The Association crew debates if Nikola Jokić is currently the best player in the league.
So let’s discuss the elephant in the MVP room — the 65-game minimum for eligibility — because much like the large beast, it’s hard to ignore right now, given the latest development.
This minimum was implemented by the league for a reason. To qualify for any regular-season award (All-NBA, etc.), a player must reach the threshold. This is incentive-based (you must play) and also sensible, because how can someone stake a claim to be the best or among the best and they’re MIA for a significant chunk of that season?
Keep in mind that only Bill Walton (1977-78) won MVP while playing fewer than 65 games in an 82-game season. Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019-20), Karl Malone (1998-99) and LeBron James (2011-12) won in seasons that were shortened. Therefore, even before the 65-rule was in place, MVP contenders were routinely reaching it, anyway.
Maybe in some ways it’s not always fair because of injuries, especially in this era, but such is life, and shall we list all the injustices of 24/7, 365-everyday living? It might take a minute.
And now let’s discuss the seven-foot Serbian in the MVP room.
Everyone did a collective exhale when Nikola Jokić, well ahead in the Kia Race to the MVP, was diagnosed with a hyperextended knee — the best-case scenario — from last Monday’s mishap in Miami. Jokić is an NBA treasure, someone who prepares himself diligently, plays the right way, stays humble, smartly represents the Denver Nuggets, and, of course, performs at the highest of levels.
His status will be reassessed in four weeks, which roughly means he’ll miss all of January. Which means there’s a chance he won’t reach 65. Should a player such as Jokić — who normally doesn’t take time off (he played under 70 games only once in his career and that includes shortened seasons) — be punished when it comes to MVP? Is this unfair?
Everyone can agree on this: it is definitely unfortunate.
Anyway, for purposes of this particular discussion, Jokić won’t be replaced at No. 1 on the Kia MVP Ladder until he becomes mathematically unable to reach 65 games, or someone comes along and pole vaults Jokić’s astoundingly high bar. That’s not impossible to do, but good luck with that, also.
And none of that’s happening this week, at the very least.
No. 1 remains No. 1 until further notice.
Setting the stage this week: A seriously delicious guard matchup awaits Monday when Jalen Brunson and the Knicks visit Cade Cunningham and the Pistons. Perhaps the top spot in the East will be at stake as well, or soon thereafter. These two MVP contenders have positioned themselves and their teams accordingly. Team and individual bragging rights are at stake — at least until they meet again, Feb. 6.
The stat to know: The Los Angeles Lakers are obviously rich in legendary talent — Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, etc. And none averaged at least 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a single season … like Luka Doncic is currently doing.
What they are saying: “It’s a sad day for me because this is my favorite player to watch. If I paid money to watch a player, I’m paying money to watch Jokić … this is a devastating blow to (his) team because you’re talking about the front-runner for MVP.” — Tracy McGrady, the former star-turned-broadcaster, on Jokic and the Nuggets.
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1 ↔️
Season stats: 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11 assists
His case: Until his injury, he was on pace to become the first player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounds and assists. In addition, he’s a top-five scorer. Also, in 32 games this season, Jokić had a triple-double in half of them.
Simply put: the man is just a machine. He also has 28 double-doubles, shooting 60% from the field and 43.5% from deep. Again, before this injury, there was no suspense regarding the MVP front-runner. It took a freak of nature to introduce a shred of doubt.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 2 ↔️
Season stats: 32.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists
His case: He rang in the New Year pretty much the way he left the old one, playing three quarters and dropping genius — getting 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting with four steals in a blowout win against the Blazers. Apparently, the sky isn’t falling in Oklahoma City anymore.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged nearly 32 points on 58% shooting in December, which had its challenges, obviously, given the three losses to the Spurs. Still, his shooting efficiency remained steep and with a few exceptions, he kept his mistakes to a minimum.
3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week’s ranking: No. 3 ↔️
Season stats: 33.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists
His case: Dončić wrapped up a steady if not dominant December with a handful of MVP-flavored performances. Such as: A 45-point triple-double against the Jazz, 43 points and 13 assists against the Clippers, 41 against the Bucks. He continues to lead the league in scoring.
What’s more, Dončić remains a threat to drop a triple-double any night, or at least come close. He’s averaging almost that for the season. As mentioned above in the Stat To Know, Dončić is carving out space among the Lakers’ legends of the past.
4. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Last week’s ranking: No. 4 ↔️
Season stats: 29.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists
His case: How can someone handle the ball so much and seldom allow it to slip? In his last two games, 72 minutes of action, Brunson has two turnovers. That’s one of those subtle signs that Brunson is having a solid season so far.
For December, Brunson averaged 30.6 points and seven assists and shot 40% from deep. He also averaged just 1.8 turnovers over 13 games, averaging 37 minutes played per game, which is supreme efficiency.
5. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Last week’s ranking: No. 6 ⬆️
Season stats: 24.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks
His case: Wembanyama’s ramp-up following a calf strain is going swimmingly. He has crammed much production at both ends in limited playing time and, on a per-minute basis, is playing better than much of the pack. Most recently was 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes (and surviving an injury scare) in a win over the Knicks. He’s averaging more points than minutes over his last three games.
Therefore, he gets the top-five nudge, by a razor-thin margin, over Cade Cunningham for now. It remains to be seen if the Spurs hike his minutes or are content to keep him rationed at 25 per game, especially if they continue to win regularly.
The next 5:
6. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons ⬇️
7. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics ↔️
8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves ↔️
9. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers ↔️
10. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets ↔️
And five more (listed alphabetically): Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets; De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers; Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets; Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
