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Eric WoodyardESPN
While quarantined with his family at home, Milwaukee Bucks swingman and current MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said he had no access to a hoop.
But apparently that was not the case. Antetokounmpo admitted after practice Tuesday in Orlando, Florida, that he was only saying that to gain an advantage over his peers.
“Anyone who thought they didn’t have access to a gym didn’t even know me,” Antetokounmpo said, laughing. “So, I just said that to try to get a little ahead of the competition.”
In April, Antetokounmpo told reporters in a conference call: “So, I don’t have access to the hoop. Many NBA players have a court at home or something, but now I only do exercises at home. Riding the bike, the treadmill, lift weights and stay sharp like that, but I don’t play basketball. “
Before the break, Antetokounmpo made a good case for another MVP trophy as he averaged the best 29.6 points and 13.7 rebounds in 30.9 minutes, as the Bucks held the NBA’s best record at 53-12.
On Friday, the NBA informed teams that none of the upcoming qualifying games will count towards individual regular season awards, such as MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Antetokounmpo could become the third player in league history to win both awards in the same season.
To his surprise, Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo deserves consecutive MVPs for his “important work.”
However, Antetokounmpo is locked into a bigger goal.
“To be honest with you, I really haven’t thought about that. I saw him a couple of days ago, which ended. I tried not to focus on the MVP conversations, who is the MVP and all of that. My goal is to improve every day to help my team to win games and everything will settle by itself, “said Antetokounmpo. “That’s what happened last year. He was locked up and winning games and helping my teammates, and he took care of himself. So, that was my main focus. Now, I know there are going to be a lot of people talking about it the MVP, but that’s not my main focus.
“My main goal is to improve, win games, help my team play good basketball and try to win the great trophy. The last time we did it was in ’71, so that’s my main goal right now.”
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