2019 NBA Awards Odds Update: Giannis Could Win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year
- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is a contender to be NBA MVP and DPOY
- Four players – Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon – have won both awards
- Only Jordan (1987-88) and Olajuwon (1993-94) won both in the same season
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks could put his name alongside Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olaujuwon at Monday’s NBA Awards in Santa Monica, California.
Only four players have been named both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history – Jordan, David Robinson, Kevin Garnett and Olaujuwon. But only Jordan (1987-88) and Olajuwon (1993-94) won both in the same season.
Can The Greek Freak make it a trio?
Antetokounmpo is heavily favored by sportsbooks in the NBA MVP odds. However, he’s the second betting choice behind Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz for DPOY.
2019 NBA MVP Odds
| Player | 2019 NBA MVP Award Odds |
|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | -1100 |
| James Harden | +500 |
| Paul George | +5000 |
*All odds taken 06/24/19
Giannis Pulls Away From Harden
There are plenty of people who still think the NBA MVP race is a toss-up between Giannis and Houston Rockets guard James Harden, the reigning MVP.
Although Harden won his second consecutive scoring title this season, Antetokounmpo was dominant in many areas. He was third in the NBA in points per game (27.7), sixth in both rebounds per game (12.5) and total rebounds (898), and seventh in defensive rebound percentage (20.0).
? The NBA MVP finalists for the 2018-19 season: #Harden vs #Antetokounmpo ?
Who do you think should take the award ❓#onlinesportsblog pic.twitter.com/06T6VMls2b
— Online Sports Blog (@osportsblog) June 24, 2019
He earned an NBA-leading .292 win shares per 48 minutes. Antetokounmpo also rated in the top 20 in blocks (12th), field goal percentage (11th), and assist percentage (19th).
On top of that, Giannis led the Bucks to the NBA’s best regular-season record.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo (-1100)
2019 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds
| Player | 2019 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds |
|---|---|
| Rudy Gobert | -360 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +350 |
| Paul George | +900 |
Going on the Defensive
Gobert will be seeking to win back-to-back DPOY awards. That’s happened nine times previously, starting with the first winner, Sidney Moncrief of the Bucks in 1983 and 1984.
Certainly, he has the credentials. Gobert led the NBA in defensive box plus/minus (5.0). He was second in blocks (187) and total rebounds (1,041).
Still, you just get a sense that Giannis is going to grab this. He was among the league leaders in blocks, blocks per game, and defensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+350)
2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
| Player | 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds |
|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | -3500 |
| Trae Young | +750 |
| Deandre Ayton | +10000 |
Doncic Was Dominant
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is the overwhelming favorite in the NBA ROY odds, as well he should be. Doncic lived up to the hype.
He joined Oscar Robertson as the only rookies in league history to average a minimum of 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game.
Doncic (Slovenia) is seeking to become the second European player to win ROY. Pau Gasol (Spain) was the 2002 Rookie of the Year.
Pick: Luka Doncic (-3500)
2019 NBA Coach of the Year Odds
| Player | 2019 NBA Coach of the Year Odds |
|---|---|
| Mike Budenholzer | -1600 |
| Doc Rivers | +950 |
| Michael Malone | +1400 |
Budenholzer Delivered the Goods
Coach of the year is always a subjective award. Generally, it goes to the bench boss of a team that made a quantum leap up the standings.
Mike Budenholzer’s Bucks jumped in wins from 44 to 60. Standings-wise, they moved from third in the Central to division champions and first overall in the NBA.
The three finalists for NBA Coach of the Year… Mike Budenholzer, Michael Malone, and Doc Rivers!
The 2019 #NBAAwards air Monday 6/24, 9:00pm/et on TNT! pic.twitter.com/zkyevjkVHj
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2019
Budenholzer previously won this award with the Atlanta Hawks in 2015.
Pick: Mike Budenholzer (-1600)
2019 NBA Most Improved Player Odds
| Player | 2019 NBA Most Improved Player Odds |
|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam | -1600 |
| D’Angelo Russell | +600 |
| De’Aaron Fox | +5000 |
Siakam Steps Up
You only needed to watch the NBA Finals to recognize the way Toronto Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam had raised his game to another level.
"For me this moment is even more special because it's not just me… it's a family dream." #KiaMIP finalist @pskills43's "ORIGIN STORY" ahead of 2019 #NBAAwards Monday (6/24) at 9pm/et on @NBAonTNT! pic.twitter.com/v19Plao7Od
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2019
Of course, the playoffs don’t count in the voting for any of these awards. But even if you just take into account his regular-season performance, Siakam was a sensation and a worthy candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
His games started jumped from five to 79, while his minutes played per game increased to 31.9 from 20.7
Siakam’s points per game was 16.9, an improvement from 7.3. His rebounds per game jumped from 4.5 to 6.9. Siakam’s performance is a significant reason why the Raptors are NBA champs.
Pick: Pascal Siakam (-1600)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
