NBA Playoff time is at hand! As of this post-date, the Association’s new-fangled “Play In Tournament” is getting underway, as near-the-bottom teams compete for a chance to get into the main Playoff action. Along with playoffs, it’s also time to start thinking and talking about post-season awards.
If you’ve a fan (and if you’re not, you’re probably not reading this), you know that one Giannis Antetokounmpo has had – yet again – a whopper of a season. The man they call the Greek Freak averaged a whopping 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists per game. To say those are MVP-level numbers would be an understatement. So the question is: Will he win it again?
Antetokounmpo is certainly in the MVP discussion again, but he’s not top of mind for most fans and analysts. Most of the talk has centered around two other big men, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Philly’s Joel Embiid. Does Giannis have anything to add to the conversation? Well, yes and no.
In a recent interview, Giannis had some interesting comments. He was both gracious to the other players in the running for the award, but also spoke of his own accomplishments. In an interview with Bleacher Report, he said, “I’m never going to be anyone who discredits anybody else’s work. That’s not who I am as a person. And I will never beg for an MVP Award that I believe I deserve.”
Our favorite former MVP has weighed in on the issue, and he’s definitely on Antetokounmpo’s side. On a recent Instagram post, Shaq went even farther in supporting the Bucks superstar, giving him a label O’Neal once reserved for his own use.
A quick check of various writers and analysts who will make the MVP selection shows more seem to be interested in Embiid or The Joker. Jokic – like Antetokounmpo – an already two-time winner. So it may be that Embiid – who’s yet to win MVP hardware – may be a sentimental favorite.
Of course there’s also unfinished business on the courts. Any one of the three main contenders could have an amazing postseason, or a dud. There’s controversy over including postseason stats and performances in MVP consideration, but for now, that’s the way it works.
As for Shaq, his pick is Antetokounmpo. Probably not too surprising, since O’Neal handed over his title of “Superman” to Giannis a few seasons back. Giving that moniker to another player obviously doesn’t come easy for Shaq… he’s closely guarded it for years, and refused to talk about it with other great players in the past.
Now however, it seems O’Neal recognized that Giannis is destined for greatness, and it’s not that surprising. The Bucks star is a surefire Hall of Famer, and an endorsement from one of the greats is just an added bonus. On to the playoffs!