When it comes to the MVP conversation in the NBA there are so many players that deserved to be mentioned. Several players are having spectacular seasons as 6 players are averaging 30+ points per game. However, the criteria of who should be considered for MVP in my opinion has to come down to who's playing at a high level and helping their team win consistently. There are 3 players I believe are so far best meeting that criteria and are most likely to win the MVP award this season.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum has been on an absolute tear so far this season as he is the second leading scorer in the NBA at 31.6 points per game along with 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He has done all this while leading the defending eastern conference champions to the best record in the NBA at 18-5. Tatum recently had his best game of the season in a matchup against a conference rival in the Miami Heat where he scored a season high 49 points while hitting 8 3-pointers. This game would be Tatum's third 40-point game of the season and gave the Celtics their fifth straight win as they defeated the Heat 134-121. If Tatum can continue on this incredible pace and leads the Celtics to the #1 seed in the east, he should be considered the favorite to win his first MVP award.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
At this point in Giannis Antetokounmpo's illustrious career the only thing keeping him from winning another MVP award is how we have become bored with his consistent greatness. Still, a major case for Antetokounmpo to win yet another MVP award has been his ability to have the Bucks look just as dominant despite missing their all-star in Khris Middleton. Giannis has been the most dominate player in the league this year averaging 31.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He has put up these impressive numbers while leading the Bucks to the second-best record in the east at 15-6 so far this season. With Middleton back in the lineup, if Antetokounmpo can continue to put up the same numbers the Bucks at full strength are arguably the best team in the NBA. Although I have Tatum slightly ahead of Giannis as my MVP favorite, it likely could come down to who's team has a better record by the end of the season.
Devin Booker
Booker has unfortunately been an underrated player when it comes to the MVP conversation despite the Suns being one of the best teams in the NBA for the past couple years. However, this year is a far different story as with Chris Paul and Cam Johnson being injured Devin Booker has carried the Suns through adversity. Currently, the Suns have the best record in the west at 15-7 and Booker's greatness has been on full display as he has averaged 29.5 points and 5.9 assists per game so far. Booker recently had his best game of the season dropping a season-high 51 points while shooting 20-25 from the field against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 30th. Even more impressively he did so in just 31 minutes or less becoming just the eighth player to accomplish such a feat in the shot clock era. If Booker leads the Suns to the #1 seed despite missing multiple starters for what looks to be a large portion of the season, Booker should be a far more appreciated pick for MVP than he has been in previous years.
Honorable mentions
4. Luka Doncic
5. Nikola Jokic
6. Kevin Durant
7. Steph Curry
8. Ja Morant
9.Donovan Mitchell
10. Anthony Davis
Source: NBA YouTube Channel
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