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Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo confirmed as Most Valuable Player

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks watches from the bench as teammates finish off the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on May 08, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Celtics 116-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 08: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks watches from the bench as teammates finish off the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on May 08, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Celtics 116-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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After much debate and plenty of speculation, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has finally been named the 2018-19 Most Valuable Player.

The wait is over: Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is your 2018-19 KIA Most Valuable Player.

The news served as the grand finale to the third annual NBA Awards show put on by TNT Monday night and the Greek phenom was there in person to accept the award.

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In the end, Antetokounmpo prevailed over Houston Rockets superstar and last year’s Most Valuable Player James Harden, as well as Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Paul George, as revealed in the final balloting.

This makes Antetokounmpo the second player in Bucks franchise history to be named Most Valuable Player, the first obviously Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who earned the honor a staggering three times in his six seasons in Milwaukee.

As we all know, Antetokounmpo took even more steps forward to enjoy yet another career year, all of which led to the 24-year-old reinforcing and strengthening his stance as one of the most dominant figures standing in the NBA.

Not only that, but Antetokounmpo finally got a lasting taste of team success as the Bucks went on to have one of their best campaigns in franchise history by tallying a league-leading 60-win season, their first since 1980-81.

In his 72 regular season appearances this year, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.7 points on .521/.256/.729 shooting splits, 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals across 32.8 minutes per game

As a result of his spectacular production, Antetokounmpo previously earned his third All-Star selection midway through the year and took home both All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA First Team honors and during the Bucks’ playoff run.

Upon winning this year’s MVP award, Antetokounmpo had many to thank, ranging from his teammates, the Bucks’ coaching staff and front office and of course, his family. Clearly emotional, Antetokounmpo closed out his speech channeling a simple message he took on from his father:

"“As my Dad told me, always want more, but never be greedy. My goal is to win a championship and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”"

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From just a kid who grew up in Sepolia in Athens, Greece to the 2018-19 Most Valuable Player, the latest chapter in Antetokounmpo’s rags-to-riches story has been written and he’s still only getting started.

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