Giannis Named NBA MVP, Budenholzer, Horst Also Win Awards

How do you spell “Antetokounmpo”? How about M-V-P. Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2018-19 season at the NBA Awards in Los Angeles Monday night. Giannis helped lead the Bucks to their best record since 1980-81 and the top mark in the NBA at 60-22. He averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists on the year – all of which were career highs. Giannis joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in team history to earn MVP honors. 

Watch Giannis’ MVP Acceptance Speech

That wasn’t the only award the Bucks organization took home at last night’s awards. Head coach Mike Budenholzer was named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2018-19 season. Coach Bud joins Don Nelson as the only coaches in team history to be named NBA Coach of the Year. 

In addition, Bucks General Manager Jon Horst was named the NBA Executive of the Year at Monday’s awards. Horst hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach and assembled a team that won 60 games, was the top scoring team in the league and finished in the top five in both offense and defense. Horst is the second Bucks General Manager to earn Executive of the Year honors, joining John Hammond, who won the award following the 2009-10 season.