Doc Rivers blames voter fatigue for Giannis Antetokounmpo not getting more MVP love


Before Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers offered a simple explanation when asked why Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t a larger part of NBA MVP conversations. “I don’t even want to get into it, but there’s been guys that you get tired of voting for,” Rivers said. “Michael Jordan may be the poster child of that. “And Giannis seems to be in that category; where you’re so good, everything you do is taken for granted. When you just look at his numbers, they’re incredible, and yet, you never hear his name. It’s unbelievable, but that’s a sign of respect more than disrespect in some ways.”
Source: The Athletic

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Last night, Doc Rivers offered a theory on why Giannis Antetokounmpo is not a bigger part of the MVP conversation.
“There’s been guys that you get tired of voting for. And Giannis seems to be in that category.”
Then, Antetokounmpo did something historic. theathletic.com/5311527/2024/0…11:37 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Alex Antetokounmpo debuts in Lithuanian Basketball League with 2⃣ three-pointers 🤩
🎥 @betsafeLKL pic.twitter.com/JdTaOqOhWq10:04 AM

Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Giannis Antetokounmpo is now the top player of the season, per HoopsHype’s Global Rating.
Mind you, Giannis, Shai and Jokic have lost five games combined this year. pic.twitter.com/7WfWTnd2Di9:22 AM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a 46-point double-double over Chicago 🇬🇷
@Giannis_An34 is now the winningest player in Milwaukee’s history:
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/16…4:39 AM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Good morning! 🌅☕
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 46 points as the #Bucks dominated the Bulls 113-97 in a feisty game
💪 AJ Green hits the deck but “BP & Pat Bev” back him up
👥👥 Doc Rivers adjusts lineups, keys fourth quarter surge
jsonline.com/story/sports/n… via @journalsentinel – 2:21 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Giannis Antetokounmpo must have eyes in the back of his head to make this pass 😳
pic.twitter.com/kD8YsbXoyI1:47 AM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (872) has scored more points than Giannis (860) since January 1st. They’ve both played 28 games since then – 12:42 AM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Bucks 4th Straight game holding their opponents under 100 points!!! Looks like old Excuse Making Doc Rivers got the ears of that locker room. Don’t mind me and Carry the hell on… – 12:41 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
FINAL: Bucks 113, Bulls 97
– Antetokounmpo 46pts/16reb/6ast
– Lillard 16pts/3reb/7ast
– Beverley 14pts/4reb/2ast
– Lopez 12pts/3reb
– Portis 11pts/9reb
The Bucks are now 40-21 on the season. They’ve won five straight games after the All-Star break. – 12:37 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Players with a 45/15/5 game on 70% shooting:
Wilt Chamberlain (3x)
Bob McAdoo
Joel Embiid
And now, Giannis. pic.twitter.com/opdJu1gu9C12:36 AM

