Giannis Antetokounmpo won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice in 2019 and 2020. Even though he’s become one of the league’s best players, Doc Rivers doesn’t think voters will choose the Milwaukee Bucks franchise player because they’re tired of him.He used Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan as a reference to explain why
“I don’t even want to get into it, but some people you’re tired of voting for,” Rivers told reporters on March 2, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “Michael Jordan ) may be a typical representative.” Giannis seems to be one of those guys where you’re so good that everything you do is taken for granted. When you just look at his numbers, they’re incredible, but you never hear his name. It’s unbelievable, but in some ways it’s more of a sign of respect than disrespect. “
During his NBA career, Jordan won the MVP five times, winning the award in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1998. He infamously lost the award to Karl Malone in 1997. People were outraged when Malone won because many believed Malone’s win over Jordan was largely due to voter fatigue.
Antetokounmpo’s path to the award became easier when reigning MVP Joel Embiid went down with a meniscus injury. However, he will still compete for the award with the likes of Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum.
Doc Rivers provides latest on Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton last played for the Bucks on February 6. The Bucks have performed well recently without him, winning five games in a row. Dr. Rivers provided Nehm with an update on Middleton’s condition on March 3. Rivers told Naim that Middleton “walked a little bit, not a lot,” adding that he was “pretty questionable” on March 4 against the Clippers, According to Nehm’s X account.
Rivers later told Naim he would be involved when players were injured, According to Nehm’s X account.
“I’m not involved in it. The funny thing is, even Chris said that and I didn’t even ask. I’m not involved in the training room. I just think it’s a terrible place for a coach to be. So, I never — I don’t think I ever said, ‘You’re going to play tomorrow, right?’ I didn’t say anything. They came and told me. I pray they understand the health part of it better than I do, and I’m sure they do.
Middleton has played 43 games this season and 33 games in the 2022-23 season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo out for game against Antetokounmpo
Khris Middleton isn’t the only Bucks player to miss the Clippers game. ESPN’s Jamal Collier reports via his X account Giannis will also miss the Clippers game with an Achilles injury, as Dr. Rivers told him.
The Bucks are currently half a game ahead of the second-place Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics lead the top-seeded Bucks by eight and a half games. With 21 games left, their chances of catching the Celtics are slim. However, the No. 2 seed is very important to them.
If Middleton and Antetokounmpo return sooner, their chances of getting a higher seed would be better.