2025 NBA Season

[Harkorede]

Giannis Antetokounmpo named as finalist for 2020 MVP and Defensive player of the year

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named as a finalist for the NBA’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards for 2019-20.

As the Milwaukee Bucks continue their pursuit of an NBA championship in Orlando, news on Saturday highlighted how the Larry O’Brien trophy may not be the only piece of hardware the franchise could finish this season with.

With the NBA announcing the finalists for its 2019-20 awards, the Bucks were represented in three of the six categories as they’ll look to repeat their awards success from a year ago.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of the finalists for both the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards, repeating his achievement from last year when he was also a finalist in both categories and came away as the MVP winner.

Meanwhile having recently been recognised as a joint winner of the Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year award for the current season, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is also in the running for this year’s honor from the NBA. Of course, Coach Bud is also the reigning Coach of the Year winner.

Those three categories offered up no shocks from a Milwaukee perspective, although there will be some disappointment that neither Brook Lopez or George Hill earned finalist spots for Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, respectively.

As for the finalists in the categories that featured Bucks’ representatives, Budenholzer is joined by Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, and Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan, the latter of whom has already shared Coaches Association honors with Bud for the season.

In the MVP race, Giannis will go up against James Harden, who will undoubtedly be given further reason to complain about rightfully losing out to Antetokounmpo for a second time, and LeBron James, who in pursuit of his fifth MVP win has been Giannis’ closest rival all season long.

On the Defensive Player of the Year front, James’ Lakers teammate Anthony Davis and reigning winner Rudy Gobert are the only two people who can potentially stand in the way of Giannis getting his hands on that trophy for a first time.

Antetokounmpo is currently deemed to be a clear favorite in the MVP race, and also looks to be the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year.

If Giannis was to claim both awards when the winners are officially announced, he would join Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to ever win both awards in a single season, and enter into even more rarefied territory in terms of his overall legacy.

Considering Giannis is still just 25, this could ultimately prove to still be only the beginning for him in terms of accolades. Who knows, this season could even see him pick up an NBA championship and a Finals MVP award too, if all goes to plan for the Bucks in Orlando.

Giannis imo, is no doubt the MVP for this year, but can he actually scoop both awards ?

[rhomelmabini]

I'll doubt this time if he can get both of those awards, but who knows? I think Giannis has a chance to get those and possibilities are always endless. I can vouch for the MVP award but DPOY, I think it will goes to Jabbar-Davis, just LBJ's new nickname.

[Vaculin]

I'll doubt this time if he can get both of those awards, but who knows? I think Giannis has a chance to get those and possibilities are always endless. I can vouch for the MVP award but DPOY, I think it will goes to Jabbar-Davis, just LBJ's new nickname.

With his performance, it's not far that he will get that award, but the big award is winning the NBA Finals and getting the Finals MVP, and IMO, only great players do that like Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant, Giannis badly need that kind of award.

[Reid]

I'll doubt this time if he can get both of those awards, but who knows? I think Giannis has a chance to get those and possibilities are always endless. I can vouch for the MVP award but DPOY, I think it will goes to Jabbar-Davis, just LBJ's new nickname.

With his performance, it's not far that he will get that award, but the big award is winning the NBA Finals and getting the Finals MVP, and IMO, only great players do that like Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant, Giannis badly need that kind of award.

And it's a big award because of the difficulty level of the playoffs.
You can relax a bit with the season but on that playoffs moment every point, rebound, assist, steal and block will matter.
There is no going back when you lose 1 game. It will hurt a lot unlike losing a game in season.

To help for the candidates votes for the awards, here is a voting created by CBS staff.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2020-nba-award-picks-giannis-antetokounmpo-runs-away-with-mvp-over-lebron-james-experts-split-on-dpoy/

Here are the CBS Sports NBA staff's picks for 2019-20 MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. Here's how we tallied our picks: Five points were awarded for a first-place vote; three points for a second-place vote; one point for a third-place vote.

For our All-NBA picks, click here. Also, James Herbert has you covered with his season superlative picks. 

Article was made April 15, 2020. After lockdown before NBA restart.
I don't know if something change the mind of those names who voted for them.
PS: I can only cut thru that part. Use the link for the full list.

