Joel Embiid
Last season, Embiid came up short to Nikola Jokic in MVP voting but I believe this year the results should be different as Embiid is managing to have an even more dominant season this year. Embiid is currently 2nd in the league in scoring averaging 33.0 points while leading his team in rebounds and blocks per game. The Sixers are currently the third seed in the east despite a slow start to the season and previous injuries to Tyrese Maxey and James Harden thanks to Embiids MVP level play. His incredible impact on both ends of the floor has the Sixers considered a title contender and is a huge factor in the Sixers being a top 3 defensive team in the League. Although Nikola Jokic's team has a slightly better record than Embiid's Sixers, in their most recent match up on Jan. 28th Embiid had an MVP caliber performance against the 2-time MVP in Jokic. In a matchup between the two superstar centers Embiid had an epic performance dropping 47 points while grabbing 18 rebounds and led the Sixers to a 126-119 win. Embiid has put up stellar numbers all season long but his best performance came early in the season against the Utah Jazz. On Nov. 13th Embiid dropped a career high 59 points in a near triple double performance grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out 8 assists. With Embiid's incredible level of play thus far I give him the slight edge over Jokic as my MVP favorite
Nikola Jokic
The 2-time MVP in Nikola Jokic is having one of the most historic seasons in NBA history as he could be just the third player in NBA history to average a triple double for a season. Jokic is currently averaging 24.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 10 assists a game and could be the first non point guard to average a triple double. Most amazingly about his triple double feat is that the Nuggets have won 28 straight games in which he has recorded a triple double showing his impact on winning. This year, the Nuggets have gone from playoff contender to legit title threat as they have best record in the west and third best record in the NBA. Jokic showed his entire repertoire in a recent game against the Clippers where he had yet another impressive triple double performance. Jokic dropped 40 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists leading the Nuggets to an overtime win against one of the most talented teams in the west in the Clippers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
At this point in Giannis' career his greatness has become so expected to the point it has become underappreciated as his effort and energy on both sides of the court is simply second to none. Giannis arguably having the best year of his career averaging a career best 31.3 points per game along with 12 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Giannis is once again leading a Bucks team that looks focused on being champions once again as the Bucks have now won an NBA best 15 games games in a row this season. With their recent success they are now a half game ahead of the Celtics for the best record in the NBA. Giannis has been a major part of their success all season long but especially during this win streak scoring 29 or more in 11 of the 15 wins including 2 50+ point performances. With Giannis back healthy after missing a couple games due to injury he easily could rise up my MVP list as we move closer to the end of the season.
Source-NBA YouTube Channel, NBA on ESPN YouTube Channel
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