While the NBA keeps studying ways to resume the 2019/20 season, fans and analysts are back debating what is the best player in the league and who should win the individual awards once the season is finished. One of the biggest debates in the league since the suspension was the MVP award winner.
During a big part of the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo looked like the biggest favorite to get the award, but LeBron James earned more praise since the league entered the hiatus.
ESPN conducted a poll to vote for each award with its panel of experts. The results were interesting, to say the least. For the biggest award of all, the Most Valuable Player, they selected Giannis, as it’s believed around the league, he beat Lakers LeBron James and Rockets’ James Harden. Antetokounmpo not only was selected to win the MVP, but also the Defensive Player of the year.
The full list of awards:
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Rookie of the Year: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors
Sixth Man of the Year: Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers
Most Improved Player: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
This season was terrific for the Bucks and the Greek Freak, averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. If he actually wins both awards, he’d become the third player ever to win the MVP and the DPOY in the same season, joining Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.
LeBron James also had a tremendous season leading the Lakers to have the best record in the West, posting 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game with the Purple and Gold.
We still don’t know if this will translate to reality, but according to ESPN’s experts, the 2020 NBA MVP is Giannis Antetokounmpo.
