Jokic is back on top of the MVP ladder and is looking ready to win his fourth MVP trophy in the past five years.
However, the reigning MVP has some good competition on his heels, even with Joel Embiid seemingly out of the picture.
Season stats for the top five at the time of writing:
- Nikola Jokic – 32.3 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 10.2 APG
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 32.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 6 APG
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 30.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.3 APG
- Jayson Tatum – 28.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 5.7 APG
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 24.9 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.2 APG
Nikola Jokic // Denver Nuggets
The Joker is an MVP prospect who is vital to his team like no other; It’s feast or famine for the Nuggets when Jokic is on or off the court. He is the only player in the league who’s in the top five in scoring, rebounds, and assists.
In December’s final stretch, Jokic is currently averaging double digits, delivering legendary performances on back-to-back nights. He recently scored a career-high 56 in a loss to Washington and followed it up with 48 points in a victory over the Hawks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo // Milwaukee Bucks
The Greek Freak is devastating when running downhill and charging the rim. He’s delivered several MVP-like performances, which were crucial in triggering a reversal for the Bucks after their slow start to the league. Fresh off winning the Emirates NBA Cup and bagging the Cup MVP award, Antetokounmpo is a deserving player who can make an argument for No. 1.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander // Oklahoma City Thunder
SGA showed out in probably the biggest game of the season when he sealed OKC’s ticket to Vegas with his five 3-pointers vs. the Mavericks.
He rose to the occasion as a true MVP does and, so far, has kept his team in the top ranks of the Western Conference for most of the season. Given his current stats, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making a good case for the MVP title.
Jayson Tatum // Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum has been steady in the top five of the MVP ladder, rising to No. 2 at one point. Occasional dips in performance see him rank 4th on the MVP ladder right now, but even when he’s not efficiently getting the ball through the net, he contributes to the team in other ways. He has a nearly double-digit rebound average and is the leader in assists and steals for the Celtics.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
The Knicks’ recent win against the Raptors is a perfect example of how Towns is the go-to guy in big moments. He’s averaging a career-high in rebounds and is shooting 44% from the deep.
Towns is low on the assist rankings, but his overall performance and the fact that he’s been a difference maker so far for the Knicks, who are 16-10 and third in the Eastern Conference.
Player Props: Betting on the MVP
Winconparator is the leading site for odds comparison if you’re looking for who’s offering the best MVP odds or other player props. The MVP ladder is constantly changing, but for a few weeks now, the top five have been rock solid, so it’s safe to say we have the next MVP among these established players.
Jokic is the clear favorite now, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander keeping pressure on him, it’s going to be an interesting race to watch as the rest of the season unfolds.
Being an MVP is all about how much value a player adds to the game. Even though there are no stipulated metrics guiding the voting process, the award winners are usually players who have led a dominant team campaign.
So, contenders in MVP battles usually indicate the best teams in the league.
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