Giannis Antetokounmpo has been tipped to beat Steph Curry’s current record by former LA Clippers power forward Blake Griffin.
The “Greek Freak” is one of the hottest performers in the NBA and his Milwaukee Bucks showings have seen him linked with a high-profile trade in the past.
Recently, the LA Lakers have been mooted as a possible destination for the 30-year-old, who is keen to add a second NBA Championship following his win with the Bucks. Milwaukee struggled due to injuries last season, meaning they finished the 2024/25 campaign fifth in the eastern conference and were knocked out of post-season in the first round for the third successive year.
While Antetokounmpo is expected to continue with the Bucks for the forthcoming campaign, he’s likely to leave before long, and with the Lakers potentially in the market for a LeBron James replacement, the NBA hero expected to trade in the free agency or retire next summer; the Lakers are supposedly keen on the two-time MVP winner.
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Even if the Bucks do struggle next season, though, Griffin has backed Antetokounmpo to better Steph Curry’s NBA record.
Griffin backs Giannis to better Curry's record
Curry won the award in 2015 and again in 2016, and as Golden State Warriors look to end their wait for an NBA Championship, the 2024 Olympics gold medal winner will again be central to their efforts.
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Speaking with Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston on the “Post Moves” podcast, Parker asked Griffin to predict who he felt would win the MVP award next year.
"I'm gonna go with Giannis [for] MVP. I think his team can still be top four in the East, and I also think without the help he's had around him, he's gonna be playing close to 40 minutes a night. And I think he's going to accept that challenge and average 30," Griffin said.
While Antetokounmpo’s stats reinforce Griffin’s call for Antetokounmpo to be named MVP next year, much does depend on the Buck’s performances in the east.
Interest in the Greek Freak will be high
Should they remain relatively injury free, then there is a chance they’ll make the playoffs, but they can ill-afford to fail to make the post-season for a fourth season running, especially as star man Antetokounmpo is likely to command huge interest in his services should he opt to leave.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander claimed the 2024/25 award as the Oklahoma Thunder secured the NBA Championship, beating the Pacers 4-3 in the best-of-seven series.
Whether Gilgeous-Alexander was the best player over the season, despite the Thunders’ success, remains to be seen, but it shows how team success impacts the voting.
Topics: LA Lakers, NBA, Steph Curry
Ben McAleer