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NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place

By Michael Shearer

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 16: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings on February 16, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place. 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 Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

NBA MVP Ladder: 4. DeMar DeRozan

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 28.1/5.2/5.1/1.0/0.3

FG%/3P%/FT%: 51.7%/34.3%/86.6%

Off EPM / Def EPM: +4.6/-0.3

DeMar DeRozan’s numbers barely do him justice. He’s doing what he’s always done better than he’s ever done it before.

DeRozan has scored more fourth-quarter points than anyone while throwing daggers like a Castlevania character. The Bulls have suffered critical injuries to nearly their entire roster, yet DeRozan keeps pulling them to wins (the Bulls are tied for the one-seed in the East).

His balletic mid-range game and impeccable footwork please old fans and young ones alike. He’s even shooting acceptably well from deep (on very limited volume).

Before the season, there was a concern that DeRozan would be a strange fit with the Bulls’ centerpiece stars, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. However, he’s proven to be a perfect complement (the trio has a +6.8 net rating, in the 84th percentile) while organically becoming the alpha dog (he leads the team in FGA).

The Bulls have exceeded expectations so far this year, even without a full complement of players. When they finally get everyone back, they’re aiming for nothing less than a championship – and it’s all thanks to DeMar.

NBA MVP Ladder: 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 29.4/11.2/6.0/1.0/1.4

FG%/3P%/FT%: 54.7%/30.9%/72.1%

Off EPM / Def EPM: +6.2/+1.2

It’s hard to imagine that the two-time MVP is playing the best basketball of his career and yet isn’t even in the top two this season, yet here we are.

Giannis is second in the league in scoring and is averaging the most assists of his career while playing his typical DPOY-caliber defense. He just dropped 44 points on 17-20 shooting and 50 points on 17-21 shooting.

His case should be airtight.

But something feels just a tiny bit off this year. Even though Giannis is going as hard as ever, the Bucks are an uninspiring fifth in the East after rampaging through the last few regular seasons. Despite stellar statistical seasons from the Bucks’ big three, it still feels like they are waiting for the playoffs to begin.

Both Jokic and Embiid are leading their team to greater-than-expected success; it might be unfair, but the Bucks have underperformed this season, and that puts Giannis a smidge behind the other two. A strong end to the season could fix that in a hurry.