NBA MVP Race 2021-22: Luka Doncic among the favorites

NBA MVP Race 2021-22: Luka Doncic among the favorites

With the 2021-22 season slated to get going here soon, it’s time to look at our initial NBA MVP rankings. When all was said and done last season, Nikola Jokic earned the award after newly-minted champion Giannis Antetokounmpo won the award the previous two seasons. They are among our 10 favorites to hoist the award in 2021-22.

Top 2021-22 NBA MVP candidates: The big five

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

nba mvp rankings: giannis antetokounmpo
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It’s funny how we go through the NBA MVP race about this time every year, and the Greek Freak finds himself near the top. The two-time MVP might not fancy himself as the best player in the Association, but the past four years have proven otherwise. Still only 26 years old (that’s a thing), this dude is averaging 28.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 56% shooting during that span. Did we mention he averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in route to winning NBA Finals MVP last season? Yeah. OK.

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

nba mvp rankings: luka doncic
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks’ status as a mid-tier playoff team complicated Doncic’s candidacy for the NBA MVP last season. Don’t expect that to be the case once 2021-22 comes calling. First off, we know that Mark Cuban is going to do everything possible to build a winner around the 22-year-old Doncic. Dallas also brought in Jason Kidd to replace Rick Carlisle on the bench and has been active in finding more talent behind this stud guard. If Dallas improves, Doncic will end up being among the top NBA MVP candidates this season. The team’s struggles are not on him. Etch that in stone.

Related: 2021-22 NBA power rankings

3. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

nba mvp candidates: kevin durant
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It’s fine to argue that KD has played just 35 games over the past two seasons. It’s also fine to question whether his 32-year-old body is breaking down. It’s not alright to ignore just how dominating of a force the two-time NBA Finals MVP still is. In 12 playoff games last season with James Harden and Kyrie Irving ailing, the Grim Reaper averaged 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting a ridiculous 40% from distance. Simply put, when KD is on the court, he’s a top-three player in the world. Ignore his social media activity, and respond accordingly.

4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

nba mvp rankings: stephen curry
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Historically brilliant. That’s the best way to describe what we saw from the reigning NBA scoring champion last season. Despite his Warriors missing out on the playoffs due to a play-in loss to the Grizzlies, Curry was able to average 32.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists on 48% shooting from the field.

With Klay Thompson expected to return in 2021-22 and the Warriors hoping to be in title contention, Curry could end up being one of the oldest players to win the NBA MVP award. The biggest key here will be new additions Andre Iguodala, Otto Porter Jr., Avery Bradley, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody doing their parts.

5. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

nba mvp rankings: nikola jokic
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

With Jamal Murray sidelined to a torn ACL, Jokic took that opportunity to prove himself as the 2020-21 NBA MVP. Denver was a shocking 17-8 after Murray went down. This multi-dimensional force was also averaging 31.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists during that span.

Still only 26 years old and with Denver boasting young stud Michael Porter Jr. moving forward, there’s no reason to believe that Jokic and his team will drop off moving forward. Could that lead to back-to-back awards for the Serbian?

Related: Top 50 NBA players today

NBA MVP race: The normal candidates and some surprises

6. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

nba mvp rankings: lebron james
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the early stages of the 2020-21 season, James was a top-end candidate for this individual award. Unfortunately, an ankle injury cost him 27 games. During a truncated 72-game schedule, this was enough for him to be ignored.

Even at 36 years old, that won’t be the case in 2021-22. James is still playing at an elite clip. His Lakers remain top-end NBA title contenders after adding Russell Westbrook and a whole host of other proven veterans to the mix. If the Lakers win 60 this season, King James will be in contention to win his fifth NBA MVP award.

7. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

nba mvp rankings: joel embiid
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Despite being named a finalist for the 2020-21 NBA MVP, Embiid’s candidacy took a hit due to the fact that he missed roughly a quarter of the 76ers’ regular-season games. Since entering the NBA in 2014, this generational center talent has not played more than 64 games in a season. This is troublesome.

With that said, Embiid averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds for a Sixers team that finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference last season. We just can’t ignore that. After a premature playoff exit, the 76ers are at a crossroads with disgruntled star Ben Simmons. How that plays out will obviously impact how Embiid is viewed in this category this season.

8. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

nba mvp rankings: trae young
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With Doncic and Young, the 2019 NBA Draft class is quickly becoming legendary. It’s also still shocking that the two were swapped for one another during the annual event itself. Perhaps lesser known than his counterpart, Young led an ascending Hawks team to the Eastern Conference Finals this past spring. He’s also averaging a robust 27.4 points and 9.4 assists over the past two seasons. Should Atlanta’s ascension to contention continue, Young will be a viable NBA MVP option moving forward.

9. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

nba mvp rankings: zion williamson
Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Williamson is included in the top 10. It’s for one reason. One word. Special. This past year saw the former No. 1 pick average 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists on an otherworldly 61% shooting. He’s dominant. He’s a mismatch waiting to happen. He’s a generational talent. The question now becomes whether New Orleans added enough for Mt. Zion to even considered a top NBA MVP candidate. We’re not too sure. But at 21, he’ll win a few before it’s done. Whether that’s in NOLA remains to be seen.

Related: NBA Playoff and championship predictions

10. James Harden, Brooklyn Nets

nba mvp rankings: james harden
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Pick or choose here. It’s between Harden and Kyrie Irving. Given that the latter might not be able to play one home game this season due to his unvaccinated COVID-19 status, we’re going Harden. Consider this. The Nets were 29-7 in the 36 games Harden played in last season. They boasted a 19-17 record when he didn’t suit up. Oh, and he averaged 24.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 10.9 assists on a Harden-unlike 47% shooting from the field after being acquired from Houston in an early-season trade. Math really isn’t hard, people.

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Author: Vincent Frank

NBA News Sportsnaut