NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place

NBA MVP Ladder: 2. Joel Embiid

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 29.6/11.2/4.5/1.0/1.4

FG%/3P%/FT%: 49.5%/36.9%/81.3%

Off EPM / Def EPM: +6.2/+1.2

Joel Embiid has become the ultimate scoring weapon. He leads the league in free throws drawn and makes more than 80 percent of them. He’s shooting 37 percent from deep and, after a cold start, is up to 45% on long twos. He’s even added the Harden gather-stepback to his game, another weapon in his Mary Poppins bag.

Embiid has not been shy about his desire to win MVP. His recent hot stretch has pulled him neck-and-neck with Giannis and Jokic. However, more than anyone else, his MVP chances may ride on an external factor.

James Harden’s impending arrival in the City of Brotherly Love will change something – whether it’s for better or worse remains to be seen. If James resumes the pass-first ways he showcased in Brooklyn last year and helps lift this team to even greater heights? Embiid’s MVP case could look even rosier.

But if Harden takes some of Embiid’s counting stats away and the team starts losing? That could well be a mortal blow to Joel’s hopes.

Embiid has played MVP-caliber ball, and he’s shouldered an incredible two-way load for a 76ers team that is in a surprising tie for third in the East. Hirsute help is coming for Philly, but whether it will aid Embiid’s MVP cause is still unknown.

NBA MVP Ladder: 1. Nikola Jokic

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 26.0/13.8/7.9/1.3/0.7

FG%/3P%/FT%: 57.0%/37.2%/80.8%

Off EPM / Def EPM: +7.7/+1.3

Nikola Jokic and Embiid are in a virtual deadlock for the MVP right now, but almost every statistic gives Jokic the slightest of nods.

Advanced stats are head-over-heels for the Serbian big man. Jokic leads the league in offensive and total EPM, 538’s RAPTOR and WAR, and Basketball-Reference’s Win Shares and VORP, among many others. He’s playing the greatest defense of his life and has become the best passer in the league, regardless of position.

Plus, Jokic has had multiple game-winning blocks and assists this season:

Jokic’s mind is always one step ahead, and he throws dimes to guys who don’t even know they’re open.

The big man is also an elite three-level scorer. He abuses mismatches in the post with unbelievable strength, hits fadeaways with impossible arc, and rains fire from deep despite constant defensive attention.

Injured co-star Jamal Murray’s return could be the catalyst the Nuggets need to gain home-court advantage in the West. If Denver can claw their way to a four-seed, Jokic will be a likely bet to repeat as MVP.