The argument last week over Gianni between ESPN commentators JJ Redick and Kendrick Perkins over stat padding was undoubtedly noted if you watch the NBA like a total moron. The Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is edging closer to becoming the first player to win three consecutive MVP honours since Larry Bird when Perkins accused him of inflating his stats. Redick vehemently disagreed, giving ESPN a topic to debate for a few days.
When Russell Westbrook, on his way to winning MVP, became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for the entire season, he was accused of padding stats. There is no denying that one of the top players in the league engaged in some obvious stat-padding to record a triple-double on Sunday, but the discussion over stat-padding frequently seems boring and unnecessary.
In order to record a triple-double against the Washington Wizards, Giannis Antetokounmpo only needed one more rebound. Giannis purposely missed a jumper in the dying seconds of the game to grab the offensive rebound and seal the triple-double as he raced down the court for a fastbreak with the Bucks’ victory already assured. According to ESPN insider Zach Lowe, Antetokounmpo’s triple-double was overturned by the NBA on Monday because he did not shoot with the intention of scoring.
Giannis should be aware that Ricky Davis tried this once and failed because he is an expert in the game. In order to obtain the final rebound he needed for his first-ever triple-double in 2003, Davis purposely missed a jumper at his own hoop. Given that it was on his own basket, the statisticians did not count it. At the time, Jerry Sloan, the opposing coach, expressed his desire for Davis to be struck in the head (rear). Even worse, this was praised on the Bucks’ official account without any irony.
Giannis still has a slim lead over Jokic in the fan poll for the NBA’s best player. Despite Khris Middleton being in and out of the lineup and the Bucks adding players at the trade deadline, their 16-game winning streak recently came to a stop. Giannis previously claimed a title in 2021, and he has a strong chance of doing so again this year. Simply put, he is not required to stat-pad in this manner for no reason.
Since Antetokounmpo grabbed one more rebound during a March game against the Wizards, no one will have a higher opinion of him. Instead, his method was just a little humiliating. When Ricky Davis did that, it was amusing. The situation with Giannis is absurd. Throughout the regular season, he has nothing to prove to anyone. All of us simply want to see if he can take home another ring.
Can Giannis still win the MVP?
One of the front-runners for the MVP award this season is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have taken the top spot in the Eastern Conference rankings under his direction. The Bucks are currently on an extraordinary winning streak, which might help them advance to the postseason.
Giannis’ performance this season has been a major factor in the team’s success. For the Bucks, he averages 31.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Considering his statistics, he might finish the 2022–23 season as a leading contender for the MVP title.
The opposition he faces is tough as well. This season, the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum is widely anticipated to take home the prize. He had a fantastic start and maintained a steady output throughout his campaign. Tatum might be strongly taken into consideration by many as far as making the race competitive.
