By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
122 NBA players were asked by The Athletic writers to pick their choice for the 2019 MVP. Milwaukee Bucks‘ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Houston Rockets‘ James Harden, the favorites to claim award, naturally gathered most of the votes and “The Beard” was the one to win the poll.
Harden received 44.3% of the votes while Giannis was picked by 38.9% of the players. 127% chose Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George.
Philadelphia 76ers centers Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard was also picked by some of the players that participated in the poll.
Giannis (27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks) has the theoretical advantage over Harden due to his two-way output plus the fact that the Milwaukee Bucks will finish the season with the best record in the NBA. Harden’s numbers (36.1 points, 7.6 assists, 6.6 rebounds) though might win him the award.
If Giannis wins MVP, he will be the first international player to claim the honor since Dallas Mavericks‘ Dirk Nowitzki in 2007.