NBA MVP Futures Tracker, Wednesday 11th January
- . January 10, 2023
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The latest set of NBA MVP rankings has been released, with back-to-back reigning champion, Nikola Jokic, retaining the top spot as he continues to dominate for the Denver Nuggets.
The Joker certainly hasn’t cemented his third straight trophy just yet, with Jayson Tatum (Boston), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn) & Luka Doncic (Dallas) hot on the big man’s heels.
So, who will end up taking the inaugural Michael Jordan Trophy home?
We break down the top four chances, their stories, & the potential front-page headline should they win.
MVP Candidate #1
Nikola Jokic
Stats: 25ppg, 10.8rpg, 9.7apg
Bill, Wilt, Larry…Nikola? The Serbian superstar is on track to become the fourth player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP awards.
Not only has Jokic led Denver to the top of the Western Conference (27-13) to this point of the season, but he’s dropping video game numbers with averages of 25 points, 10.8 rebounds, 9.7 assists & 1.4 steals. That’s almost a triple-double average.
In fact, he’s leading the NBA with 11 triple-doubles on the season after posting two in his last two games.
If individual dominance & team success are the ingredients for MVP Awards, pencil the Joker in for a third straight sip from the Michael Jordan Trophy.
Headline: The Joker blows up a 37-year record with historic MVP three-peat.
MVP Candidate #2
Jayson Tatum
Stats: 30.8ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.2apg
While Jokic is leading the Nuggets over in the West, it’s Jayson Tatum who is doing the bulk of the damage for Boston on the other side of the country.
The Celtics’ number one operator has gone to another level this season, averaging 3.9 more points than his career-best in 2021/22. He’s currently fifth overall for scoring & sits above KD, LeBron & Donovan Mitchell.
If Tatum can surpass the Joker & take out this year’s MVP Award, he will become the first Celtics player since Larry Bird (1985/86) to do so.
Boston holding onto the top spot in the Eastern Conference (29-12) will be paramount to Tatum’s cause as he looks to follow in Larry’s enormous footsteps.
Headline: Tatum joins Bird in Boston immortality
MVP Candidate #3
Kevin Durant
Stats: 29.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 5.3apg
Can KD win a second MVP award? Nine years since his first? It would make for one sensational story, especially after this week’s knee injury.
The Nets star suffered a sprained MCL against Miami & has been ruled out for at least two weeks. It’s not MVP-defining yet, but a lot will be riding on that re-evaluation.
Before his injury, KD led his side to 14 wins from their past 15 games and into the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Ranking sixth for scoring, ninth for blocks and first for cold-blooded clutch factor, KD was making his move on the MVP Award. Nine years apart and after a knee injury – that story is getting better by the day.
Headline: KD ‘The Real MVP’ again.
MVP Candidate #4
Luka Doncic
Stats: 34ppg, 8.8rpg, 8.7apg
The El Matador has been on a rampage this season and comfortably leads all comers with 34ppg. Such has been Luka’s rapid improvement, averaging almost six points more than his previous best in 2021/22 (28.4ppg).
The triple-double machine is stuffing the stat sheet yet again and simultaneously helping the Mavericks to the fourth spot in the West (23-18).
Doncic’s importance to his team cannot be underestimated, with the Mavs 2-7 in games where he has scored less than 30 points.
Luka’s magic has been on show multiple times this season, putting him firmly in the mix if he can continue to score at his current rate.
Headline: Luka’s Magic summons MVP Award