So Warriors beat Nuggets in a MVP matchup between Curry and Jokic. I don't know who id pick honestly right now, no one has a clear case over the other because the best performers statistically don't play for the best teams.
Curry's pros are he's playing at the highest level offensively right now compared to anyone, but Warriors are 30-30. With him they are 29-23 though, and without him 1-7. They are a lottery team without him. So if he gets them into the playoffs that's his case.
Jokic is playing great all season consistently (played all games as well I think), but his team isn't in the top of the league either. Right now they are 4th in the west and 6th in the whole league (would be one spot lower if not for AD and Lebron injuries), and with voter consistency in mind, only Westbrook won the award with his team not being in the top2 in his conference, in the last XX years (no idea how long, but it's been decades), so that definitely works against his chances. Others who are playing great seasons but not on the level of those 2, but their teams aren't at the top are Doncic, Lillard, Butler, but neither has a case over those 2...
Then you have to look at the best teams to find counter candidates. Utah is the top seed, Mitchell carries the offensive part with a well balanced supporting cast, while Gobert (DPOY imo) is the defensive leader. Can't say much, I barely follow them, but imo Mitchell deserves a mention.
Now Phoenix. Chris Paul. The guy goes to OKC and they make the playoffs when everyone thinks they are lottery after PG and Westbrook leave. But they make the playoffs. This season without him they are bottom of the west. Suns last season were 34-39 (after being 8-0 in the bubble). This season they currently sit at 42-17, 2nd in the league. This can not be coincidence. The guy improves teams with his presence, defensively (top 5 defense this year) and offensively. His stats aren't on the level of Curry and Joker, but he transformed a lottery team into a contender. A 20+ wins turnaround (don't know how much exactly) and he leads the team in assists and steals, 2nd in scoring, 3rd in rebounds! He also missed only one game. There is the sentimental value of him being one of the greatest PGs ever, never winning it and maybe this being his last shot. But I don't hear anyone mention him so maybe they don't even consider him. To me personally, he'd be a candidate with Jokic and Curry, each having something going for them.
Clippers are 3rd in the league but they have 2 co starts. Kawhi played well but the team is about the same winning percentage when he sits and he has George performing on a similar level. He's not in it imo.
Brooklyn has Durant, Harden and Kyrie. Normally that would exclude each of them but they all played great, when they played. Harden carried them with Durant out for a long while, people even said he should be a MVP candidate, but he sits a lot. To counter that, they are 6-7 when he's out since he arrived. But he has no shot at winning, even though he played a great season and is leading the league in assists. KD missed majority of the season, the little he played he was great. If he had that level over an entire season, maybe he'd be a prime candidate. Kyrie also missed quite a lot time but this is one of the best regular seasons he had. But no one will pick him over KD or Harden.
Philly had a MVP candidate in Embiid when he played regularly, but he's just out too much. At his best, he's a little bit better than Jokic. He doesn't have the same level of playmaking but he makes it up on the defensive as a rim protector. But as I said, he is out too much to be MVP.
Giannis is again having a great year, same as last 2. But the Bucks aren't the no.1 team in the league anymore, so his chances are smaller than before. Maybe if they finish with the best record in the east, he becomes a prime candidate. Still games left to play...
Honorable mention, Julius Randle
should ave never let him go for nothing
If I had to vote right now, probably Jokic with Curry and Paul behind. Giannis 4th. But let's see. If Phoenix finishes with the best record I'd give it to CP3. If Warriors finish higher and enter the playoffs, Curry's chances are big as well
Buy on AliExpress.com
