Giannis wins his second straight MVP award originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Giannis Antetokounmpo produced one of the best individual seasons in NBA history and, to no surprise, it earned him the league's most valuable player award. It is the second consecutive year he has won MVP.
Antetokounmpo also took home the defensive player of the year award last month, becoming just the third player to win both honors in the same season. He joined Michael Jordan (1987-88) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94).
Antetokounmpo is now one of only five players to win both awards in their careers. David Robinson and Kevin Garnett also accomplished the feat.
Though his team faded late and disappointed in the playoffs, Antetokounmpo put up monster numbers this season. He averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, a block and a steal per game all while shooting 55.3 percent from the field.
Antetokounmpo was fifth in the league in scoring and second in rebounding, and those numbers were each up from last season. So, he won the MVP award and then got even better.
Antetokounmpo became just the third player in league history to average at least 29 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, and the first since Wilt Chamberlain in 1965-66. The third is Elgin Baylor, another Hall of Famer. Antetokounmpo, though, compiled those numbers while holding a higher field goal percentage.
At only 25 years old, Antetokounmpo is now the third active player to win back-to-back MVPs, joining LeBron James and Stephen Curry. If he gets a third one next season, he will be the first player to do so since Larry Bird (1983-86).
There is much debate these days over the best player in the NBA, as there is no consensus king of the league like there has been in the past. But according to awards voters, it's pretty clear who reigns over the NBA these days. Antetokounmpo is the guy.
Lately, however, Antetokounmpo's greatness has been overshadowed by the Bucks' early exit from the playoffs. After being upset by the Miami Heat, they are now at a crossroads with the league MVP just one year away from free agency.
ESPN first reported the news of Antetokounmpo winning MVP.
