The NBA has a ton of good players this season, and it feels like there are six great players in the league that could potentially win the MVP Award this season. Many teams have franchise-caliber players, and some wish they had even one of those players. Maybe some players will outshine the others and develop into superstars, but only time will tell.
At some point, the NBA MVP conversation will eventually separate itself, but it may never do. NBA experts picks believe that Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets could win his third consecutive MVP Award, but there are many players who qualify for this title. Who are currently some of the top players in the NBA so far this season?
1. Jayson Tatum, Forward, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are near the top of the NBA Standings this season because Jayson Tatum has finally arrived as a superstar in this league. A lot of their offensive success is because of him scoring 25-30 or more points every single game. Boston has a Top 5 offense in the league because of their ball movement and their style of play.
Tatum scoring means they win a lot of the time. When other teams slow him down, that usually means that he isn’t scoring as effectively, which can be detrimental t the game and take the Boston Celtics out of rhythm. Jayson Tatum is going to be in the MVP conversation all season long, especially if Boston can claim the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
2. Nikola Jokic, Center, Denver Nuggets
We all think Nikola Jokic will eventually disappear, but he doesn’t seem to. Jokic has won back-to-back MVPs and is on track to potentially do it again this season. If he does that, it will be the first time since the 1980s that someone accomplished that feat, and it was Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. Nikola Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double this season, which is amazing for a big man.
Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder back in 2016-2017 averaged a triple-double and won the MVP that season. Jokic has the Denver Nuggets near the top of the Western Conference Standings. If he gets them to the number one seed this season, it should be a lock for him to win the MVP award as long as he stays healthy.
3. Luka Doncic, Guard/Forward, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic, someway, somehow continues to carry this franchise on his back, but he needs more help around him. The fact he carried this basketball team to the Western Conference Finals a season ago was an accomplishment in itself. Doncic can win an NBA Championship down the road, but it won’t happen without the necessary help.
Luka Doncic can score 30 or 40 points on any given night. He just recently had a 60-point triple-double against the New York Knicks. Doncic currently has the Dallas Mavericks in the sixth spot in the west with the lack of talent around him. He can elevate other players around him, and that’s what makes him so unique.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is currently the best player in the world right now even if he hasn’t won the NBA MVP Award the past two seasons. He won it back-to-back years in 2019 and in 2020. Antetokounmpo recently won an NBA Championship in 2021 against the Phoenix Suns in six games and has an NBA Finals MVP.
Giannis Antetokounmpo can score 30 points and grab 15 rebounds every single night. He is also a dominant player once he drives the lane and gets into the paint. Defenders don’t even want to try taking charges against him because that is just not a very good idea for them. Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to get more hardware in his NBA career. It isn’t a matter of if but a matter of when.