StatMuse @statmuse
Giannis tonight:
46 PTS
16 REB
6 AST
16-22 FG
The 4th player in NBA history with a 45/15/5 game on 70 FG%. statmuse.com/nba/player/gia…12:36 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo commits the foul to get himself out of the game with the Bucks up, 111-96, with 1:42 left.
He ends the night with 46 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. – 12:34 AM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Giannis 46 pts, 16 rebs, 6 assists
It’s the most points he has scored against the Bulls in his career – 12:34 AM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Surprised Giannis and Dame are still in this game. Bulls have pulled plug on DeMar long ago. Bucks up 13 with 2:17 left. – 12:30 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Bucks up, 105-89, with 4:58 left, but Doc Rivers wants a timeout.
His team is getting a little loose with it right now. – 12:23 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
After three quarters, the Bucks lead, 82-72.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has 38pts/12reb/4ast in 27 minutes.
Damian Lillard (16p/3r/7a) and Brook Lopez (12p/3r) are the only other two Bucks players in double figures. – 12:00 AM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Giannis has 22 of the Bucks’ 28 points in the paint – 11:50 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
With 7:41 left in third quarter, the Bucks lead, 66-56. Looks like the Bulls are going to try to remain pesky in this one.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is up to 27 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. – 11:38 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Half: Bucks 58, Bulls 44
– Antetokounmpo 23pts/8reb/4ast
– Lillard 12pts/2reb/5ast
– Lopez 9pts/3reb
– Portis 8pts/5reb
Jae Crowder with the buzzer-beating 3 to end the first half on a pretty pass from Damian Lillard. – 11:16 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bucks 58, Bulls 44 at half
Vucevic 15 pts
DeRozan 0-6 FGs, 2 pts, 6 assists
Giannis 23 pts, 8 rebs, 4 assists
Lillard 12 pts, 4 assists
Portis Jr. 8 pts, 5 rebs – 11:15 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
That was a really nice cut by Malik Beasley. Timed his pop out to the 3-point line as Giannis Antetokounmpo rolled and he got a wide-open 3. – 11:14 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Jae Crowder just tried the Khris Middleton Sideline Out of Bounds Lob to Giannis Antetokounmpo and mistimed the pass, so it did not work. – 11:11 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
There is no such thing as a cut assist, but Bobby Portis deserves one for running that lane hard in front of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Got the big fella a bucket by running hard down the lane. – 10:53 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Doc Rivers has mentioned it a lot recently, but the Bucks are really much better at getting deflections now.
They recover into passing lanes much better when opponents pick up their dribble. – 10:52 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
With Gallinari, Portis and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are going with a little zone here against the Bulls.
Beverley and Connaughton on the top of the zone. – 10:50 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
After one quarter, the Bucks lead, 33-24.
Giannis Antetokounpo put up 11pts/3reb/4ast in the first eight minutes. Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis each had 8pts/2reb in the first quarter as well. – 10:44 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Don’t normally clip plays during games, but I haven’t seen this highlight making the rounds yet.
Ridiculous pass from Giannis Antetokounmpo. pic.twitter.com/dA8elqeCZx10:37 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
With 4:40 left in the first quarter, the Bucks lead, 23-16.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the way for the Bucks with 11 points, three rebounds and four assists. And the Bucks are 5-of-10 from deep thus far. – 10:30 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Bulls fans have begun counting down Giannis every time he lines up at the free throw line. Guy sitting court side lost his mind after getting to 13 (admittedly on a very fast count). – 10:28 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo has now hit a 3-pointer in all five games out of the All-Star break. – 10:25 PM
Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Drummond with a big block on Giannis as he comes in as the early sub for Caruso. Back to the two-big look. – 10:23 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
That’s a disgusting pass from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tossed it no-look over his head back to Brook Lopez for a 3. Wow. – 10:18 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
You never really see people pressure Giannis Antetokounmpo in the backcourt…and that possession shows why.
Alex Caruso tried to pressure him at the opposite 3-point line and Antetokounmpo spun off him and attacked the basket with an open runway to the rim. – 10:17 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Damian Lillard sneaks behind a dribble handoff from Giannis Antetokounmpo and nails a 3 for the game’s first points.
And away we go in Chicago… – 10:14 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Coming up at halftime on Bulls Radio–former Bull, Eddy Curry will join us- @670TheScore @chicagobulls radio network.
Pre Game Doc Rivers on 9PM starts and scouting DeMar DeRozan. Billy Donovan on DeMar’s amazing month of February. – 9:14 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
We’ve reached the point of the NBA season where Doc Rivers is answering pregame questions about Onuralp Bitim. – 8:41 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Some great matchups tonight. I’m expecting Caruso to guard Giannis and Ayo on Lillard @670TheScore 8:45 pre. Bulls ball ! – 8:22 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Former Dominican High School star Alex Antetokounmpo signs with Lithuanian team jsonline.com/story/sports/n… via ⁦@journalsentinel⁩ – 7:04 PM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
The big men are coming out to EAT tonight! 🍽 I’ve got Duren, Poeltl, & Antetokounmpo each to record over 9.5 rebounds. Who’s riding on @ESPNBet?? #ad pic.twitter.com/bapmo0SICT4:17 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
The Bucks have submitted an injury report for tonight’s 9pm game against the Bulls in Chicago.
Probable
Giannis Antetokounmpo (right knee patellar tendinitis)
Out
Khris Middleton (left ankle sprain)
Chris Livingston (G-League assignment)
Rollins (2-way)
Washington Jr. (2-way) – 2:37 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
NBA Injury Report: Khris Middleton remains sidelined for the Bucks (ankle) Giannis is good to go- Caruso questionable ( hamstring)-update from Billy Donovan at 7:15. Pre game 8:45- not a typo ( national tv) @670TheScore @chicagobulls radio network. Fired up! – 2:16 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
NBA Injury Report: Khris Middleton remains sidelined for the Bucks (ankle) Giannis is good to go- Caruso questionable ( hamstring)-update from Billy Donovan at 7:15. Pre game 8:45- not a type ( national tv) @670TheScore @chicagobulls radio network. Fired up! – 1:42 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Joined the Tampering squad (@sam_amick, @anthonyVslater, @FredKatz) to talk about the Bucks on The Athletic NBA Show.
– Are the Bucks good again?
– What’s up with Doc Rivers?
– Should Giannis Antetokounmpo be MVP?
Apple: apple.co/3jpVA3i
Spotify: spoti.fi/2OJXcHe11:14 AM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
When Doc Rivers entered Thursday’s post-game locker room, he gave his team a simple description of their play.
“A great professional win.”
The Bucks know no one is impressed with two wins over the Hornets, but that didn’t keep them from doing their jobs. theathletic.com/5309419/2024/0…10:04 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Doc Rivers’ reaction after Thanasis Antetokounmpo got a technical foul from the bench 😂
pic.twitter.com/7Ssyz74uRV2:49 AM

Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
The @Bucks 110.1 D-RTG under Doc Rivers is now 4th best in the NBA during that stretch with 4 of those 14 games being played against teams in the top 11 in O-RTG – 10:41 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
5th time the @Bucks have held an opponent under 100 points since Doc Rivers took over – 9:20 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Curious to see what Doc Rivers does here…
On the first night of a back-to-back, he tried to close this one out with the reserves, but the Hornets have cut the Bucks’ lead down to 11, 107-96, with 1:57 left. – 9:17 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Unlike Tuesday night, the Hornets are not going away tonight. 7-0 run from Charlotte has forced a timeout from Doc Rivers.
Bucks still up, 85-72, with 2:59 left in third quarter though. – 8:44 PM

More on this storyline

For years, as far back as his exclusive interview with The Athletic following the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship run, Antetokounmpo has felt as though his passing sometimes gets underrated, but his nightly highlight passes this season, as well as a career-high 6.3 assists per game, seem to have brought attention to his ability as a high-level distributor. “I’ve become a more willing passer this year because my teammates are pretty freaking good, but I think I always could pass,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “Coming into the league, that was my thing that separated me, but we didn’t have a lot of TV games, and a lot of people didn’t pay attention to Milwaukee. “So, people see me do a pass now, it’s like, ‘Oh, he can pass!’ I’ve been passing. I’m the all-time assist leader in Milwaukee. ‘Oh, he can pass!’ Of course, I can pass.” -via The Athletic / March 2, 2024
Justin Kubatko: Giannis Antetokounmpo last night: ✅ 46 PTS ✅ 16 REB ✅ 6 AST ✅ 16-22 FG It’s the 20th time he’s recorded a 40-point game while shooting at least 70% from the field, tying Adrian Dantley for the most such games in NBA history. Today’s free game notes: statitudes.com/p/nba-game-not… -via Twitter @jkubatko / March 2, 2024
Clutch Points: “I said how everybody got to do a better job, even the equipment manager… I got to take it back. They’ve been unbelievable… Now they’ve got to go back to the teams… and ask for a raise.” – Giannis Antetokounmpo 😆 (via @Giannis_An34) pic.twitter.com/daIf9CkUr8 -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / March 1, 2024





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