Doc Rivers explains why Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t being mentioned as much in MVP conversations

Have voters grown tired of Giannis' brilliance?

Jonas Panerio | Mar 4, 2024

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Milwaukee Bucks

Whenever conversations regarding this season's Most Valuable Player race come up, the usual suspects are consistently named – Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic. But one name that seems missing from the discussion is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

In a recent interview with reporters, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers shared his thoughts on why Antetokounmpo isn't mentioned as much in MVP conversations despite putting up impressive numbers this season.

People got tired of voting for Giannis

There's a term called "voters' fatigue" that is often used in the context of MVP discussions. It refers to the fatigue or exhaustion voters feel when they continuously vote for the same player year after year. And according to Doc, this seems to be the case with Giannis.

The 29-year-old forward has won back-to-back MVP awards in 2019 and 2020, and voters may have grown accustomed to the substantial numbers he delivers every season.

"I don't even want to get into it, but there's been guys that you get tired of voting for," Rivers said.

"Michael [Jordan] may be the poster child of that. And Giannis seems to be in that category; where you're so good, everything you do is taken for granted."

Rivers made a solid point in citing His Airness, especially during the 1996-1997 season, when he lost the MVP trophy to Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz. During that season, Jordan averaged 29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game for a Bulls squad that went 69-13 in the regular season. On the other hand, Malone averaged 27.4 points, 9.9 boards, and 4.5 assists per outing as Utah won 64 games.

Many surmise that part of why Malone won the MVP that year was due to voter fatigue. Jordan had already won four MVP awards at that point, so there may have been a sense of wanting to give someone else a chance.

Giannis at 26 #AllsImSayin https://t.co/PUTvaxoA89 pic.twitter.com/0uv2FELgIm
— 🥤 (@34for2) March 3, 2024

Giannis' incredible numbers this season

Despite the arrival of fellow superstar Damian Lillard in Milwaukee, Giannis has remained 'the man' for the Bucks, averaging 30.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and a career-high 6.3 assists per game. However, the "Greek Freak" remains third in the latest MVP Ladder behind Jokic and SGA. Since winning MVP in 2020, the closest Giannis has come to winning the award again is third in 2022 and 2023.

"When you just look at his numbers, they're incredible, and yet, you never hear his name. It's unbelievable, but that's a sign of respect more than disrespect in some ways," Doc shared.