With NBA 2021/22 season set to begin tomorrow at 5:30 AM IST, the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic will not be the one to cut our top 5 MVP candidates. Here are our top 5 candidates-
5. LeBron James
4 time MVP winner last season was on the pace of winning MVP again for the 5th time in his career but his case was shut after his ankle injury in mid-season and he had to sit the rest of the season out. His comeback as usual will be stronger than ever, with AD and Westbrook, the Lakers seem to be the favourite to be the 1st seed in the west, this will help in LeBron’s MVP case.
4. Kevin Durant
KD has won this award just once in his career in 2014, in which he was the leading scorer. With Kyrie’s situation with the vaccination, 2 times Finals MVP winner will have more chances to display his exception scoring ability and to lead his team to the top 3 in the Eastern Conference.
3. Luka Doncic
Luka’s progress in just 3 years has been beyond exceptional, his ability to make high quality plays for his teammate and can get to the rim at will with his patented long step-back 3’s only downside to his game offensively is free throw shooting, Luka reminds me of a young LeBron who can carry the whole team by himself.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Already 2 times MVP winner in 2019 and 2020, he has had great regular season performances, the only reason he did not cut in 2021 was because of his lack of success in playoffs, now that is out of the way, and now an NBA champion he will look towards winning his 3rd MVP.
1. Stephen Curry
Curry won his last 2 MVPs in 2015 and 2016 with one of them being the first and only unanimous MVP winner. His sidekick Klay Thompson has been set to return to the court on December 25th, Curry last season even without making the playoffs was still 3rd in voting, his exceptional shooting from 3 and baiting defenders to score an easy layup and his passing ability under Steve Kerr’s great offensive system will only make Curry even better, he has already shown flashes in pre-season by scoring 40 points. Thus even though it was very tough to pick between Luka and Giannis, Curry will run away with his 3rd MVP of his career.