Dallas Mavericks: End of season awards predictions roundtable

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on March 26, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Most Valuable Player

Giannis Antetokounmpo

“Giannis was the best player on the best team. He stuffed the stat-sheet. He was the heart and soul of his organization. He completely dominated everyone on both ends of the floor. James Harden had an incredible season and would’ve won MVP in other years, but Have to give the edge to Giannis here.” –Sean Bush

“Even though James Harden probably has more thirty point games than the Mavericks do wins, I think this award deservedly goes to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He has been a non stop force and no matter what player you may have on him, he’ll find a way to get to the basket.

The reason he differs from Harden is because Giannis does more than score. He finds grabs the boards and finds teammates to score. He is basically your all around player that you want. Harden may be having his best season ever, but you can’t top what special skills Giannis has compiled.” –Arsal Hussain

OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets walks back onto the court after he was poked in the left eye by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 30, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

“I really don’t know who to choose between James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both players are crucial to their teams’ success. Neither team would be close to the same if you removed these guys. Both put up monster numbers and dragged their teams to their respective spots in the playoffs. But I’ll go with Giannis over Harden because of his defense. He covers a multitude of mistakes for Milwaukee, whereas Harden is just average on defense. Still a tough call, though.” –Ben Zajdel

“The NBA is in the best position in regards to talent. Save the groans you middle-aged, the ’80s was the best decade in league history, three-pointers killed the game, naysayers. The NBA’s MVP race is close for a third consecutive season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, in my book, is the MVP. He is the apparent leader on the best team in the East, the best defender in the league, and most impressively, averages 27.5 points without a true three-point stroke.” –Lance Roberson

“This is one of the better MVP races we have seen in awhile. It is basically a two-man race between the Greek Freak and the Running Man, James Harden. My pick goes to Giannis Antetokounmpo thanks to the fact that he will be a top three guy in both the MVP and the DPOY awards. Statistically, the award probably goes to Harden, but the MVP for the best team was undoubtedly Giannis.” –Kohl Rast

James Harden

“As amazing as Giannis Antetokounmpo has been, and as well as Paul George was playing leading up to the All-Star break, Harden’s unbelievable season was consistent from game to game. Averaging 36 points per game is a modern-day Wilt Chamberlain-like achievement, and essentially carrying his team to home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs is remarkable.

Take the Greek Freak off of the Bucks, and they still easily make the playoffs in the East, but take Harden off the Rockets, and given the inconsistencies of Chris Paul, it is not out of the discussion that they could be a lottery team.” –Evan Siegel