NBA MVP Ladder Week 23: Injuries clouding the picture

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks n against the Sacramento Kings in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on March 16, 2022 in Sacramento, California, NBA MVP Ladder Week 23: Injuries clouding the picture. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Rank last week: 2

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 29.8/11.5/5.8/1.1/1.4

FG%/3P%/FT%: 54.7/30.0/72.1

Off EPM / Def EPM: +6.2/+0.9

Giannis has been playing out of his mind, but a troublesome knee keeps him from snagging a golden opportunity to leapfrog Jokic. There is growing media support for Giannis to win MVP, with many noting that his offense is on par with Embiid and nearly as good as Jokic’s, while his defense is superior to both players.

The Bucks’ uneven start to the season hindered him early on, and I wonder if anchoring bias – the tendency for voters to stick with their initial picks – makes it harder for people to accept that Giannis is a real threat to win.

His status as a previous two-time winner also works against him. The list of three-time MVPs is full of hallowed one-namers – LeBron, Jordan, Magic, Bird, Moses, Kareem, Russell, and Wilt. All of those guys are likely top-15 players ever, and adding Giannis may feel like a premature coronation.

But Giannis is 26 and playing better than in either of his two MVP seasons! Being a top-15 player is certainly a distinct possibility for him, and voter fatigue tends to create decisions that age poorly.

Regardless, Giannis still has work to do to pass Jokic in these rankings. Let’s hope that sore knee doesn’t hold him back from giving his best effort.