Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break

ByDonald Hamilton|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in action at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in action at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
1 of 3
NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 04: DeMar DeRozan #11of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

With NBA All-Star Weekend right around the corner, it is now time to talk about my top five NBA MVP candidates for the 2021-22 NBA season. This has been one of the best NBA MVP races in recent memory with guys like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant initially at the top of the MVP race near the start of the season.

But, with Curry cooling down and Durant missing significant time with an MCL injury, two bigs have come to the forefront of the conversation, as both are leading their teams to a playoff spot despite having an average supporting cast.

Those players are Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. They are taking their games to a new stratosphere this season with Jokic trying to defend his MVP and become the first center to repeat as MVP in the 21st century.

We also can’t forget about Chicago Bulls wing DeMar Derozan, who has led the Bulls to a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who looks like he has gotten even better while still leading his team to one of the best records in the league.

So without further ado, let’s get into my top five MVP candidates at this point in the season.

Honorable Mentions: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

NBA MVP Ladder: 5. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls

DeMar DeRozan has been flat-out ridiculous this season, averaging 27.2 points per game, the most he has averaged since the 2016-17 season (27.3) when he was on the Toronto Raptors.

He looks like he will be making the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. DeRozan is also averaging 5.2 rebounds per game and 5.1 assists per game this season. He has the Chicago Bulls at the third seed in the Eastern Conference, with some help from his All-Star teammate Zach LaVine.

Many people thought they wouldn’t be a great pairing and wouldn’t work out… boy were they wrong. DeRozan has had offensive explosions, game-winners, and more, all of which are moments an MVP candidate must have. Plus, he has the Bulls vying for a deep playoff run and their first berth in the postseason since 2017.

The Bulls have been hit by the injury bug with LaVine, Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball, and Patrick Williams all being out with injuries, and since DeRozan has been the one constant for them, he gets his rightful spot on this list.