[Rosilito]

I'll doubt this time if he can get both of those awards, but who knows? I think Giannis has a chance to get those and possibilities are always endless. I can vouch for the MVP award but DPOY, I think it will goes to Jabbar-Davis, just LBJ's new nickname.

With his performance, it's not far that he will get that award, but the big award is winning the NBA Finals and getting the Finals MVP, and IMO, only great players do that like Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant, Giannis badly need that kind of award.

Well yeah. He's one of the 3 candidates, right? Anyway he's great though (I am not denying that), however, I'll still go with Rudy or Brook, besides these two were on the the top list of players who has the most blocks. So, I think they are the most the deserving, oh yeah, even Davis too.

One more thing, he could get that Finals MVP award if they would be able to manage well in playoffs. They seemed off when bubble starts. You know... presure is a lot more intense in playoffs, so, I'm afraid they may not last long in postseason (not tryin' to drag them down or anything, don't get me wrong  ).

Article was made April 15, 2020. After lockdown before NBA restart.
I don't know if something change the mind of those names who voted for them.
PS: I can only cut thru that part. Use the link for the full list.

4/5 for MVP award, and 2/5 for DPOY? Well fair enough. Oh it was made last April, it might still change I wanna see Gobert on their choice   for DPOY!!!

[Viscore]

4/5 for MVP award, and 2/5 for DPOY?

I think 5/5 for MVP, he will definitely win again this season, but DPOY, that would go to Anthony Davis.

Well fair enough. Oh it was made last April, it might still change I wanna see Gobert on their choice   for DPOY!!!

If only we can check the odds in the sportsbook now, unfortunately I can't see it anymore.
Only the NBA winner are available now. 

[Bttzed03]

As it stands

Still hanging (below 8th place Grizzlies):
Blazers - .5 game behind
Spurs - 1 game behind
Suns - 1.5 game behind

Eliminated:
Pelicans
Kings

Zion can't do it all after all. He did well but getting eliminated early probably does more good than harm to him as he can start shredding those extra pounds before next season starts. He needs it.

JJ Redick's 13 year playoff streak has ended too. Not that important but it's still impressive. I remember Zion telling the press before the season that JJ told him not to mess up his streak
Who holds the longest playoff streak by the way?

This will be the 14th consecutive season that Kings missed the playoff. It's a long time rebuilding for this organization. I guess they can no longer replicate the success they once had with Chris, Mike, Peja, Vlade. That team used to give the likes of Lakers and Spurs real headaches.

[rhomelmabini]

Who holds the longest playoff streak by the way?

For a team it was Spurs with 22 playoff streaks, hope they'll make history and a miracle to claim they have the longest for 23 and for the active player it was JJ Redick tied with LeBron at 13th streak but ended as well this year, LeBron was the last year.

John Stockton and Karl Malone hold the longest all-time playoff streaks at 19 years with the Utah Jazz. Tony Parker has the third-longest at 17 years, a streak that was broken last year with the Charlotte Hornets, which helped Redick claim the longest active streak.

This stat was from the last year but I think we've got Kyle Korver with 12 then turns 13 this year because Bucks undoubtedly clinched that playoff spot. The article was from Parker but you can glance there the stats. James Harden was next to ranking to have 10 streaks. See below:
https://www.nba.nbcsports.com/2019/04/11/tony-parkers-playoff-streak-ends-at-17-years-third-longest-in-nba-history/amp/

[Reid]

As it stands

Still hanging (below 8th place Grizzlies):
Blazers - .5 game behind
Spurs - 1 game behind
Suns - 1.5 game behind

Eliminated:
Pelicans
Kings

I was just about to put an analysis too.
Thank you for doing this in advance because I am having a hard time to analyze everything.  

There is an intriguing part here. (After I read stadus bet for the Suns, that bulb of idea popped out of my head)
It's a bad one and just my own opinion, okay? You can call me crazy afterwards but for now hear me out.
Blazers is at 33 wins with 2 more games.
Suns is at 31 win with 3 more game.
If you look at it, its actually unfair. Suns is at perfect wins when we just count the restart of the season. Blazers already loss 2 games.
There is also a bad calculations with the games played.

