Giannis Antetokounmpo Wins PBWA Magic Johnson Award

Giannis Antetokounmpo for the win!

The Professional Basketball Writers Association, or PBWA, has chosen the Milwaukee Bucks star to win the 2022-2023 Magic Johnson Award.

The Magic Johnson Award was founded during the 2000-2001 season, and "honors the player who best combines excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity with the media and the public."

The PBWA consists of more than 200 writers and editors who regularly cover the NBA for a variety of media outlets. The members continue to regard Earvin "Magic" Johnson "as the person who best embodies the ideal for the award."

The Bucks star was chosen for this award because he's been a favorite in the media for his friendly and fun-loving personality and humble disposition. The 28-year-old often makes it a point to speak with the media and has even made extra time to speak with the traveling writers that cover the team often.

While Antetokounmpo has been honored with many awards in his 10 years in the NBA, this is his first time winning this award.

After a game 5 loss that led to the end of the Milwaukee Bucks season, Antetokounmpo was asked by a beat reporter if he felt the season was a failure. There's no doubt that he was speaking from the heart during his impromptu lesson.

"Do you get a promotion every year? In your job? No, right? So is every year you work is a failure, yes or no? No. Every year you work, you work towards something, towards a goal, which is to get a promotion, to be able to take care of your family, I don’t know, provide a house for them, or take care of your parents. You work towards a goal. It’s not a failure, it’s a step stool to success," he passionately.

"Michael Jordan played 15 years, won six championships. The other nine years were a failure? That is what you are telling me? I’m asking you a question, yes or no?"

Antetokounmpo continued to explain why there is no failure in sports.

"It’s the wrong question. There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days and bad days. Some days you are able to be successful, some days you are not," he said.

"Some days it’s your turn, some days it’s not your turn, and that’s what’s sports about, you don’t always win, some other people are going to win. And this year somebody else is going to win."

Antetokounmpo is making sweet moves on and off the court. He recently announced his newest venture as a stakeholder in Candy Funhouse.

"So, again, guys, you know how much I love candy, so there was no way I wouldn’t join Candy Funhouse to create something amazing. So I decided me and my family to join the team and become stakeholders in the company," he said. "This is exciting. I cannot wait for the future and the big things we will do together."

The Bucks star said "candy brings joy" and he's excited for the "journey" and "what the future holds" with this new business venture.