NBA MVP candidate's bold declaration: 'Nobody can stop me'

If you haven’t heard of Giannis Antetokounmpo by now, you will have by the end of the season.

The Bucks superstar sent a warning shot across the bows of the league after he paced the Bucks to a 106-97 win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

After dropping a 33 point, 19 rebound, 11 assist triple-double, the Greek Freak used his post-game media availability to make his case for MVP.

“I’m not trying to sound arrogant or cocky, because that’s not who I am, but I don’t think there’s one guy that can stop me,” Antetokounmpo said.

The 24-year-old’s comments came after his matchup with Pacers forward Thaddeus Young, who some NBA pundits believed had done a good job of curtailing the Bucks star’s influence in previous match-ups.

“Oh come on man,” he said.

“Thaddeus Young is a great guy, first of all. Amazing player, amazing teammate, plays hard.

“It’s got to be a whole team effort.

“They’ve got to load, they’ve got to double-team me. When I get to the paint, three guys swarm at me. That’s the only way.

“They’ve got to all work together to stop me from making plays – not getting points, from making plays. But he’s a great defensive guy.”

While many NBA pundits believe reigning MVP, Houston’s James Harden, is leading the race, others aren’t so sure.

Two-time NBA champion Chris Bosh said Antetokounmpo was the clubhouse leader, adding that ‘nobody is talking about him’.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have compiled the best record in the NBA as the league heads in to the All Star Break.

Milwaukee’s 43-14 record is the highest mark in the league, just above Eastern Conference rivals Toronto, who are at 43-16.

The defending champion Golden State Warriors top the Western Conference at 41-16, ahead of the 39-18 Denver Nuggets.

The NBA All-Star Game kicks off on Monday February 18.