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Giannis Antetokounmpo has won every major individual award in the NBA. However, the Greek Freak will have a chance to continue adding to his resume during the 2021-22 season.
The NBA rewards brilliance, which is why the MVP award is given out to the most impactful player throughout the entire season. Giannis Antetokounmpo has unlocked a new level in his development as he led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship in 50 years against all odds.
To be in the conversation for all-time greats, Giannis Antetokounmpo has to win a lot more awards, starting with the MVP award. Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar asserted their dominance in the NBA and won several MVP titles. To be ranked among such elite company, Antetokounmpo will have to win a couple more awards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo lost his MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards last season to Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert, respectively. The 6'11" forward won both awards in the 2019-20 season but failed to hold on to either.
Although he lost both titles, it is no indication that he has lost his way. His impressive 2020-21 NBA season saw him finish 4th in the MVP voting. Antetokounmpo went a step further and hoisted the famed Larry O'Brien trophy as well as the Bill Russell Finals MVP award.
The 2021-22 MVP is up for the taking, as every player has a clean slate. Here are five reasons why Giannis Antetokounmpo can be an MVP candidate.
#1 Athleticism
Giannis Antetokounmpo's athleticism is unlike any other, which is why he can perform at MVP levels night after night. His long legs help him get up and down the court faster to convert on fastbreak opportunities or get back on transition defense.
Although his size and athleticism are impressive, his work ethic is also commendable. In an interview with CBS' Steve Kroft, Antetokounmpo made a shocking revelation, stating that he only needs six steps to go down the basketball court.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo manages to stay healthy throughout the 2021-22 season, winning the MVP title will be almost guaranteed. His athleticism and versatility will give him an advantage in the MVP race.
#2 Improved shooting from the free-throw line
Free-throw shooting has been a major flaw in Giannis Antetokounmpo's game. In the 2021 NBA playoffs, he got called for a 10-second violation because of the complexity of his routine.
However, the forward has made conscious efforts to improve his shooting from the charity stripe. In the title-clinching Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo converted 17 of his 19 attempts from the free-throw line. If he continues being consistent from the line, his point tally will significantly increase. This will also help Antetokounmpo make a firm case for the 2021-22 NBA MVP award.
#3 His two-way play
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best two-way players in the NBA right now. Although he lost the DPOY award to Rudy Gobert last season, the Frenchman is nowhere close to being as effective offensively.
The NBA rewards players for their overall impact on their team; who better than a player who makes plays offensively and game-deciding stops on defense? Giannis Antetokounmpo's clutch block in Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals ranks as one of the best blocks in finals history. His 50-point takeover in Game 6 then showed how effective he is on offense as well.
If Giannis continues to put together these iconic plays in the 2021-22 season, he could win the MVP and DPOY awards for the second time in three seasons.
#4 The Milwaukee Bucks will win more games
The Milwaukee Bucks ended the 2020-21 NBA season with a 46-26 record and finished third in the Eastern Conference. Despite it being a decent run, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be expected to lead the Bucks to more victories in the 2021-22 season.
Guiding your team to a top-three finish is also a factor that is considered before the MVP award is handed out. No matter how impressive an individual is, wins count more than anything else. Russell Westbrook, who averaged a triple-double season, was not even among the top six because the Washington Wizards finished 8th in the Eastern Conference.
The incentives that come with a top-place finish go beyond the MVP awards. While Giannis Antetokounmpo will have his eyes set on that, he would also like to lead the Bucks to the playoffs and take advantage of the easier matchups that might ensue following a top-three finish.
#5 Giannis Antetokounmpo will improve statistically
Giannis Antetokounmpo has never crossed the 30+ points average in a season, but it looks a likely outcome of the 2021-22 season. In the 2019-20 season, he came very close to reaching the 30-point mark as he finished the season with 29.5 points per game.
With the synergy on display during the 2021 NBA playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo will finish the season with better all-around stats. Although a triple-double season is highly unlikely because he is not yet an elite playmaker, a double-double season average is guaranteed with a slight improvement in his assists average.
A 30-point double-double season will undoubtedly put him as a front runner in the 2021-22 MVP race. Given how Giannis Antetokounmpo has consistently improved an aspect of his game year after year, many will expect another stellar outing from the Greek national.
Guess the Lakers players!
