The National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season is well underway, and the race for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is heating up. Going by current news surrounding nominations, superstars like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are leading the charge, so the battle for MVP is one of the most absorbing in recent memory. The top five have changed, as expected, since the beginning of the season. In the past, we have seen different players take the crown multiple times, including Lebron James and Kevin Durant, and now it’s time for new blood in the MVP race. As you read, we’ll review some of your favourites vying for the 2022-2023 NBA MVP.
Plenty of Changes in the top 5
Looking at the history of NBA MVP award winners, not all were in the top five at the start of each season. As the NBA season progresses, new players often enter the MVP race for different reasons. Players who may have flown under the radar at the start of the year can suddenly burst onto the scene with a series of dominant performances by weighing their numbers mid-season and carrying their teams onto their shoulders. Their sudden emergence as a key player can quickly put them in the MVP conversation. Consequently, it’s not out of place to see plenty of changes in the top 5.
Conversely, some players who were expected to be in the MVP race may have missed a significant chunk of the season due to injury. If these players return to the court and perform at an elite level, they can re-enter the MVP race and make a strong case for the award.
Undoubtedly, team success also plays an essential role in the MVP battle. A typical example is how the Golden State Warriors form influenced Steph Curry’s ups and downs on the MVP list. The team’s negative out-of-home record may hurt Steph’s MVP hopes.
Whether it’s a breakout performance, injury recovery, team success, or increased statistics, the MVP race is always fluid, and new players can emerge as serious contenders at any time.
European players dominated at the previous MVP Ladder
Since 2019, European players have consistently shown the world how valuable they can be. Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2019 and 2020 and Nikola Jokic in 2021 and 2022 dominated the previous MVP Awards and put Europe in the spotlight. A conversation about the rise of European basketball has arisen. Plenty of NBA teams scouted players around Eupore to find the ideal candidate for their roster’s fill.
Nowadays, youngsters like Luka Doncic, Paolo Bancero, and Victor Wembanyama are European players who have emerged as top talents in the league. Many analysts deem that these three athletes will gather all eyes on them within the next few years. All of these things considered, you could feel motivated to sign-up for an operator, get your enhanced welcome bonus offered by Bookmakers.bet, and place a bet that the following MVP players may also be European.
8 Favorites competing for the MVP Award
The 2022–2023 NBA season is no different from its predecessors, with many players performing outstandingly and earning a spot as MVP candidates. Here, we’ll look closely at some of the top nominees for this year’s award:
Nikola Jokic: There are, without a doubt, more rapid players. However, only some players can handle the offence, like Jokic, a prolific scorer, and a gifted passer can run the offence. Some people may not be able to see the passing lanes that he can.
Jokic won the MVP award twice in his career and had MVP seasons in which he averaged 26.7 points on 57.5% shooting from the field (36.0% from deep), 8.1 assists, and 12.3% rebounds in a game.
And Jokic is a slick defender as well. With 211 total deflections and 109 steals in 2021–22, he placed ninth and tenth, respectively, in the NBA, and Jokic’s impact on the team is unprecedented. For those reasons, he is considered the MVP winner favourite.
Luka Doncic: The Dallas Mavericks’ young star has continued to develop into one of the league’s best players. Doncic leads the Mavericks in scoring, assists, and rebounds and has been instrumental in leading his team to a top-four seed. With his unique blend of size, skill, and vision, Doncic has become a fascinating player in the league and, maybe, an MVP Award holder.
Jayson Tatum: The Boston Celtics forward has stepped up his game this season, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier players. Tatum is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and assists and has been the driving force in keeping the Celtics among the top teams. With his versatility and athleticism, Tatum has become a matchup nightmare for opponents.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: The ex-MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has again been dominant for the Milwaukee Bucks. The “Greek Freak” is among the scoring leaders (32,3 points per game) and in the top five rebounders and blockers. Giannis has become one of the best players in the NBA because he has a unique mix of size, athleticism, and skill. His domination at the rim can’t get compared, so he is considered a remarkable candidate for the MVP battle.
Joel Embiid: The Philadelphia 76ers centre has been a dominant force in the paint this season. He leads the league in double-doubles and is currently the top scorer in the NBA. With his size and skill, Embiid has become one of the toughest players to defend in the league. An emerging MVP Award winner that anyone can write off.
Kevin Durant: The Brooklyn Nets forward has returned to MVP form after a few seasons away from the spotlight. Durant leads the league in scoring and has been instrumental in leading the Nets to the top. At the beginning of the 2022–23 season, he needed 1,884 points to pass Moses Malone and enter the top 10, and here he is on our list.
Steph Curry: The earlier altercation between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole doesn’t seem to have watered-down the Golden State Warriors guard, as Steph Curry continues to be one of the most electrifying players in the league. Curry leads the league in three-pointers made and is in the top ten scoring board. With his shooting ability and clutch gene, the longest-serving Warrior scored 33 points in the season’s first game and earned a spot as an MVP nominee.
Ja Morant: The NBA Awards 2022 Most Improved Player is the driving force behind one of the most competitive young teams in the NBA. He helped Memphis reach the conference semifinals in the previous season and proved that the city is on the upswing. Morant, who finished seventh in the MVP voting last season, has made it to the playoffs 14 times in his career. He is currently averaging 27.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.
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