” asked Giannis in an interview with The Athletic.

If value to a team is a significant part of the search, Giannis implied that the list can grow substantially longer.

“Sometimes, the best player isn’t the most valuable player on the team. Like, I feel like Brook (Lopez) is such a valuable player for our team. Like (the MVP criteria) just f——- — sorry for my language — it just changes.”

Out of his hands

As competitive as Giannis is, he acknowledges that he still wants to win yet another MVP trophy. However, he’s aware that these things are out of his hands, and he’s not going to lose any sleep fretting over his candidacy for the Michael Jordan trophy.

“As I said again, I can’t control that. I can control only how I prepare for the game and try to be ready for the game,” said Giannis.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.