Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar, is undeniably one of the NBA’s most dominant forces. With two MVP awards, a Finals MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year honor, and seven All-Star appearances by age 30, his resume is the envy of most players. Yet, despite these accolades, a large proportion of NBA players seems to believe that Giannis receives more attention than he deserves. This sentiment was underscored in The Athletic’s 2025 anonymous player poll, where Giannis garnered just 1.9% of the MVP vote, trailing far behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (56.1%) and Nikola Jokić (37.4%). So, why do some of his peers appear to undervalue him?

The Athletic’s 2025 Player Poll: A Stark Reminder

The Athletic’s annual anonymous player poll, conducted by Sam Amick and Josh Robbins, surveyed 155 NBA players—over a third of the league—in 2025. The results were telling: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the overwhelming choice for MVP, with Jokić a strong second. Giannis, despite being named one of the three official MVP finalists alongside SGA and Jokić, received a mere 1.9% of the vote, tying with Donovan Mitchell. This gap between official recognition and peer perception raises questions about why Giannis, a perennial MVP candidate, is viewed so modestly by his fellow players.

The poll also highlighted other areas where Giannis’s reputation takes a hit. For instance, he received 2.2% of the vote for “most overrated” player, a category led by Tyrese Haliburton (14.4%). While this percentage is small, it’s notable that a player of Giannis’s calibre even appears on such a list. To understand this disconnect, we need to examine the critiques—both explicit and implied—that players have voiced about his game.

The Case Against Giannis: Peer Critiques

1. One-Dimensional Offensive Game

One recurring critique, echoed in posts on X, is that Giannis’s offensive game lacks versatility. Users of social media have long argued that Giannis is “one-dimensional offensively, can’t create shots,” which diminishes his MVP candidacy. Similarly they have noted that Giannis’s inability to excel as an off-ball player, shooter, or reliable post-up scorer makes him “hard to build around.” These sentiments likely resonate with some players who value well-rounded offensive skill sets.

Giannis’s game is built on his unparalleled athleticism and ability to attack the rim. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on 56.7% field goal shooting, numbers that mirror his career norms. However, his reliance on driving to the basket—often in transition or against set defenses—can be predictable. His three-point shooting remains a weak point (28.7% on 1.4 attempts per game in 2024-25), and his free-throw shooting (61.8%) is a liability in crunch time. As many have pointed out, Giannis’s “lack of a half-court offence and f/t shooting puts him down” in high-stakes situations, where players like Jokić and SGA shine with their playmaking and shooting.

2. Playoff Shortcomings and Team Context

Another factor is Giannis’s postseason record. While he led the Bucks to a championship in 2021, his playoff performances have been inconsistent since. In 2024, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round by a depleted Pacers team, with Giannis sidelined by injury. The Athletic noted that some players might believe Tyrese Haliburton received undue credit for that run, given Giannis’s absence, but the Bucks’ early exit didn’t help Giannis’s case either. The Bucks’ 2024-25 season, marred by Damian Lillard’s injury and a mid-tier 4-5 seed projection, further dims Giannis’s shine compared to SGA’s 68-win Thunder or Jokić’s 50-win Nuggets.

Players may also perceive Giannis’s success as partly dependent on team context. The Bucks’ 2021 title run featured a strong supporting cast, including Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, and a favorable playoff path (e.g., facing an injured Nets team). In contrast, Jokić’s ability to elevate a less talented Nuggets roster or SGA’s two-way dominance on a young Thunder team may resonate more with peers who value individual impact.

3. Perceived Overhype and Media Narrative

The “most overrated” label, however small, suggests some players feel Giannis’s media-driven narrative outstrips his on-court impact. Giannis has been a darling of the NBA media, often hailed as the league’s best player due to his freakish athleticism and heartwarming backstory. In 2023, The Athletic’s poll named him the top player to build around, with 52.4% of the vote, far ahead of Jokić (8.7%). Yet, by 2024, his share in that category plummeted to 2.2%, signaling a shift in perception.

As one player remarked in the 2023 poll, “People kind of get bored of what he does.” The constant hype around his dominance may lead some players to scrutinise his flaws more harshly, especially when compared to Jokić’s historic triple-double season or SGA’s scoring efficiency (32.7 PPG on 52% FG in 2024-25).

4. Crunch-Time Struggles

Giannis’s limitations in late-game situations are a frequent talking point. His reluctance to handle the ball in clutch moments—often deferring to teammates like Lillard or Middleton—stands in contrast to players like SGA, who thrives under pressure. Many claim that Giannis is “scared of the ball” in crunch time, reflect a perception that he lacks the killer instinct of other superstars. His inability to consistently close games offensively has obviously cost him respect among peers. They fear no deer and no Giannis either.

Why the Disconnect Persists

The gap between Giannis’s official accolades and peer perception likely boils down to a mix of stylistic biases and narrative fatigue. NBA players, who face Giannis firsthand, may focus on his exploitable weaknesses—poor shooting, predictable drives, and clutch-time deference—over his overwhelming strengths. Meanwhile, media voters, who weigh stats and team success, see Giannis as a consistent top-tier candidate. The Athletic’s 2023 poll hinted at this divide, with one player noting that Giannis’s “greatness is overlooked because he does it every year,” yet others clearly prioritise flashier or more versatile skill sets.

Social media amplifies these critiques. Posts reflect a sentiment that Giannis’s game hasn’t evolved significantly since his MVP years. His lack of a reliable jumper or refined half-court offence contrasts with the modern NBA’s emphasis on perimeter creation, making him seem less “complete” than Jokić or SGA. Additionally, the anonymous nature of The Athletic’s poll allows players to express unfiltered opinions, which may include rivalries, grudges, or envy of Giannis’s spotlight.

A Polarizing Superstar – probably past his prime

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 1.9% MVP vote in the 2025 player poll is a stark reminder that even the NBA’s biggest stars face skepticism from their peers. While his athletic dominance, two-way impact, and championship pedigree are undeniable, critiques about his one-dimensional offence, playoff inconsistencies, and crunch-time struggles resonate with some players. These perceptions, fuelled by media hype and social media narratives, paint Giannis as a polarising figure—celebrated by fans and analysts but scrutinised by those who share the court with him and probably know best.

Ultimately, Giannis’s legacy will depend on how he addresses these critiques. Developing a reliable jumper or taking command in clutch moments could silence doubters and restore his standing among peers. For now, though, the “Greek Freak” remains a paradox: a once-in-a-generation talent whose greatness is probably overstated.

Sources:

• The Athletic’s 2025 Anonymous Player Poll
• The Ringer’s 2024-25 NBA Awards Analysis
• Posts on X reflecting player sentiment