Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has explained why he believes Giannis Antetokounmpo should win the 2020 NBA MVP, even though he used an old example to express his opinion on the matter.
Shaq believes his losses to the coveted award in front of Steve Nash are the perfect way to see how things will go down this season, where LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are competing for the prize.
“Based on the new criteria that somebody somehow made up; because there was a guy that beat me (Nash) out twice. And they said he beat me out because his record was better than mine.”
He respects Giannis and praised the Greek player, but also made it clear that LeBron James remains the best player on earth, no matter what.
“So based on that b***s*** criteria that y’all made up, Giannis is 53-12. And LeBron is the best player in the world, he’s 49-14. So based on this new criteria, you gotta give it to Giannis.”
The Greek Freak has been terrific for his side this season, leading them to have the best record in the league, while playing only 31 minutes per outing. Giannis is set to repeat as the MVP winner but that’s not what worries him right now. He’s focused on the title, just like LeBron and he won’t be mad if the King earns his fifth MVP award as long as he wins the NBA title next October.
Shaq had huge words for Giannis and the way he decided to pursue that title, leading his team instead of joining other stars in his quest for the NBA title.
“What I respect about Giannis is he’s saying ‘Okay Bron I respect you and all that, but I don’t want to join those super teams I want to do it by myself’. And they live in Milwaukee. You put them with coach Bud, the kid plays hard, he’s very exciting to watch and he’s doing it the right way. I’m giving him super respect for that, so he gets my knot.”
It looks like Giannis is set to win back-to-back MVP awards and nothing can stop him. However, that’s not his biggest ambition this season.
