5 dark horse candidates to win the 2022-23 MVP award

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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates as he points to his wrist after scoring a three-pot basket in the closing seconds of the game against Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

2. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Like most seasons, Damian Lillard has been playing without much due attention for the Portland Trail Blazers. It was impossible to look away when he recently dropped 71 points, though.

Lillard didn’t just become the oldest player in NBA history to drop 70, though. He gained recognition for just how much he’s keeping the Trail Blazers afloat this season, just as he has done virtually every season of his career.

Big Game Dame is having big games on the regular. He’s averaging 32.5 points per game, on pace to average at least 30 points for the second time in his career. Not one to hog all the shots, Lillard is also averaging 7.1 assists per game.

Lillard has only finished in the top five in the MVP race once, in 2017-18. His scoring, assists and three-point accuracy are all better than they were that season five years ago, despite playing a smidgen less each contest.

The Oakland native is trying to carry the Trail Blazers to the playoffs on his back alone. This is a team without CJ McCollum. Jusuf Nurkic is always hurt. Some of the best players are still trying to grow, like Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe.

Yet Portland is only a game in the loss column out of the play-in picture. If that doesn’t show how valuable Lillard is, nothing will.