Milwaukee Bucks: Considering Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2019-20 MVP rivals
By Adam McGee
Joel Embiid
As Giannis Antetokounmpo sets out in pursuit of repeating as MVP, and winning a championship this season, there may be no player presenting a bigger obstacle to him achieving both of those goals than Joel Embiid.
If the Bucks are to make it to the Finals and have their chance at lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy, they’ll almost certainly have to go through Embiid’s 76ers.
It’s everything that leads up to that apparently inevitable, high-stakes showcase that will inform this year’s MVP race, though. From the East, team record may well be a defining factor in who emerges as the frontrunner, and for many (although nobody you’ll find at this site) the Sixers are predicted as having the edge over the Bucks on that front.
At this point, there’s no doubting Embiid’s ability, and there’s little doubt over his ability to put together the kind of season worthy of the league’s top individual honor. The Cameroonian is the league’s most dominant center, and one of the very best two-way threats around.
His MVP case will hinge on just how good the bizarro, extra large Sixers prove to be, but of course it will also be dependent on Embiid’s ability to stay healthy. That’s always a question mark, but there’s no question about the path to the stage on NBA awards night existing for the 25-year-old.