NBA MVP Watch: March 2
With just over a month until the NBA playoffs begin, the MVP race is coming to a close, yet there is no unanimous favorite for the award.
Many names have been thrown around in MVP discussions. Let’s check in which of those names are in the top three, along with a few honorable mentions.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
If the season ended right now, Embiid would take home the first scoring title by a center since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000.
His dominance has been unrivaled, and he carried the 76ers on his back in the first half of the season. Now adding James Harden to the mix, many have questioned whether having a former MVP on the team may hurt Embiid’s MVP case this season.
However, after two games with Harden, Embiid’s numbers have not shown any signs of decreasing; he averaged 35.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in those two games.
The 76ers are among the title favorites now, and Embiid’s MVP case will only grow stronger if they can maintain a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic has carried his team on his back all season as well, and just like Embiid, he could soon have help on the way with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. possibly returning from injury for the playoffs.
Jokic’s incredible playmaking, finishing and efficiency has kept the Nuggets in a playoff spot, even with those two offensive stars missing most of the season.
The Serbian center’s numbers are off the charts across the board, including currently having the second-best player efficiency rating (PER) in a single season of all-time.
The even more incredible part of that statistic? The all-time single season PER leader in first (Giannis Antetokounmpo) and third (Embiid) are also from this 2021-2022 season.
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
If it weren’t for all the other incredible seasons from other players on this list, DeMar DeRozan would be a lock for the MVP award.
When it comes to getting a bucket, he’s the guy you want on your team. The veteran guard is averaging a career high 28.3 points per game, has scored the most total points in the league with 1633 and has become a master of the mid-range shot.
The Bulls are at the top of the Eastern Conference largely because of DeRozan, who’s been clutch all year; his 4.0 points per game in the clutch are fourth in the league.
Honorable mentions: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies; Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Daniel Mader is a second-year student majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact him, email dbm5725@psu.edu.
