The Milwaukee Bucks are listing superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as questionable to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

Giannis didn't play on Tuesday versus the Washington Wizards because of soreness in his shoulder. The reigning MVP told Bucks reporters he expects to play against the Nuggets:

The Bucks have the best record in the NBA. They are 41-6.

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In 43 games this season for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.0 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor and 60.6 percent from the free-throw line.

With the Bucks holding the best record in the league again, Antetokounmpo has a really good shot of winning his second straight MVP award. It’s not a stretch to say he’s going to dedicate the rest of the season to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, which will make it all the more fitting if he’s able to end it with his first career championship.

Antetokounmpo and Bryant were very close off the court. Giannis worked out with Bryant during the summer of 2018. Whatever tips Kobe gave Giannis obviously worked, as Antetokounmpo won the 2019 MVP award and guided the Bucks to the best record in the NBA. The Bucks star thanked Bryant in his speech accepting the award, which Bryant himself won in 2008.

Like Bryant was, Giannis is a global icon. While he was at the free-throw line in Paris, The Greek Freak got “MVP” chants.

Giannis told reporters early this week Kobe was the reason he started playing basketball as a young kid in Greece. Bryant's death has affected seemingly every player in the NBA.