Giannis takes 2nd straight MVP, 1st player since Hakeem to also win DPOTY
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has been named the NBA's MVP for the second consecutive season, the league announced Friday.
In capturing the award, Antetokounmpo becomes the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1993-94 to win both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. The only other player to ever do so is Michael Jordan.
— Giannis Ugo Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) September 18, 2020
Antetokounmpo, who is the only Bucks player aside from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to win MVP, beat out LeBron James and James Harden for this season's Maurice Podoloff Trophy.
The Greek-born superstar received 85 first-place votes, with James getting 16. Dallas Mavericks sophomore sensation Luka Doncic placed fourth in the voting.
Antetokounmpo is the 12th player in NBA history to win MVP in consecutive seasons, and the first European to do so.
NBA awards voting this season only included games until the suspension of play on March 11. During that time, Antetokounmpo averaged 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on near-55% shooting while posting a league-high 52 double-doubles.