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5 NBA MVP candidates for the 2021 season
The NBA season is in the home stretch and, although the playoffs and potential NBA Championship winners rightly dominate the headlines, there is also the battle for the Most Valuable Player to look at too. That’s what we’re doing here with our view of the NBA MVP candidates 2021.
5 NBA MVP candidates 2021
5. Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
Kicking off our list of the NBA MVP candidates for the 2021 season is Luka Doncic. In truth, number five on our list has been a position we’ve found tough to settle on throughout the campaign but, after much thought and deliberation, we’ve plumped for Doncic. The reason is his 27.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game all whilst leading his Dallas Mavericks to the number five seed in the loaded Western Conference.
We already know that this Mavericks team are no mugs but Doncic elevates his side to an entirely different level. He is always a threat to explode in the big games too, which is obviously a nice quality to have in your ranks. As the MVP award goes, he’s definitely a long shot but he deserves his mention, no question.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Now we’re getting into the big leagues. Let’s just remind you that not since the legendary Larry Bird has anyone been able to win the MVP award three years on the spin. Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently sitting on two. The third isn’t out of the question; in fact, he has every opportunity of completing a hat-trick that would scrawl his name into the history books.
As the regular season goes he averages 28.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game for a Bucks team that is among the top four teams in their respective conference. In some ways, it feels like he’s flying under the radar as 2021 NBA MVP candidates go but, in truth, that’s probably because people have forgotten just how good he is. That’s what the incredible consistency he has shown has done. If anyone needed a wake up call though he delivered it a couple of weeks back with his 49-point outburst against the Brooklyn Nets.
3. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
If it wasn’t for some time on the sidelines because of injury, it’s quite possible Joel Embiid would be higher than third on our list. After all, it has been a phenomenal year for the Philadelphia 76ers big man. Embiid is sitting on game averages of 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists whilst he also leads his side in blocks too at 1.4 per match.
Those numbers from Embiid has taken the 76ers to be the top seed in the Eastern Conference. As mentioned before, his injuries will hurt his chances to win the MVP trophy but if he can deliver in the post season then he’s still in with a huge shout.
2. Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Of course, Steph Curry was going to feature amongst the top NBA MVP candidates for 2021. He’s been ridiculous this season. His Golden State Warriors team boasts a bang average roster – at best – with Curry almost single handedly dragging them to the post season. He’s posted MVP worthy numbers and broken several records along the way too.
Curry tops the scoring charts with a game average of 32.0 points per game with April seeing him post 37.3 PPG to help drag his campaign average up even further. It’s been such a constant feature of Warriors play that it’s now just expected. You should, however, remember that he’s delivered these displays whilst opposition defences focus all their energy on trying to stop him. It’s just easier said than done. That is evidenced by the fact he’s scoring at a rate we’ve not seen for a while; that means he is in with a real crack of winning this award.
1. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Finally, the player topping our 2021 list of NBA MVP candidates is Nikola Jokic. He will be a more than deserving winner of the award too if he does get the nod. He’s been the front runner for quite some time now, although it’s not a done deal. The reason is simply because he just makes the Nuggets so much better.
The best way for us to evidence his impact on the team is the fact that when Jokic takes to the floor the Nuggets outscore their opponents by eight points per 100 possessions. Take Jokic out of the game and they are the side getting outscored. His all round numbers are good as well at 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists; it’s that efficient scoring and stellar passing ability that make him the favourite to win the award.
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