By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is having one of the most productive seasons of his career and arguably his top all-around output so far in the NBA while his team is third in the Eastern Conference standings. Yet he’s probably not discussed for MVP as much as, let’s say, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or Luka Doncic.
The reason, according to Bucks coach Doc Rivers is simple: Voter fatigue.
“I don’t even want to get into it, but there’s been guys that you get tired of voting for,” Rivers said per The Athletic. “Michael Jordan may be the poster child of that. And Giannis seems to be in that category; where you’re so good, everything you do is taken for granted. When you just look at his numbers, they’re incredible, and yet, you never hear his name. It’s unbelievable, but that’s a sign of respect more than disrespect in some ways.”
Rivers made those comments before the Bucks’ game against the Chicago Bulls Friday (1/3). Giannis went on to deliver one of his best performances this season with 46 points and 16 rebounds as Milwaukee got a 113 – 97 away win.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.8 points, 11.3 points and a career-high 6.3 assists so far in 2023-24 while being a cornerstone of the Bucks’ defense. Collectively, these are better numbers in comparison to both seasons he was named MVP (2019, 2020).