5 reasons why Giannis Antetokounmpo can be an MVP candidate in the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 His two-way play

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot by Marcus Morris.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best two-way players in the NBA right now. Although he lost the DPOY award to Rudy Gobert last season, the Frenchman is nowhere close to being as effective offensively.

The NBA rewards players for their overall impact on their team; who better than a player who makes plays offensively and game-deciding stops on defense? Giannis Antetokounmpo's clutch block in Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals ranks as one of the best blocks in finals history. His 50-point takeover in Game 6 then showed how effective he is on offense as well.

The block heard around the world 🌎🔥Relive the best reactions from Giannis’ iconic block on Sounds of the Finals. pic.twitter.com/bb5UK4qPUQ

— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 23, 2021

If Giannis continues to put together these iconic plays in the 2021-22 season, he could win the MVP and DPOY awards for the second time in three seasons.

---

#4 The Milwaukee Bucks will win more games

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Milwaukee Bucks ended the 2020-21 NBA season with a 46-26 record and finished third in the Eastern Conference. Despite it being a decent run, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be expected to lead the Bucks to more victories in the 2021-22 season.

Guiding your team to a top-three finish is also a factor that is considered before the MVP award is handed out. No matter how impressive an individual is, wins count more than anything else. Russell Westbrook, who averaged a triple-double season, was not even among the top six because the Washington Wizards finished 8th in the Eastern Conference.

The incentives that come with a top-place finish go beyond the MVP awards. While Giannis Antetokounmpo will have his eyes set on that, he would also like to lead the Bucks to the playoffs and take advantage of the easier matchups that might ensue following a top-three finish.

---

#5 Giannis Antetokounmpo will improve statistically

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks high fives Khris Middleton #22.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has never crossed the 30+ points average in a season, but it looks a likely outcome of the 2021-22 season. In the 2019-20 season, he came very close to reaching the 30-point mark as he finished the season with 29.5 points per game.

By averaging 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, Giannis Antetokounmpo became just the third player in NBA history to average 29/13/5 in a season, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor#FearTheDeer #MagicAboveAll #ORLVsMIL #NBA

— SERC (@SERCenter) August 18, 2020

With the synergy on display during the 2021 NBA playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo will finish the season with better all-around stats. Although a triple-double season is highly unlikely because he is not yet an elite playmaker, a double-double season average is guaranteed with a slight improvement in his assists average.

A 30-point double-double season will undoubtedly put him as a front runner in the 2021-22 MVP race. Given how Giannis Antetokounmpo has consistently improved an aspect of his game year after year, many will expect another stellar outing from the Greek national.