Throughout his career, Giannis Antetokounmpo has received numerous honors, including two MVP trophies. Winning the coveted prize might be sufficient for most celebrities, but the Milwaukee Bucks star wants to take home the honor for a third time.
In the 2018–19 season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, earning him his first MVP award of the regular season. With a 60-22 record, the Greek Freak guided the Bucks to the top of the Eastern Conference. He won his second MVP award the following season after averaging 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. With a 56-17 record, Milwaukee was still leading their conference.
However, Giannis isn’t getting any younger, as he turned 30 on Friday. Despite being in his 30s, he expressed his goal to earn his third MVP award in a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports.
“Yeah, that definitely might put tears in my eyes,” the Bucks star said. “I do want to be part of that conversation. It lets me know I was able to help my team, carry my team, solidified [us as a team].”
On his 30th birthday, Giannis Antetokounmpo: “it’s crazy to me. I had just come to a realization that I might never win another MVP”
Giannis is coming back for his crown https://t.co/2p3X4hs4nZ
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) December 6, 2024
Winning a third MVP in his 30s would put him in a different category. The last player who won the award in their 30s was former Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash, who won it back-to-back during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. At that time, Nash was 30 and 31 years of age, respectively.
“At this point in my career, I had the conversation with my brother, I was like, man, it’s crazy to me. I had just come to a realization that I might never win another MVP,” Antetokounmpo continued. “I’m having better years than the years I won it. But hey, the league is improving, guys are playing very, very well.”
As he ages, the two-time MVP is gradually changing his game. While he still attacks the rim with the same vigor, he’s gotten smarter with his approach.
“I’m literally changing my game, and it gives me so much dopamine rush in my head, because I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. Now there’s going to be games that I’m going to make [none]. Last game, I didn’t make s***. But this game, I made them. Hopefully next game, I can make some more.”
How has Giannis Antetokounmpo performed this season?
In the interview, he did with Yahoo! Sports, Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned that he’s playing better than the seasons he won the MVP award. Looking at his stats, there is truth in his statement. The Bucks forward is averaging 32.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
Despite the team’s sluggish start, Giannis could be a serious candidate to win the 2025 MVP.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
