NBA MVP Rankings: Top 5 Contenders at the Start of the New Year
As the NBA season progresses, the MVP race heats up with top contenders emerging for the prestigious award
NBA, MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, Oklahoma City, USA
Oklahoma City: Happy New Year! We’re almost halfway through the NBA season, and wow, things have shifted since we last looked at the MVP race.
Right now, I see three main players in the running: Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s aiming for his first MVP. The rest? They’re probably just fighting for fourth or fifth unless something big happens soon.
Speaking of big changes, Luka Dončić got hurt on Christmas, which means he’s out of the MVP race. He won’t hit the 65-game mark needed for consideration, and with him missing 11 games already, it’s looking like he’ll be out until late February or March.
So, let’s dive into the current MVP favorites, starting with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: This guy is on fire! Oklahoma City is on track for 69 wins, even with some key players missing. Gilgeous-Alexander is the main reason for their success, dominating both offense and defense. When he’s on the court, they crush opponents by 16.7 points per 100 possessions. Without him? They’re just average.
Last season, he was second in MVP voting, and he’s even better this year. He’s shooting more threes and making them at a higher rate. But what really sets him apart is his defense. He’s among the top in steals and blocks for guards, making those hustle plays that coaches love. He’s not just a scorer; he’s a defensive powerhouse too.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: After winning the NBA Cup, the Bucks stumbled a bit, with Giannis missing some games due to illness. But when he returned, he flipped the switch and took control, leading his team to victory. He’s scoring, rebounding, and playmaking like a champ, and his defense is top-notch. Don’t count him out; he could easily climb back to the top of the MVP race.
3. Nikola Jokić, Nuggets: Jokić is still the best offensive player in the league. He’s got three MVPs under his belt, and this season might be his best yet. But he’s carrying a heavier load with injuries to teammates. If he can step up his defense while keeping the offense rolling, he could snag another MVP, but it’s a tight race.
4. Jayson Tatum, Celtics: Tatum is crucial for Boston’s success. He’s a solid defender and a great rebounder, but he doesn’t need to score 30 points every night because the Celtics have a deep roster. That might hurt his MVP chances, but he’s still a key player for the team.
5. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: It might seem early to mention Wembanyama in the MVP talks, but his numbers are impressive. He’s a game-changer on defense and has been scoring like crazy lately. If he keeps this up, he’ll be a regular in MVP conversations.
As we look at the MVP landscape, it’s clear there’s a lot of talent out there. With Luka out, the race is wide open, and it’ll be exciting to see how it unfolds as the season progresses.