Luka Doncic (PG, Dallas Mavericks)

What Luka has been doing on the court this year is nothing short of spectacular. Currently, Luka leads the league in points per game (34.3 PPG), is among the top 23 in rebounds per game (8.8 RPG, which is first amongst guards), and is 5th in the league in assists per game (8.9 APG). His defense has also been improving and he ranks 10th in steals per game (1.7 SPG). Stats do not even tell the full story though: the iso-centric offense that runs through Luka simply cannot function without him. In the only game Luka has missed this year, the Mavericks put up a measly 92 points against one of the worst defenses in the league (Houston Rockets) en route to a loss. This shows that this Dallas Mavericks offense cannot function without their superstar Luka Doncic. Doncic has also been steadily improving defensively: in years past, Doncic has been a below-average defender, but this season, he is average at the very least. Being even an average defender is absurd, given his otherworldly offensive production.

Jayson Tatum (PF, Boston Celtics)

Maybe one of the less popular MVP picks at this moment, Jayson Tatum, has been putting on a clinic this season. He ranks 5th in points per game (30.8 PPG), 7th in rebounds per game among non-centers (8.1 RPG), and averages 1 block and 1 steal. Not only is Tatum putting up elite numbers on offense, but he has also been elite on defense as well. Tatum is one of the only five players this season to average 1+ blocks and 1+ steals. The combination of this elite offense and elite defense makes Tatum a force to be reckoned with. Currently, the Boston Celtics sit at 26-12 (which is the best record in the NBA). Therefore, there is no reason the leader on both sides of the ball, of the best team in the league, should not be a top MVP candidate.

Anthony Davis (C, Los Angeles Lakers)

Anthony Davis is looking like his former self on the Pelicans and it’s a remarkable thing to see. Currently, Anthony Davis is among the top 12 in points per game (27.4 PPG), leads the league in rebounds per game (12.3 RPG), and is the only player in the NBA with 2+ blocks per game, and 1+ steals per game. These stats are also a little skewed against his favor due to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers where he left early because of an illness. Regardless, Anthony Davis has been an elite player on both sides of the court and is arguably the best defender in the league at this moment. The Los Angeles Lakers currently sit below .500, but they have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games with Anthony Davis. Although he will be sidelined with an injury for the next couple of weeks, I do believe Anthony Davis will return as the force he was to start the season.

Wait… no Jokic, Giannis or Embiid?

These three players might make up the top three candidates, but I wanted to recognize some of the sneakier potential MVP’s.

Image courtesy of Katharine Lotze of Getty Images

Published by Elliott Z.