The recent injuries to LeBron James and Joel Embiid have shaken up the current NBA MVP favorites’ rankings. While Doncic is having an incredible statistical season, guys like Butler are and Paul are shining by leading their respective teams to wins. The MVP race is looking like a tight race, as many of the NBA’s best are competing for the top spot.
Ranking the current NBA MVP favorites as of April, 2021.
1. Nikola Jokic- Denver Nuggets (25-17)
Nikola Jokic is currently ranked at the top of my current NBA MVP favorites for good reason. Not only has he been statistically dominant, 27.1 PTS, 11.2 REB, 8.6 AST, 56.9 FG%, 42.5 3P%, he has been carrying the Denver Nuggets from mediocrity all season.
The Nuggets have won 8 of their last 10 games and area competing for a potential top three finish in the Western Conference. If Jokic and the Nuggets continue to dominate, this award should be a lock for the “Joker”.
2. James Harden- Brooklyn Nets (29-14)
I’m not sure if James Harden has been overlooked because of how he started the season or because he’s with an alleged “super team”, but James Harden has been criminally overlooked by the NBA media.
The Nets have had an abundance of absences due to injuries and health & safety protocols. The one constant has been James Harden. The Nets are dominant regardless of who is in the lineup, as long as Harden is suited up, which he pretty much always is.
Harden is doing it all with impressive averages of 25.5 PTS, 8.8 REB, 11.3 AST, 1.3 STL, 47.7 FG%, and 42.5 3P%.
3. Damian Lillard- Portland Trail Blazers (25-17)
Damian Lillard seems to be the consensus fan favorite on NBA Twitter. The Trail Blazers have been dealing with several injuries all season. Despite that, Lillard’s 30.3 PTS, 4,4 REB, 7.6 AST, 45.5 FG%, and 38.3 3P% have helped position the Portland Trail Blazers right with the Denver Nuggets, in contention for a top three finish in the Western Conference.
Continuity has its value. Lillard has mastered Terry Stott’s offense. Although there is no denying Lillard is having an excellent season, I’d argue he isn’t as strong of a current NBA MVP favorite as fans make him out to be.
Doncic and the Mavericks are trending in the right direction and could catch up to Lillard.
There is a lot of basketball left to be played.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo- Milwaukee Bucks (29-14)
The Milwaukee Bucks had a rough start to the year as their newly acquired point guard, Jrue Holiday, missed time. The two time MVP continues to do it all for the Bucks, as they have red hot as of late. The Bucks have won 7 straight and are 1.5 games behind the top spot in the eastern conference.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.0 PTS, 11.7 REB, 6.4 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.3 BLK, 56.2 FG%, and 29.9 3P%.
It is also noticeable that Antetokounmpo is maturing his game, attempting to slow down in situations where he’d charge out of control. Voter fatigue may not be enough to deny Giannis Antetokounmpo of the MVP if the Bucks were to finish with the best record in the eastern conference.
5. LeBron James- Los Angeles Lakers (28-15)
James was my favorite for the MVP just a few days ago, as expressed via TPR’s Per Sources Podcast. James’ availability was keeping the Lakers afloat in Davis’ absence. Unfortunately, missing 2-8 weeks of the season will end up costing him the MVP award.
However, it may end up being the break he needed to win the championship.
6. Joel Embiid- Philadelphia 76ers (30-13)
Joel Embiid was the current NBA MVP favorite on almost everyone’s lists, just a couple weeks ago. Embiid’s dominant presence lead the 76ers to the top of the eastern conference.
However, the combination of him missing significant time, as well as the 76ers continuing to be dominant in his absence, will cost Embiid the MVP award this season.
7. Luka Doncic- Dallas Mavericks (22-19)
Doncic was my preseason favorite to win the MVP award. Unfortunately, the Mavericks’ cold start to the season has kept him out of the top 5 all season. Luckily for the Mavericks, Doncic has played himself into shape and has returned to form.
The Mavericks have been trending in the right direction, winning 7 of their last 10. Doncic continues to impress with his highlights and impressive averages of 29.0 PTS, 8.4 REB, 9.2 AST, 1 STL, 48.4 FG%, and 37.1 3P%.
Doncic has the stats to make a strong case for himself if the Mavericks dominate in the final stretch of the regular season.
8. Steph Curry- Golden State Warriors (22-21)
The Warriors have been one of the most fun and competitive teams in the NBA, mostly thanks to Wardell Stephen Curry II. Although Curry remains the best point guard in the NBA, it’s been difficult for the Warriors to win games in Klay Thompson’s absence.
Curry’s impressive season have kept the Warriors in playoff contention.
9. Jimmy Butler- Miami Heat (22-21)
You know what’s sad? The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors have the same record. The Warriors are ranked 9th in the western conference, the Heat are ranked 4th in the eastern conference.
Jimmy Butler is in the conversation among current NBA MVP favorites for two simple reasons; When Butler plays, the Miami Heat win games. When Butler doesn’t play, the Miami Heat do not win games.
Butler does it all for the Heat and continues to make his teammates better.
10. Kawhi Leonard- Los Angeles Clippers (28-16)
Leonard continues to be one of the most dominant players in the NBA. The accomplished Leonard has been the most important piece of the Clippers, who are competing for a top spot in the western conference.
Leonard, although not as statistically impressive as Doncic, continues to be one of the best two way players in NBA history.
Honorable mentions.
There is no denying the impact on winning Ben Simmons and Chris Paul have for their respective franchises. Also, Trae Young has been one of the least talked about stars in the NBA this season. The Hawks have quietly snuck up to tie the Miami Heat for the fourth spot in the eastern conference.
Care to argue my rankings? Tweet me @TPRx11