NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after the game at American Airlines Center on February 04, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers hugs Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after the game at American Airlines Center on February 04, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks
Jan 23, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) react during the first half at American Airlines Center, NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The race for the NBA MVP award has never been closer, as there are realistically seven or eight different players who could take home the award this season.

Last week’s ladder featured the league’s three best big men battling it out for first place, but over the course of the past seven days, other players have begun to make some noise as well.

And at the same time, some players’ cases to win the award are slowly beginning to decline as their teams begin to struggle. As much as the award is about individual play, team success matters, too.

So as week 20 in the NBA gets underway, which player sits atop the NBA MVP Ladder, and who is right behind him in the hunt for the league’s highest individual honor?

(Side note: Michael Shearer will be back next week with the rankings, but I’ll be taking on the challenge in the meantime.)

Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: Honorable mentions

Donovan Mitchell: The Utah Jazz went 8-1 in the month of February, and Mitchell was the unquestioned leader. He’s averaged insane numbers, including shooting 46.9 percent from deep on 10.1 three-point attempts a night. (Rank last week: N/R)

James Harden: In his first few games with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden was absolutely dominant. It’s tough to see him getting any serious MVP buzz due to the drama with the Brooklyn Nets, but the numbers are there for it. (Rank last week: N/R)

Jimmy Butler: The Miami Heat have remained hot, despite not putting up the best counting stats, Butler is the best player in their lineup. Butler brings the intensity, energy, leadership, and constant hustle on one of the best teams in the league. (Rank last week: N/R)

DeMar DeRozan: Since he went on his ridiculous scoring streak, DeRozan has cooled off a bit, and so have the Chicago Bulls. That being said, his play this year cannot be undermined by one cold stretch. (Rank last week: 5)

Stephen Curry: Similar to the Bulls, the Golden State Warriors haven’t been playing great as of late, and Curry has been slumping a tad as well. But he’ll still be in the mix for MVP down the stretch. (Rank last week: N/R)