Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and perennial powerhouse in the NBA, has been a staple of the MVP conversation ever since his breakout season in 2018-19. Yet, this season saw him finish third in the MVP race, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander claiming the prestigious award for the first time. In response to the announcement from NBA Insider Shams Charania, Giannis took to social media, posting, “What??!!!! Did Shams get hacked? No way this is true??!!”
Now, there are a couple of ways to interpret Giannis’ reaction. Given his charismatic and humorous personality, it could simply be a playful nod to the dramatic way fans often react to MVP announcements. However, there’s also a possibility that he genuinely feels surprised at the outcome, especially considering he was up against three-time winner Nikola Jokic in a competitive field.
When you look at Jokic’s performance—averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career—it’s tough not to draw comparisons to Russell Westbrook’s 2017 MVP season, where he led a middle-tier team but took home the trophy. This year, though, the narrative didn’t align as the NBA opted for Gilgeous-Alexander, leaving many scratching their heads at the decision.
Delving into the MVP voting results, it’s clear Gilgeous-Alexander was the favorite, garnering an impressive 42 more first-place votes than Jokic, who finished second. The total points were indicative of his dominance in the discussion: Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 913 points, while Jokic received 787 and Giannis finished with 470. In fact, Giannis was almost a unanimous third-place choice—88 out of 100 voters placed him right there, underscoring his status as a top contender even amidst some high-profile names rounding out the votes.
Among those unusual contenders was Evan Mobley, who received a vote, and even LeBron James, still making waves at 40, who garnered 14. The likes of Cade Cunningham, James Harden, and Jalen Brunson also found their names in the mix, though their seasons didn’t quite scream “MVP.”
As the Bucks faced an early exit from the playoffs, courtesy of the Pacers, speculation is beginning to loom over Giannis’ future in Milwaukee. Will he look for a fresh start elsewhere to reclaim his MVP form, or is he committed to bringing another title to the Bucks? This subplot promises to be one of the most captivating narratives as we approach the summer, with the potential to shape the league for years to come. The saga of Giannis continues, and it will be fascinating to see where it leads next.
