With only a handful of video games left within the season, the 2024 NBA MVP race appears all however over. Nonetheless, this has been an thrilling marketing campaign, and the playoff-seeding race is kind of tight, particularly within the Western Convention, so there may nonetheless be a little bit of a shock in retailer for us.
As soon as once more, Nikola Jokic sits on the prime of NBA MVP contenders, and whereas oddsmakers give him round a 90% likelihood of taking the award house, there’s loads of expertise within the league, and a number of gamers may make a run for his cash. With that in thoughts, we’ll speak about every single one of many potential candidates.
5. Jayson Tatum
The Boston Celtics have been one of the best crew within the league by a landslide, so it’s odd to see that Jayson Tatum was by no means thought-about a frontrunner for this award. Possibly, the narrative about his playoff shortcomings has taken an enormous toll on his possibilities, though folks ought to solely give attention to what he’s accomplished this season.
Tatum has been extra mature and environment friendly this season, realizing that he doesn’t must do the whole lot for his crew to win. He’s averaging 27.3 factors, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per recreation, which apparently aren’t MVP-worthy numbers anymore.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
It’s been some time since Giannis Antetokounmpo was thought-about to be one of the best participant on Earth, however he’s nonetheless proper close to the highest. The Greek Freak is a dominant presence on each ends of the ground, and he’s been the principle determine behind the Milwaukee Bucks’ late-season turnaround.
All through the course of the season, he’s posted averages of 30.6 factors, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per recreation, so his numbers didn’t precisely go down with Damian Lillard on the court docket. Even so, it looks like folks aren’t impressed with what he does anymore.
3. Luka Doncic
Speaking about getting used to greatness, it looks like folks have normalized the video game-caliber numbers Luka Doncic places up on a nightly foundation. As of now, the previous Actual Madrid star sits close to the highest of the MVP ladder with averages of 33.9 factors, 9.1 rebounds, and 9.8 dimes per contest.
The final word level ahead, Doncic can also be placing some effort into protection for a change. The Dallas Mavericks have been one of many hottest groups within the league for the reason that All-Star break, and whereas he may not be the MVP of the season, Doncic may carry this crew to the largest stage within the playoffs.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
It’s loopy to assume that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder preventing for the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention for many of the season, but he would possibly find yourself dropping the MVP award. This crew is much forward of schedule, and plenty of that has needed to do along with his stellar play on each ends of the ground.
The Canadian guard has posted Michael Jordan-like numbers this season. He’s averaging 30.4 factors, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per recreation. The Thunder would possibly nonetheless be one other piece away from being an NBA championship contender, however Shai is blossoming proper earlier than our very eyes.
1. Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic ought to already be thought-about one of many greatest centers in NBA history, and he’s nowhere near being accomplished. He’s the frontrunner to take the award house once more this season, and he may find yourself with the most NBA MVPs won if he retains this tempo up, as he would have gained three of their final 4.
The Joker is probably the most spectacular participant in basketball proper now. He’s not a defensive legal responsibility, and the Nuggets ought to be thought-about the crew to beat till confirmed in any other case. Proper now, he’s thriving with averages of 26.1 factors, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per recreation.
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