There’s not much expectations on the Milwaukee Bucks this season. This could also be the narrative that will push Giannis Antetokounmpo to his third MVP award.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, MVP
Jul 22, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) holds his NBA Finals MVP Trophy during the Milwaukee Bucks victory parade. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
It has been five years since Antetokounmpo has won the season MVP trophy although he is a constant candidate to win it. He is in the Top 5 of scoring since 2019 while also playing elite level defense. However, the MVP award has been elusive.
NBA analyst Tim Bontemps thinks there is a chance for Antetokounmpo to win the award this 2025-26 season. However, he has to work harder than ever to do that. He needs to post astronomical numbers ala-Russell Westbrook in 2016-2017 season when he was left all alone to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder after Kevin Durant left for the Golden State Warriors.
“If Giannis can play 75-plus games, which he obviously has not done in a long time, he’s got a chance to win MVP, because he’s going to put up astronomical numbers, and if he does that, they could finish third or fourth, they could win a lot of games, and he would get a lot of credit for that,” Bontemps said in his show.
Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant
January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
“Sort of like the Russell Westbrook MVP season,” the analyst said. “It’s not exactly the same, but it’s got some parallels to it.”
Like Westbrook, Antetokounmpo will head to the new season without another star playing alongside him after the Bucks waived Damian Lillard.
Giannis Antetokounmpo primed as point forward
Antetokounmpo always had a Brodie type of game in him. When he was still and up-and-coming player, some commentators called him the 6’11 version of Westbrook.
He has been a do-it-all guy for the Bucks, too. In 2017, he led the team in all five major categories, joining legends Dave Cowens, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James on the list as the only players to do it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes the ball away from New Orleans Pelicans forward Karlo Matkovic (17) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Fans might witness a return of this type of Greek Freak as according to head coach Doc Rivers and general manager Jon Horst, he will play a lot of point forward.
The Bucks still don’t have a starting point guard to replace Lillard. Giannis played the point forward position for a stretch in the 2024-25 season. He did it in the last six games of the regular season wherein he recorded five games with double digit assists, four triple doubles in that span.
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