The NBA MVP race has reached a fever pitch this season with multiple viable candidates in the equation. Joel Embiid crashed out of the race after his injury earlier this year thanks to the newly implemented 65-game rule.
Despite Joel Embiid’s absence, the NBA MVP award still has legitimate bidders vying for the end-of-season accolade. With the NBA playoff race at its conclusive end, the respective candidates are sure to up their game and separate themselves from the pretenders.
Full NBA MVP updated contenders list explained
As of today, the updated NBA MVP contenders list has Nikola Jokic at the top. He is closely followed by OKC’s star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Bucks’ vocal leader Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won the award two times back-to-back since 2019. The Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and the Mavs maverick Luka Doncic occupy the 4th and 5th spots.
The rest of the top 10 is filled with Domantas Sabonis of the Kings, Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers, the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant from the Suns, and Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell. The award winner will be decided by a panel of selected sportswriters and broadcasters from the USA and Canada.
Why Nikola Jokic likely to win 2023-24 NBA MVP?
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are on a roll in the Western Conference, with OKC being the only team ahead of them by a game. The 2023 NBA Finals MVP can earn his 3rd NBA MVP award this season, making it 3 in total, which will tie him with Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, and Larry Bird. But why is he an out-and-out candidate for the NBA MVP award?
Nikola Jokic has been on a tear this season, maintaining his extremely high standards. He has been averaging 26 points per game with a 58.3 field goal percentage, 12.2 rebounds, and 9.2 assists. The Joker is not only spearheading the Nuggets, but he is also the creator-in-chief of Michael Malone’s men.
While there might be a strong case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with his unstoppable Thunder, he does not bring what Jokic brings to the table. The OKC guard does not have the lethal touch Jokic possesses with his passing that can put any defence in the league in utter disarray.
Even LeBron James had to admit the fact, stating, “their (Nuggets) biggest threat can do everything, and that’s Joker. That’s what makes it very challenging.”
LeBron even had a simple answer to the question if there was any way to stop Jokic and that is a firm “No.” LeBron is not the only NBA legend voicing in favor of Jokic. Former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal also provided his take on the Serbian’s excellence.
Giannis Antentokounmpo is the closest to Nikola Jokic counting all the aspects of scoring, passing, defending but his MVP bid can be hurt by the Bucks’ inconsistency and the lack of a supporting cast apart from Damian Lillard.
The NBA MVP case made by many including Draymond Green for Jayson Tatum was also blown to bits when Tatum fell flat after Nuggets brushed the Celtics aside on March 7. Luka Doncic is also having himself a season to remember but a lot depends on where the Mavs finish once the playoff race concludes.
After rewriting the history books in the last three years, only time will tell if the Serbian can land another NBA MVP award. But, as far as the trend of dominance shown by the Nuggets and Jokic, particularly in those games against the top seeds, a checkered flag can be waved in the race for the NBA MVP already.
