It is wild that some sports and betting sites already have their MVP ranking 1.5 week in to the 2025-26 NBA season but what got many fans attentions is the way Giannis Antetokounmpo is treated in their lists.
The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a hot start, something many critics are not expecting because as they say, he does not have a good squad behind him. He currently averages 36.3 points per game, the second best right now, and 14 rebounds per game, third behind Nikola Jokic and Damontas Sabonis.
His stellar play has led his the Bucks to a 3-1 start, dropping only the game against Eastern Conference titans Cleveland Cavaliers wherein they lost by just five points on the road. Their latest win was against the Knicks where he scored 37 points in 33 minutes.
Antetokounmpo, who won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, is not slowing down after finishing the last three seasons above 30 points, something that no active player or anyone from the last decade has done. His current production only shows he is getting better. That, however, is lost among critics and even bettors.
Popular NBA X account NBA central released a list of frontrunners for the MVP and Giannis is not even in the Top 3.
Updated MVP odds:
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 33%
2. Victor Wembanyama – 22%
3. Nikola Jokic – 18%(Via @PlayProphetX / https://t.co/F1e8y69T86) pic.twitter.com/VHZKKwMGR8
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 29, 2025
Another ranking does not even have him in the Top 4.
JUST IN: Victor Wembanyama has now surpassed SGA as the favorite to win MVP on @PolymarketSport 🤯
THE LEAGUE IS DOOMED. pic.twitter.com/ZpNnyLS3xe
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 29, 2025
SGA’s and Wemby’s ranking are not being questioned given the fact that they are also giving MVP performances as their respective clubs remain undefeated. Denver Nuggets’ Jokic, however, is found sketchy as his team has the same record as Giannis and he is not allegedly putting up stellar numbers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t ever get his third MVP
The Greek Freak is a victim of voter’s fatigue after winning it already in back to back seasons in 2019 and 2020. He was a candidate in 2021 and 2022 but he never got the attention or came close to winning it.
These rankings got the fans thinking he is never going to win the award again.
Breaking News: Giannis Antetokounmpo is the first active NBA player ever ineligible for the MVP award https://t.co/SHlW4pJrLj
— MarzTalksSports (@MarzTalksSports) October 29, 2025
What has Jokic done to justify him at 3rd?
Better question, what more does Giannis have to do to break top 3? https://t.co/btnTjBTlFH
— MylesHighClub (@MylesHighClub3) October 29, 2025
Giannis is so clearly 1, I understand why Bucks fans feel the way they feel https://t.co/XFQCRHxsn1
— The House that Kami Built (@KamitronPTW) October 29, 2025
Even NBA veteran Patrick Beverley is baffled by it.
how is there no Greek ? 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/A9HyNFImgw
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) October 29, 2025
Do the NBA have a problem against Greek-Nigerians?
Because Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the MVP so far this season. https://t.co/nUkOBk7HWp pic.twitter.com/VL8zz8Tzjh
— Tactician (@Tactician128) October 29, 2025
Giannis has +4500 odds to win the NBA MVP.
Are the books sleeping on the “Greek Freak?” 👀 https://t.co/WTTGbfPpn7 pic.twitter.com/NdDz9NwZ8D
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) October 29, 2025
Of course, it should be noted that these rankings are about MVP odds and represent public pulse about the award. Big market teams, especially those in the West, get more likeability from the media and the public. In the end, media members will have more say about it.
As long as Giannis continue playing like a monster, he might break into the Top 3, just like what happened to him last season before losing it to SGA.
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