Giannis Antetokounmpo wants that MVP trophy

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants that MVP trophy

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants that MVP trophy
NBA

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants that MVP trophy

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The Bucks, one win away from clinching home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, decided to try to wrap that up on national TV against the budding rival Sixers on Thursday. Now, Giannis Antetokounmpo and friends can rest: Milwaukee won, 128-122, in a thriller.

For his part, Antetokounmpo remains both fully engaged in the season (despite the increasingly decreasing stakes as seeds get set) and seemingly heaven-bent on winning MVP. His performance against a top opponent screamed MVP: 45 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. What’s more, four of those blocks came against Joel Embiid, the best center in the NBA. Including this masterpiece.

In the MVP race, Antetokounmpo has two advantages over chief combatant James Harden: team success and defense. The Rockets’ hot streak has shrunk the impact of the former, Antetokounmpo certainly reminded us of his vast advantage in the latter on Thursday. Antetokounmpo’s individual defense is as game-changing as Harden’s individual offense, and Antetokounmpo’s offense is extremely powerful as well, while Harden’s defense bounces between adequate and sub-optimal. That’s why I think Antetokounmpo wins the MVP this season.

Those blocks on Embiid — and in particular that block — are pretty nice reminders of Antetokounmpo’s impact on that end of the floor. Now that Milwaukee has clinched home court, it would be prudent for the Bucks to rest for a week. But you wonder if Antetokounmpo wants to play out the string to continue to push the MVP narrative and not let Harden sneak in the last word.

Scores
Bucks 128, Sixers 122
Cavaliers 104, Kings 117
Warriors 108, Lakers 90

Schedule
Here’s the national TV schedule this weekend. All times Eastern. Full schedule here.

Friday:
Celtics at Pacers, 8, ESPN
Blazers at Nuggets, 10:30, ESPN

Saturday:
Nets at Bucks, 5, NBA TV
Sixers at Bulls, 8, NBA TV

Sunday:
Heat at Raptors, 12, NBA TV
Thunder at Timberwolves, 3:30, ABC
Suns at Rockets, 7, NBA TV
Jazz at Lakers, 9:30, NBA TV

Links
The most important thing ever published by SB Nation: a REWINDER episode on Michael Jordan’s life-saving dunk from Space Jam.

I’m still really unnerved by Marcus Thompson’s reveal that Steph Curry became the greatest shooter in NBA history over the past decade despite an untreated eye disease that made his vision blurry. Are you kidding me?

Zito Madu on Russell Westbrook’s tribute to Nipsey Hustle and how grief connects us.

Stripe Season: Beyoncé signs with Adidas. Can Kanye West re-release “Facts” and sub in Beyoncé’s name for Swaggy P now?

The other night, Luka Doncic dropped Josh Okogie on a crossover with game ticking down ... and then passed the ball to Jalen Brunson to take the potential game-winner. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

Brian Phillips on LeBron James and existential crises. Yes, please.

This is legitimately a big deal: BIG3 and CBS reached a broadcast deal that will have games on live. That was always going to be the next step for BIG3. Season starts June 22.

Lonzo Ball has split with his agent, apparently amicably. The agent is a young upstart who appears to have been brought into the fold by LaVar Ball. And now I’m wondering if Lonzo is trying to fully disentangle himself from his father in a business sense.

Is this rookie class the best of the century?

Earl Watson went back to UCLA to finish his degree. Pretty cool.

Rick Pitino is going to the playoffs. In Euroleague, that is.

I wrote about the Wizards giving some truly bizarre reasons for finally firing Ernie Grunfeld. Candace Buckner asks if Tommy Sheppard can step out of Grunfeld’s shadow?

How Sabrina Ionescu and Oregon became the internet’s favorite college basketball team.

Be excellent to each other.