Giannis Antetokounmpo named finalist for NBA MVP & Defensive Player of the Year

Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden and LeBron James are the finalists for the NBA's 2019-20 MVP award.

"The Greek Freak" is considered the heavy favourite to win the MVP award for a second consecutive year.

He is averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game.

Antetokounmpo is also a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, along with Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis.

The finalists are based on votes from sportswriters and broadcasters. They voted on performances before the NBA restarted at Disney World after a four-month pause due to the pandemic.

Winners will be announced in the coming weeks during NBA broadcasts on TNT.

Last month, Nike as revealed Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second signature sneaker, the ‘Zoom Freak 2’.

The Greek Freak’s latest kicks are based on his unique on-court movement patterns.

“What Giannis does in space is directly connected to his body proportions,” says Ross Klein, Senior Creative Director for Nike Basketball. “What’s different about his movements is that he’s causing so much pressure when he hits those steps, like the Eurostep, that we need to help propel him and contain him further near the toe.”

The new signature shoe honours his Nigerian roots. On the shoe you can find nods to his parents, Charles and Veronica. On the sockline you will find the words, “I am my father’s legacy”, and on the traction is a print of their roots and Giannis’ journey to the NBA.