Back-to-Back MVPs: The 2019 and 2020 Reign

Giannis Antetokounmpo is among the rare players to dominate the regular season in back-to-back years. He took the MVP in 2019 and 2020, officially turning from "high-upside prospect" into "the face of the league."

In 2018-19, Giannis first claimed MVP: 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists a game, leading the Bucks to the league-best 60 wins and First-Team All-NBA plus All-Defensive honors. He already showed the "play one through five" frame — a 6'11" wing with a 7'3" wingspan yet guard-like speed and handle.

He successfully defended it in 2020, averaging 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 55.3% shooting. More stunning: he also won Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) in 2020, becoming one of the few to sweep MVP and DPOY in one season (after Jordan in 1988 and Garnett in 2008) — unmatched two-way dominance.

The back-to-back MVPs meant more than trophies. They proved Giannis wasn't a "raw athlete living on youth" but a player who fused talent, evolution and IQ. Even when opponents schemed against his shooting, he still impacted games with drives, passes and defense. The 2019-20 Giannis was the league's most destructive force — a regular-season king, earned.

Related Reading

• 2019 NBA MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 2020 NBA MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
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• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Glory and Idol— A Myth of Greek Proportions, Born of Immigrants
• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Most Valuable and Legacy— A Basketball Fable from Bench to Summit