Throughout the 2020-21 NBA season, we have seen many players rise and fall throughout the MVP ladder. One of the most intriguing races we have seen in recent history. Today, I’m here to talk to you about the candidates, their season accomplishments, and where they rank in the final top 5. (Stick to the end to see the full list!) Players 6-10
Rudy Gobert
James Harden
Julius Randle
Damian Lillard
Chris Paul
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Coming off of back to back MVP’s, it will be unlikely for Giannis to receive the award. However, he is still a top candidate, really showing how valuable he really is for his team. Giannis is currently averaging 28 and 11 on about 56% shooting, while so far leading his team to a top 3 seed in his conference. If he wasn’t coming off of back to back MVP’s, then maybe he would be higher on the list but for now, he ranks where he’s at.
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic has been playing out of his mind this season, with averages of about 28, 8 and 9 on almost 50% shooting from the field and about 35% from 3. Luka has been able to carry the injury fighting Mavericks throughout the entire season, and they are currently fighting for a playoff spot (not in the play-in) with the Lakers and the Blazers, led by Lebron and Damian Lillard. The fact that he is not only competing with these guys, but currently WINNING, being placed at the 5 seed currently, Luka Doncic definitely deserves a spot in the top 5 for the NBA MVP.
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic is having a historic offensive season by a center in all of NBA history, and really cemented himself as a top 2, maybe even the best center in the league. He has led the nuggets to the 4 seed, ahead of teams like the Mavericks, Lakers, and Blazers, while averaging about 26, 11, and 8.5 assists per game. He also shoots almost 57% from the field, and 40% from 3, as a CENTER. Yeah that’s right. As a CENTER. After the injury of the Nuggets second best player Jamal Murray, he stepped up and the Nuggets did not get worse at ALL. in fact, after the injury, they went 9-1 in their first 10 without Murray. All this and you add the fact that he’s not a liability on defence anymore, I think he definitely deserves his spot in the top 5 on the MVP ladder.
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid being in the top 5 still after all the injuries he’s battled all season, really just proves how great this man is. leading his team to the number one seed in the east, ahead of teams like the Bucks and the Nets, while putting up about 29, 11, and 1.5 blocks per game, Joel Embiids career year is making it a hard choice on who’s the best center in the league. I think before this season, the majority of people had Jokic, but now, some people may think differently. Hats off to Joel Embiid for the MVP caliber season he’s having this year.
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is unreal. I mean is this guy real? He’s averaging about 32ppg 5.5 rebounds and 6 assists on less than 2 percent away from 50 40 90 shooting splits, (48.7% from the field) and it’s possible by this time next year, he will have made the most threes in nba history. Unfortunate that Klay is injured, because the Warriors are currently fighting to keep their play-in spot, and Curry is ultimately the only reason they aren’t the worst team in the league. And if you ask me, that’s MVP level basketball.
If you’ve read this far, I’m guessing you want to see the final list. well here it is:
10: Rudy Gobert
9: Damian Lillard
8: James Harden
7: Julius Randle
6: Chris Paul
5: Stephen Curry
4: Giannis Antetokounmpo
3: Luka Doncic
2: Joel Embiid
And my pick for NBA MVP this season goes to...
1: Nikola Jokic
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