The NBA has reached the quarter poll of the season and now we have a clearer picture of who has stayed at the top of the game and who has risen to an NFL Level.
The In-Season Tournament gave us a little glimpse of some players and teams that may make a leap, which allows for the players to make a push for some MVP consideration. However, the NBA is the NBA and the players with a real chance to win it are the usual suspects.
1-Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Stats: 28.6 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 9.8 apg
The two-time MVP should be three in a row after missing out last year to Joel Embiid, who has been his dominant self this season. He is the best offensive player in the game. He is the sun of the Nuggets solar system. He controls the entire game with his pacing and passing. He is nearly averaging a triple-double, which doesn’t matter as much as it did, but is still amazing.
2-Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Stats: 33.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 6.6 apg
After missing a game due to illness, he came back against the horrendous Wizards and put up a 50 spot. He is one of four players who has had a 50-point game. He has a stretch of scoring 30 or more for the last 6 games.
Nikola Jokic Season stats: 30.0 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 8.4 apg
Joel Embiid Season stats: 31.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 5.8 apg
Shai Gilgeous Season stats: 28.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 6.0 apg
3-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Stats: 30.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.3 apg
SGA is a superstar. He has officially taken that step this season while flirting with it for the last few years. The Thunder have improved enough as a team that he has a great chance to win this award if that continues. He has improved defensively as well. He has back-to-back games with 5 or more steals. A large game looming against the Warriors.
4-Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Stats: 31.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 8.6 apg
Another outrageous season so far for Luka. He is as good of an offensive player as the NBA has seen in a long time. He turns the ball over too much, but when you have it as much as he does, it happens. Losing to SGA last time out knocks him down to 4.
Luka Doncic clutch 3-point shooting
Season | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | Lg. avg. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | 12 | 40 | 30.0% | 31.5% |
2019-20 | 7 | 41 | 17.1% | 32.6% |
2020-21 | 6 | 23 | 26.1% | 33.2% |
2021-22 | 6 | 26 | 23.1% | 30.9% |
2022-23 | 7 | 36 | 19.4% | 31.8% |
2023-24 | 5 | 7 | 71.4% | 30.8% |
TOTAL | 43 | 173 | 24.9% | 31.9% |
5- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Stats: 30.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 5.0 apg
Another season of Giannis being unstoppable. This is expected from him. For him to win this award again he has to be otherworldly. LeBron’s levels of success are needed for him to win these anymore.
Other in the Hunt: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers; Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics; Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers; Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns.
MAJ du NBA MVP Ladder :
1️⃣ Joel Embiid
2️⃣ Nikola Jokic
3️⃣ 💙 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 🧡
4️⃣ Luka Doncic
5️⃣ Giannis Antetokounmpo
6️⃣ Tyrese Haliburton
7️⃣ Jayson Tatum
8️⃣ Kevin Durant
9️⃣ LeBron James
🔟 Devin Booker pic.twitter.com/wMT2FS6mLv— OKC Thunder⚡️🇫🇷/ All-NBA🏀🇺🇲 (@OkcThunder93150) December 8, 2023
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| Title: NBA MVP Ladder
| Author: Matt Catton
| Date: December 13th, 2023