NBA MVP Watch 2018-19: 5 Best performers from 17th October

#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks v Charlotte Hornets

Stats: 25 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block in 34 minutes of game time;

9-of-21 shooting from the field, 7-of-12 from the free throw line, game-high +/- of +11

The Greek Freak is Zach Lowe's pick to win the 2018-19 MVP award, and the Alphabet certainly started the season off in good enough form to warrant the selection. The Bucks were stretched to the limit by Kemba Walker's Hornets - a phrase that you should take literally on a day the UConn 8th year veteran poured in 41 points on 29 shots while making 7 3-pointers and was a missed shot away from winning the game.

Giannis himself was impressive in an understated alpha role - he led the team in shots taken at 21 while the rest of the Bucks' perimeter players chipped in with sizeable contributions of their own.

At the end of the day, Giannis found himself a fresh poster to mark the start of the season, dunking all over Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as the Hornets ran a super-small lineup in order to bring the game back to a close juncture.