NBA: Breaking Down The 2022 MVP Ladder
The NBA 2022 season is winding down and it is almost time to cast MVP ballots. Unfortunately, I don’t have a vote BUT I have an opinion. It is hard to determine who should walk away with the Kia MVP award this season. So I’ve narrowed the playing field down to five potential candidates. Each superstar I’ve selected still has a game or two remaining on their schedule.
1. Center Nikola “The Joker“ Jokic, Denver Nuggets
If I did have a vote it would go to this big fella! Not only has he had a sensational individual season. He is doing it without the likes of his co-stars Jamal Murray & Michael Porter Jr. Currently the Denver Nuggets are the sixth seed in the loaded wild wild west. On the year Jokic is averaging a smooth 27 ppg, 14 rpg, & serving up 8 assists. Those staggering numbers along with the lack of help make it hard to vote against the big guy. Not to mention he’s the only player in league history to bucket 2k points, grab 1k rebounds, and dish out 500 assists in a full season.
I’m so infatuated with his ability to rebound and push the tempo at his size. Then be able to deliver on the money dimes in transition. Jokic captured his first MVP award last year and a repeat isn’t too far-fetched. In a flat-out MVP race this season in my eyes he is the front-runner to receive this prestigious award AGAIN. Mind you last player to win the award back to back was Steve Nash in 2005 & 2006. Although many will debate the late Kobe Bryant deserved it in 2006 I’m just saying.
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2. Center Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Joel has been very candid and outspoken about his thoughts regarding the award. As advertised he has been nothing short of spectacular this season. The Sixers are 50-31 on the year and number four in the East as of now. Embiid is averaging a league-leading 30.6 points per game. He is looking to secure his first-ever scoring title barely fending off LeBron James. Can I interest you in this?
Also, he is grabbing 11.7 rebounds per game, while dropping off 5.6 assists per night. So listen we understand he gets buckets but what isn’t often highlighted is his ability to defend. Joel is blocking 1.5 shots per game and also a steal. What doesn’t show up in the stat sheet is how he’s able to make offensive players alter their shots in the paint. Embiid doesn’t just want MVP hardware, he wants a ring this season. With the acquisition of James Harden mid-season to take some of the load off offensively. The Sixers have a legitimate chance at playing in June.
3. Point Guard Luka Doncic’, Dallas Mavericks
Now, this may be the biggest shock to you guys. Let me plead my case for The Don. The 23-year-old is borderline averaging a triple-double of 28.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg & 8.7 assists. He is 5th in the league when it comes to PER (player efficiency rating) 25.07. The biggest improvement in Luka’s game has been on the defensive side of the ball. Doncic’s defensive rating is at 105.7 which qualifies for top-10 in the league. The coaching change in Dallas to me has had a lot to do with Luka’s success guarding. It was glaringly obvious he and Rick Carlisle didn’t see eye to eye.
Another strong case you can make for the kid from Slovenia is that he is doing this with no co-star. The team dealt Kristrap Porzingis to the Wizards. In return, they received Spencer Dinwiddie who has been playing at a high level as of late. The Mavericks have been the hottest team in the league since the All-Star break (16-6). The Don has the Mavs sitting at the four spots in the Western Conference (50-31). Also, note they will host a playoff series for the first time since 2011, and we all know what happened.
4. Forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Let’s get this out of the way Giannis could win MVP every year. Check this out the “Greek Freak” is top 10 in points, rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage. I could ramble on and on about how gifted this guy is. The combination of raw power and quickness along with that tree limb length makes him unguardable. I remember a time when teams would just form a wall to keep Giannis out of the interior.
Those days are long gone he can now knock down those wide-open jumpers. For the season Antetokounmpo is averaging 30 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while ranking 2nd in PER. According to BetMGM he is a distant third place behind Jokic and Embiid. What could be a knock on Antetokounmpo is that he has missed some action. While being out due to injury the Bucks posted an (8-6). Of course, I’m not trying to convey that Milwaukee is better without him. I’m just stating what could slightly tarnish his MVP stock. Giannis will sit out the final game vs. Cleveland. The 27-year-old currently has Milwaukee sitting pretty at the number two spot in the East (51-30).
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5. Shooting Guard, Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker is the least talked about out of every candidate. Normally the award would go to the best player on the best team. Phoenix has been just that the best team by a long shot. The Suns have locked up the top spot out West with a (64-17) record. The Suns broke the 1993 Phoenix Suns total wins record that stood at (62). A majority of that credit should fall in Booker’s lap.
Although he does have Chris Paul as his running mate. Paul missed significant time this season and the Suns didn’t miss a beat. I credit Devin and I also give kudos to Coach Monty Williams who in my opinion should receive coach of the year honors. Booker is averaging 27 ppg, 5 rpg, and 5 assists. We all know he isn’t putting up the best numbers of the bunch but his team is doing the best in large part to his play. A lot of analysts don’t think Book is the popular pick but I think he is just as deserving as any other Superstar MVP candidate.