Blazers 33-39 +2 more games = 74
Suns 31-39 +3 more games =  73 (correct me if I am wrong)

Back to my crazy opinion. Suns will be playing against OKC.
Melo and CP3 are good friends right? Really close.
Do you think CP3 will do everything to stop this Suns from getting another win?
I mean, that could mean a lot for Melo right?

[el kaka22]

Unfortunately things look not really that well for Spurs and their streak. Right now, they are half a game behind Portland and Spurs will be playing against the rockets which I think will not be that easy for them, they have to win that game no matter what and I think they will not be capable of winning it.

However let's assume that Spurs will win that game with some luck somehow and that still leaves Portland to lose against Mavericks as well, which I know that Mavs are looking like the better team but it is certainly not as big of a gap as Spurs versus Rockets, so there is a chance Portland could win. In order for Spurs to go to playoffs and that is with 9th seed, spurs needs to beat Rockets while Portland losing to Mavs which I do not see happening at all.

[Bttzed03]

~
There is an intriguing part here. (After I read stadus bet for the Suns, that bulb of idea popped out of my head)
It's a bad one and just my own opinion, okay? You can call me crazy afterwards but for now hear me out.
Blazers is at 33 wins with 2 more games.
Suns is at 31 win with 3 more game.
If you look at it, its actually unfair. Suns is at perfect wins when we just count the restart of the season. Blazers already loss 2 games.
There is also a bad calculations with the games played.

Blazers 33-39 +2 more games = 74
Suns 31-39 +3 more games =  73 (correct me if I am wrong)

That extra game by Blazers will probably help them clinch that last playoff spot if they win their 2 remaining games. It does look unfair but the teams also agreed to the current format so Suns and Spurs (71) can't do anything else but try to win all their games and hope for the best.

Back to my crazy opinion. Suns will be playing against OKC.
Melo and CP3 are good friends right? Really close.
Do you think CP3 will do everything to stop this Suns from getting another win?
I mean, that could mean a lot for Melo right?

Every team is looking for their own interest so it doesn't matter I guess. Suns will always go all out to win regardless if CP3 and the rest of OKC will try their best to stop them. That's the way it should be - competitive.

Unfortunately things look not really that well for Spurs and their streak. Right now, they are half a game behind Portland and Spurs will be playing against the rockets which I think will not be that easy for them, they have to win that game no matter what and I think they will not be capable of winning it.

The ball is round and anything can happen. Who knows what kind of Harden will show up in their match.

I personally don't like the current Spurs team. I prefer the Suns to go through because of their perfect record so far but I don't think they'll have a chance against Lakers. If there's any team that will give them headache, it will be Dame's Blazers.

[Questat]

Back to my crazy opinion. Suns will be playing against OKC.
Melo and CP3 are good friends right? Really close.
Do you think CP3 will do everything to stop this Suns from getting another win?
I mean, that could mean a lot for Melo right?

OKC doing everything to lose, haha.. Suns won by 20+ points. You have a point man but I think even without that friendship, their job is to win, but they lose in this game, which makes the race more interesting.

[jademaxsuy]

OKC doing everything to lose, haha.. Suns won by 20+ points. You have a point man but I think even without that friendship, their job is to win, but they lose in this game, which makes the race more interesting.

OKC was once a great team with KD, westbrook.and harden but they are persistent in getting titles that resulted to part ways and join other teams that has high potentials in getting championship titles. KD has already won championship but Harden and Westbrook still playing for it. If ever they get the chance to team up again in OKC high chances that they can win a championship game that if the three guys are in good shape.

[arwin100]

OKC doing everything to lose, haha.. Suns won by 20+ points. You have a point man but I think even without that friendship, their job is to win, but they lose in this game, which makes the race more interesting.

OKC was once a great team with KD, westbrook.and harden but they are persistent in getting titles that resulted to part ways and join other teams that has high potentials in getting championship titles. KD has already won championship but Harden and Westbrook still playing for it. If ever they get the chance to team up again in OKC high chances that they can win a championship game that if the three guys are in good shape.

They are great but their coaching staff didn't facilitate them well as they didn't succeed when those 3 big names mentioned are in one team. But for now westbrook and harden in new team seems promising as they can possibly get the champ if they will help each other and they will let the ball rotate on their teammates.

But I don't think those 3 will join in 1 team since provably their salary cap will be a burden for that matters, but things will change if one of them will give way and accept a lower compensation.

