Giannis brushes off MVP talk, but wants to be NBA's best player

The Milwaukee Bucks boast the NBA's best record at 29-11 while being led by star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who ranks second only to New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis in player efficiency rating.

If Antetokounmpo isn't the front-runner in the MVP conversation, he's on a very condensed shortlist for the top regular-season honor.

"I definitely think it's our belief inside this locker room, and a lot just around the league, that we have the best player in the league right here," Bucks big man Brook Lopez said of Antetokounmpo after Wednesday's road win over the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "He does it in so many ways. He makes so many of his players better. He's all over the court constantly. It's so impressive to watch every night."

Antetokounmpo was instrumental in the 116-109 victory, tallying 27 points, a career-high 21 rebounds, and five assists in 36:32 of playing time.

Still, the 24-year-old wouldn't stump for his own MVP case when told about Lopez's comments.

"To be honest with you, all I care about right now is getting better, helping my team win," Antetokounmpo said. "And (becoming the league's best player is) going to take care of itself. I know that one day it might happen. I don't know if I'm there yet, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to get there, because that's what I want to be."