The NBA season’s underway well, and again, Nikola Jokic proves why he is the reigning MVP. Well past a month since play began, the bar he has set is higher than that of Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, all of whom are positioning themselves as likely candidates for the prestigious award.

Although it has been a few exciting games, it’s evident that Jokic still stands out as the better player going into the season. Let’s break into the rankings and see who is making noise early in the season.

Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

Everyone dreams about dominating the NBA as Jokic is doing with his all-around game. Averaging nearly 30 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, Jokic continues to lead the charge despite having his teammates out injured at times. Shooting is one area that has improved greatly for Jokic, especially for three-pointers; he shoots a career-high 56.4%. Jokic influence even extends to impacting every sector of the game, beginning from defense, making him remain steadfastly ahead of the game in MVP.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been red-hot this season with the Thunder. He’s averaging nearly 29 points per game, but also chipping in with serviceable contributions across assists, rebounds, and steals, that makes him arguably the team’s most unstoppable force in the league. The key part of OKC’s success has relied on his ability to get to the rack and create for teammates, which is why he has been so integral down the stretch and why he’s one of the top MVP candidates this season.

Key Takeaways

• Jokic remains the favorite to be MVP because he has such a well-rounded game.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with the breakout season and leading the Thunder.

• Jayson Tatum’s improvement on three-point shooting helps his case for an MVP nod.

• Anthony Davis dominates both ends of the floor for the Lakers.

• Luka Doncic keeps putting up impressive performances as the Mavericks flounder.

Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum is enjoying an excellent season on one of the better teams in the league, the Boston Celtics, averaging nearly 30 points per game while making significant contributions on the rebounding and assisting columns. And three-point shooting continues to improve for Tatum, hitting 37% on more than 10 tries a night, only making him more lethal. Generally, everything seems to be improving for Tatum as he finds himself firmly in the running for MVP contention.

Anthony Davis – Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is really stepping up for the Lakers this season. He’s averaging 31 points and more than 11 rebounds per game and happens to be one of the best defenders in the league. Even his three-point shooting has improved; hence both offensively and defensively, he is considered an impacting force. Evidently, Davis is the best player for the Lakers this season, and with all this dominant play, he’s right in the conversation for the MVP.

Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic continues to put up incredible numbers: 28 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. However, the shooting efficiency has taken a little hit for him, and the Mavericks are being a bit inconsistent. Still, considering that Doncic remains one of the most talented players in the league, if Dallas improves, there’s little doubt Doncic will be near the top of the MVP race.

Honorable Mentions

• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: Brilliant as usual, but getting less playing time. However, still leads the team and is playing at an MVP level.

• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers: He’s been the backbone of this season’s success for the Cavaliers, averaging 24.3 points a game with strong defense.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): Despite his team’s tough season, Giannis’s play continues to be extraordinary with a league-leading 32.4 points per game.

Conclusion

Nikola Jokic’s stranglehold is so strong, it’ll take a lot to remove him from the throne for MVP this season. Guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Davis are making very strong arguments with outstanding play. These rankings will change as the season moves along, but the standard Jokic has set now is just absurd.

FAQ’s