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

By Donald 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) /
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NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 07: Stephen Curry #30 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of Team LeBron look on prior to the 70th NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena on March 07, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

NBA MVP Ladder: 4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Is it really a surprise that Stephen Curry finds his way into the conversation? Sure, he has dropped in the ranks, as he was initially the runaway favorite for the NBA MVP award around November and early December, but ever since he broke Ray Allen’s career three-point record, he hasn’t been his usual dominant self.

Despite that, Curry has still been the engine that has made the Warriors go, and he has had to make adjustments to his game by implementing his longtime Splash Brother in Klay Thompson back into the mix.

He’s shooting career lows from the field (42.2 percent) and from three (38.1 percent), excluding the 2019-20 season in which he played just five games due to a broken wrist that cost him the season.

The fact that we’re saying Curry, the greatest shooter ever, bar none, is shooting “just” 38.1 percent from the field just goes to show the lofty expectations he has set for himself throughout his career, as that number would be amazing for anyone else.

The Warriors are currently the second seed in the Western Conference, behind the reigning Western Conference champs, the Phoenix Suns, and that is largely due to the “Baby-Faced Assassin.”

NBA MVP Ladder: 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

I mean, what hasn’t been said about the “Greek Freak” at this point in his career. It seems as though he continues to improve his game each and every year.

This season, he looks more unguardable than ever, as he has an improved jumper. He is shooting mid-range, three, and turnaround jumpers with more confidence than ever, and is making them as well. Plus, h’s still a dominant defender and a blistering blur in transition.

He’s averaging a shade under 28.9 points per game to go along with 11.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Antetokounmpo has been nothing short of magnificent on a Bucks team that has had Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and others dealing with injuries. Despite that, he has the Bucks as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, just behind the Miami Heat.