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

NBA MVP Ladder: 2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

The current reigning league MVP has taken his game to a different universe this season, and what makes it even more mind-boggling is that he was already incredible before.

Nikola Jokic has a decimated Denver Nuggets roster that is without their other top scorers in guard Jamal Murray (ACL) and forward Michael Porter Jr (back) as a top-six seed in the Western Conference, which is incredible.

Jokic is putting up almost 25.9 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while shooting 57.8 percent from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 62.5 percent! He also has 14 triple-doubles on the season thus far and is on track for the highest PER (Player Efficiency Rating) season rating in NBA History with a 33.4.

He will break Antetokounmpo’s recent record of a 31.8 PER (which was set in the 2019-20 season) and has gone toe-to-toe with another unique center for this award, who we will see next on this list. Jokic is the greatest passing center ever and his improved defense this season has helped the Nuggets stay in playoff contention.

NBA MVP Ladder: 1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia Sixers

The man who has improved his conditioning every year has made himself into a legit favorite to win his first career MVP award. Joel Embiid has had to deal with Ben Simmons refusing to play for the Sixers due to mental health issues, but he has used that as fuel to become the front-runner in the MVP race.

He’s helped guide the Sixers to be the fifth seed in the East, just a game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Bulls.

Embiid is averaging a career-high in points (29.3), which also leads the league, and is still a dominant defender and rebounder. He’s also putting up 10.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists,1.0 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.

What makes Embiid so unique is that he has the power of Shaquille O’Neal in the paint, able to bully and bounce defenders off him. But he also possesses the skills and finesse of a guard, with an elite mid-range game and the ability to shoot the three. He’s even a reliable free throw shooter (80.9 percent).

Embiid has been labeled “injury prone” throughout his career, and deservedly so, but this season he has been healthy and playing like the best player in the league. What makes it even more impressive is that no one else on the team is averaging 20 or more points per game, with forward Tobias Harris being the next highest scorer at 18.9.

Jokic and Embiid are neck and neck for the MVP right now. Both are so unique due to their size and skill. From Jokic’s IQ of the game to Embiid’s power and soft touch. It will be an exciting race down the stretch between these two, but the others will definitely get some consideration, too.

All in all, this season has given us an MVP Race for the ages, so let’s sit back, relax, and enjoy it.