Ever wanted to see a battle between superstars nicknamed 'The Greek Freak' and 'The Beard'?
Well, that's exactly what is transpiring in the NBA as Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden are involved in a two-way tussle for the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.
Both players are in contention to win the prestigious Maurice Podoloff Trophy, which is decided by a panel of sportswriters, after outstanding seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets respectively.
James Harden (left) and Giannis Antetokounmpo are battling it out to be named the NBA's MVP
Harden, pictured with his mother Monja Willis, was named the league's MVP last season
JAMES HARDEN
REBOUNDS: 6.6
ASSISTS: 7.5
STEALS: 2
BLOCKS: 0.7
POINTS: 36.1
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
REBOUNDS: 12.5
ASSISTS: 5.9
STEALS: 1.3
BLOCKS: 1.5
POINTS: 27.7
Paul George, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is the other name on the three-man shortlist but he is unlikely to trouble both Giannis and Harden as his franchise crashed out of the Playoffs at the first hurdle.
Harden, who is hoping to be named the league's MVP in consecutive campaigns on Monday, averaged 36.1 points per game during the course of the regular season – making him the NBA's most deadly scorer.
George (28 points) and Giannis (27.7 points) were second and third but were some way behind Harden when it came to scoring on a nightly basis throughout the regular season.
Harden's average compared to his rivals put more emphasis on what was an incredible feat. He produced the goods during a tough 82-game season (before having to go again in the Playoffs) with his scoring stats on the rise despite the fact he turns 30 in August.
His scoring average during the regular season has only been beaten by three players in the NBA's history – Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Not bad company to be in.
Jordan averaged 37.1 for the Bulls in the 1986-87 season, Baylor averaged 38.3 in 1961-62 while Chamberlain beat Harden's average in five consecutive seasons – including 50.4 for the Philadelphia Warriors in 61-62.
The NBA is of course now a much different ball game with many of Chamberlain's records deemed unbreakable as the league has tightened up defensively and players are rotated more often.
Jordan, who many say is the greatest player to ever grace the court, beat Harden's season average just once during his trophy-laden career.
