As we quickly near the end of the NBA season, we get closer to award time. There is one award that stands above the rest, that all NBA players dream of getting, and this award is the MVP award. The last two MVP awards went to Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, due to voters’ fatigue and his team being underwhelming, there is a good chance that he won’t get it for the third year in a row. I think the MVP could be interesting this year with so many of the top players in the league missing time. Here are my top three candidates for the award.
3. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is having a legendary season. He is leading the league right now in points per game, currently averaging an insane 31 points along with about six rebounds and six assists while shooting 42 percent from three. After Klay Thompson tore his Achilles during the offseason, most people thought that the Golden State Warriors would miss the playoffs again. While they are currently the ninth seed, Curry has been nothing short of sensational. Since the all-star break, Curry is averaging 34 points per game, and has had multiple games with 10-plus threes. He broke Kobe’s record of consecutive 30-point games with 11 straight 30-point games, and has had three 50-point games this season. The only thing that is keeping him from being higher on my list is that the Warriors are not in the playoffs right now. I do believe that eventually they will make the playoffs. The other two people on my list have led their teams to top four seeds in their respective conference.
2. Nikola Jokic
Jokic is having an amazing season, averaging 26 points, 11 rebounds and almost nine assists, on 57 percent from the field and 41 percent from three. Jokic is not only one of the best passing big men in the league, but he is one of the best passers in the league period. He handles the ball like a point guard and could score from almost anywhere. Offensively, he has almost zero flaws in his game. You can’t double team him because he will always find the open man, and most of the time they will make that shot. As of late, Jokic has had to carry his team without Jamal Murray. On April 12, against the Warriors, he tore his ACL and will be out for the remainder of the season. Since then, Jokic has led the Denver Nuggets to a four-game win streak. To put that into perspective, Jamal is averaging 21 points and four assists per game, and Jokic has been able to stay afloat just because of how great his impact is. The other night, he had 47 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in a double overtime win against the Memphis Grizzlies, who have looked really nice this season.
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Joel Embiid
Most people I’ve talked to have Nikola Jokic at number one. However, Joel Embiid has been on a tear this season. He is averaging 30 points (third in the league) and 11 assists, with 50 percent from the field and almost 40 percent from three. He has led his team to a 39 and 19 record, which is first in the east ahead of the stacked Brooklyn Nets team. It has been a while since a big man like Joel Embiid has won MVP, but Embiid is special. Offensively, he can score in the post at will, shoot the mid-range over most players in the league, and even shoot the three-pointer at above league average. Not only is he dominating offensively, but what sets him apart from a candidate like Jokic is his dominance at the defensive end. He is also a candidate for defensive player of the year, and while I don’t think that he will win, his ability to block shots and switch on to perimeter players is extremely valuable to his team.