It’s been an odd NBA season, which is really saying something considering last years’ NBA season finished in a bubble in Orlando, Florida.
After only 72 regular season games, with near-empty arenas lacking their usual energy, the NBA finds itself nearing the end of the regular season, which means that regular season awards are on the table.
Below are five players who deserve to be in the MVP conversation.
5. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Let’s keep this short — Paul has led a perpetually dysfunctional Suns organization to the second best record in the Western Conference and a legitimate shot at an NBA Finals appearance.
There isn’t a player in the league that controls the flow of the game like Paul, and he’s doing it in his 16th season. In 31.5 minutes per game, Paul is averaging 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He’s in the running for the greatest point guard of all-time, and very much deserving of being in the 2020-2021 MVP conversation.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Voter fatigue is a real thing, folks. Remember, not even Michael Jordan could three-peat as MVP in the 90’s, so there was never a chance Antetokounmpo would.
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Somehow, Giannis has put up another year of eye-popping numbers while not getting much attention regarding another MVP. In 33.0 minutes per game, Antetokounmpo has averaged 28.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, all while being a defensive force.
The Bucks are the third seed in the Eastern Conference and may finally have enough to get to an NBA Finals. Whatever happens in the playoffs, Antetokounmpo has been incredible once again. We just have to mix up the MVP race every few years.
3. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
The Most Valuable Player award has always caused arguments as to what the award actually means. Is it the best player in the game? Or, is it the player that means the most to his team?
Well, how about the guy that’s a “can’t miss” player every single night and whose team would be lost without him?
This is where Curry falls in.
Curry — no longer aided by Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson — and coming off a season in which he only played in five games, is back. No single player has meant more to his team. In games that Curry has played this season, the Warriors are 36-26, and in games that Curry has missed, the Warriors are 1-7. Basically, with Curry, Golden State is a playoff contender, without Curry they’re battling the bottom-feeders for the first overall pick in the draft.
In 62 games, Curry leads the league with 31.8 points per game while shooting 42.1% from the three-point line. What’s most impressive is how he’s able to even get his shots off. Without another legitimate scorer for defenses to focus on, Curry is working harder than ever to get open. And yet, he’s still managed to score 40 points or more 10 times this season, and has made 10 or more three-pointers in a game seven times.
There was some Curry bashing to start the season. Oh, how foolish you all look.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
It’s time to give credit where credit is due. We’ve long ragged on Embiid for not being in tip-top shape and for his inability to stay on the court due to injuries. TNT’s Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have voiced their disappointment in the past for his inability to dominate on a nightly basis.
This season, he’s shown out, and he’ll be rewarded in the MVP voting.
In 31.3 minutes per game, Embiid is averaging 28.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game on 51.5% shooting from the field. Only Steph Curry and Bradley Beal are averaging more points per game this season. He’s been the games most dominant two-way player while leading the Sixers to second in defensive rating (107.0). Not to mention he’s led his Sixers to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Embiid’s season gives us hope that he can assume the title we so want him to have as the league’s most consistently dominant big man. He’s no longer settling for as many jumpers, and he’s been downright unstoppable at times.
Joel Embiid on his MVP candidacy:
“As far as MVP, I’ve been dominant all season. When I get the ball, it’s either a foul or a bucket. I feel like I’m right there.” pic.twitter.com/a7sFWLJDRH
— Sergen (@sergenkumas) April 15, 2021
But it’s hard to overlook the amount of games he’s missed this season. Embiid has played in 50 of the Sixers 70 games, missing 10 consecutive games in the middle of the season due to a scary knee injury on March 12. Embiid won’t be the 2020-2021 MVP, but he’s deserving of our praise.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
In a season marred with injuries, players taking time off for personal reasons, and just plain needing a day off, one player has stood out from the rest — Nikola Jokic.
The 2020-2021 season has been unlike any other in that the condensed schedule has taken a toll on all players. It’s understandable that players have missed games, but not Jokic. He’s the only All-Star to play in every game this season, and that has to count for something.
In 34.9 minutes per game, Jokic is averaging 26.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game on 56.6% shooting from the field. He’s putting up these numbers while only attempting 18.1 shots per game and orchestrating an offense that’s sixth in offensive rating (116.4).
He’s led the Denver Nuggets to a top-four seed in the Western Conference, and has done so without the help of his sidekick Jamal Murray since early April. Jokic is one of the NBA’s best rebounders, individual scorers and potentially the league’s best playmaker. His handling of the Nuggets offense has been nothing short of magical this season. Unfortunately, the loss of Murray will most likely dash his hopes of taking the Nuggets to an NBA Finals berth, but the MVP is a regular season award, and Jokic has had the best regular season of anyone in the NBA.
Heck, even Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash thinks Jokic has the award in the bag.
Steve Nash, ahead of tonight’s game against the Nuggets: “Clearly, Jokic is the MVP this year…”
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 9, 2021
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.