[Harlot]

Article was made April 15, 2020. After lockdown before NBA restart.
I don't know if something change the mind of those names who voted for them.
PS: I can only cut thru that part. Use the link for the full list.

With this results coming from staff  (former NBA players) we are seeing a glimpse of who might be winning the award. Remember that NBA awards are voted by a panel of sports writers and analyst and not all of them have played in the NBA so showing these kind of picks coming from staff of people working in the in the NBA media industry. And judging on where it stands I think Giannis is the one the media is favoring to win the MVP however all of this will change during the playoffs and if Giannis fails to perform I think they might shift their heads towards Lebron.

[Pamadar]

Back to my crazy opinion. Suns will be playing against OKC.
Melo and CP3 are good friends right? Really close.
Do you think CP3 will do everything to stop this Suns from getting another win?
I mean, that could mean a lot for Melo right?

OKC doing everything to lose, haha.. Suns won by 20+ points. You have a point man but I think even without that friendship, their job is to win, but they lose in this game, which makes the race more interesting.

Suns continue to played solid and the quest to the next round still open for them, there's no friendship that can stop Suns to win and it shows from the result after this game, Booker solid game has been backed up by his entire squad, they are really collaborating and the blends of each players are very nice to watch.

[danherbias07]

OKC doing everything to lose, haha.. Suns won by 20+ points. You have a point man but I think even without that friendship, their job is to win, but they lose in this game, which makes the race more interesting.

OKC was once a great team with KD, westbrook.and harden but they are persistent in getting titles that resulted to part ways and join other teams that has high potentials in getting championship titles. KD has already won championship but Harden and Westbrook still playing for it. If ever they get the chance to team up again in OKC high chances that they can win a championship game that if the three guys are in good shape.

It will be difficult to achieve by now.
They part ways. They now have new teams on their own.
I bet OKC fans will also hate WB now, just like what they did with KD even though it should be their own decision of whatever team they will choose.
Since they are stars, a lot of offer will come in.

Maybe this is also the best chance of Harden and WB to get a championship.
Harden is in high amount of focus now. I think the WB addition gave a large boost for them.

[Reid]

Back to my crazy opinion. Suns will be playing against OKC.
Melo and CP3 are good friends right? Really close.
Do you think CP3 will do everything to stop this Suns from getting another win?
I mean, that could mean a lot for Melo right?

OKC doing everything to lose, haha.. Suns won by 20+ points. You have a point man but I think even without that friendship, their job is to win, but they lose in this game, which makes the race more interesting.

Hahaha. Well, now my craziness is over.
That was just yesterday.
Luckily, Suns will never meet Lebron in this whole 8 games. I hope you know what I mean and it connects with my craziness again.

Suns and Blazers might have the difficulty to win this game this time.
Blazers against Dallas and 76ers against Suns.
But both those teams are already secured. Could they just let the two win this game?  

[FanEagle]

^ Well, all four teams will end up playing once again today, which will make things change a ton in the next 10 hours or so (or whenever all 4 games ends). Spurs playing rockets, suns playing sixers, grizzlies playing celtics and portland playing mavs, all four teams have a chance to be in the playoffs right now, it is super exciting to watch however if you tell me that all four teams will lose today I would totally believe you.

Not that it will happen,  I am sure at least one of them will end up winning, however it really looks like all four are facing teams that are better than them, closest one looks like blazers versus mavs, but even they have a difference. I don't know how "fun" it will be, but it will be interesting for sure. And I call an end to Suns streak, sixers will probably get this game.

[Captain Corporate]

 Keldon Johnson is just having his best game ever probably, Spurs are definitely winning this one up, lets see what the other teams will end up doing, tonight is one of the best nights to watch NBA in a very long time, we are talking about 4 teams even 5 teams fighting for 2 spots, and 8th seed is even more important because if you win just one you go to playoffs, if you are 9th you need to win 2 in a row.

 Suns and Sixers is about to start, and I think that could be end of Suns chances as well, they have come thus far incredibly and nobody gave them any chance at all but at this point I think it is quite possible for them to just end the streak right here. However I should remind that Embiid might be out, so that means the best player is gone and Suns could still continue to strike.

 All in all there is a HUGE chance that 8th and 9th will be decided on the very last game of the season.