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The 2021 NBA Finals MVP Race (as of July 20, 2021)
Introduction
As of Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 the 2021 NBA Finals series is set at 3 – 2 in favor of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Milwaukee Bucks have won the last three straight games after losing the first two games on the road in Phoenix, Arizona. The Phoenix Suns need to win game 6 on Tuesday night in order to force a final and decisive game 7 this Thursday, July 22nd, 2021. I have a good feeling the 2021 NBA Finals will go all 7 games, and the 2021 NBA Finals MVP will be determined depending on the outcome of the upcoming and very exciting match – up or two this week. Below are my predictions for the 2021 NBA Finals MVP race listed from number 1 to number 6.
1.) Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
At the moment, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the current front runner to win the 2021 NBA Finals MVP award. Giannis is leading the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971 when they last won the NBA championship under the leadership of Lew Alcindor who is also known as Kareem Abdul – Jabbar these days. Throughout the 2021 NBA Finals Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.2 points per game, 13.0 rebounds per game, 5.6 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, and 1.2 blocks per game. If the Milwaukee Bucks win game 6 to clinch the 2020 – 2021 NBA championship look for Antetokounmpo to be hoisting up the 2021 NBA Finals MVP trophy during the celebrations taking place in Fiserv Forum located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Antetokounmpo’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 2 Time NBA Most Valuable Player (2019, 2020)
- 5 Time NBA All – Star (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- NBA All – Star Game MVP (2021)
- 3 Time All – NBA First Team (2019, 2020, 2021)
- 2 Time All – NBA Second Team (2017, 2018)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020)
- 3 Time NBA All – Defensive First Team (2019, 2020, 2021)
- NBA All – Defensive Second Team (2017)
- NBA Most Improved Player (2017)
- NBA All – Rookie Second Team (2014)
- Euroscar Player of the Year (2018)
2.) Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
Chris Paul was most likely leading this 2021 NBA Finals MVP race after the first two games that were heavily dominated by the Phoenix Suns from the Footprint Center located in Phoenix, Arizona. Although the Suns have struggled over the course of the last three basketball games, if for some reason Phoenix plays their asses off and they win game 6 as well as game 7, then I am guessing Chris Paul had a lot to do with that championship effort, and Paul will most likely take home the 2021 NBA Finals MVP award at that point. Chris is averaging 21.0 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 8.8 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game, and 0.2 blocks per game so far during the 2021 NBA Finals. When it is all said and done Chris Paul should be a no-doubt Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
Paul’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 11 Time NBA All – Star (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021)
- NBA All – Star Game MVP (2013)
- 4 Time All – NBA First Team (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- 5 Time All – NBA Second Team (2009, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021)
- All – NBA Third Team (2011)
- 7 Time NBA All – Defensive First Team (2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
- 2 Time NBA All – Defensive Second Team (2008, 2011)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2006)
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2006)
- 4 Time NBA Assists Leader (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015)
- 6 Time NBA Steals Leader (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- Consensus First – Team All – American (2005)
- First – Team All – ACC (2005)
- Third – Team All – ACC (2004)
- ACC Rookie of the Year (2004)
- Number 3 Retired by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2004)
- First – Team Parade All – American (2003)
- McDonald's All – American (2003)
- North Carolina Mr. Basketball (2003)
3.) Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
Middleton started of this crucial and final series of the 2020 – 2021 NBA season slow, but he has come on tremendously strong as of late. In game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals Khris scored an amazing 40 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and stole the ball two times while only turning the basketball over one time during this “must win” game for the Milwaukee Bucks who seemed to have taken over the momentum of the 2021 NBA Finals ever since they began game 3 from their home court. Middleton is currently averaging 25.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game, and 0.0 blocks per game throughout the first 5 games of this rollercoaster of an NBA Finals series.
Middleton’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 2 Time NBA All – Star (2019, 2020)
- Second – Team All – Big 12 (2011)
4.) Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Booker has been playing very inconsistent and erratic during the 2021 NBA Finals so much so that he was benched during the fourth quarter of game 3, but if he comes out and plays hard leading the Phoenix Suns to wins in game 6 and game 7, I would not be surprised if he wins the 2021 NBA Finals MVP award. Devin is averaging 30.0 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game, and 0.4 blocks per game thus far this 2021 NBA Finals.
Booker’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 2 Time NBA All – Star (2020, 2021)
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2016)
- NBA Three – Point Contest Champion (2018)
- SEC Sixth Man of the Year (2015)
- Second – Team All – SEC (2015)
- SEC All – Freshmen Team (2015)
- McDonald's All – American (2014)
5.) Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)
Jrue Holiday has been a constant force for the Milwaukee Bucks throughout the entirety of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. He does it all as he creates shots for his teammates as well as himself, and he comes up huge in big – time game situations when clutch is king. Holiday is averaging 17.6 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 9.0 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game, and 0.8 blocks per game so far during these 2021 NBA Finals.
Holiday’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- NBA All – Star (2013)
- 2 Time NBA All – Defensive First Team (2018, 2021)
- NBA All – Defensive Second Team (2019)
- NBA Sportsmanship Award (2021)
- NBA Teammate of the Year (2020)
- Pac – 10 All – Freshman Team (2009)
- Gatorade National Player of the Year (2008)
- First – Team Parade All – American (2008)
- Third – Team Parade All – American (2007)
- McDonald's All – American (2008)
- California Mr. Basketball (2008)
6.) Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
Ayton is definitely the long – shot to win the 2021 NBA Finals MVP honors, but crazier things have happened. If for some reason Deandre was able to stop / contain Giannis while putting up mad numbers during the last two games of the 2021 NBA Finals in which he leads the Phoenix Suns to their first ever NBA title in franchise history, then Ayton would deserve to pick up the 2021 NBA Finals MVP award following a Phoenix Suns’ game 7 victory in that scenario. Currently Deandre is averaging 15.2 points per game, 13.2 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, and 1.4 blocks per game over the course of these 2021 NBA Finals up to this point.
Ayton’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2019)
- Consensus First – Team All – American (2018)
- Karl Malone Award (2018)
- Pac – 12 Player of the Year (2018)
- First – Team All – Pac – 12 (2018)
- Pac – 12 Freshman of the Year (2018)
- Pac – 12 Tournament MOP (2018)
- McDonald's All – American (2017)
Sources:
“Finals MVP Ladder: Khris Middleton enters the race: While Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to shine, Khris Middleton drops 40 and seals Game 4 in crunch time.”, Michael C. Wright, nba.com, July 15, 2021.
“Finals MVP Ladder: Giannis Antetokounmpo powers his way to the top after Game 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominance has breathed life into Milwaukee and, potentially, his own Finals MVP case.”, Michael C. Wright, nba.com, July 12, 2021.
“2021 NBA Finals – Bucks vs. Suns”, basketball-reference.com, July 20, 2021.
“Giannis Antetokounmpo”, basketball-reference.com, July 20, 2021.