For the first time since Blake Griffin in 2012, there is a new favorite for NBA MVP. We take a look at who could win and where things stand now.
The “nba mvp race 2022” is a blog article that discusses the NBA MVP Power Rankings. The article talks about Kevin Durant’s fall from the top spot and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rise to the top of the list.
Kevin Durant has an MCL injury and will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, which will change the NBA landscape for the next two months and might potentially effect the MVP race. Kevin Durant was definitely a top-3 MVP contender this season, averaging 29.3 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three. Despite Kyrie Irving’s absence and James Harden’s early problems, Kevin Durant guided the Brooklyn Nets to the East’s top seed for the majority of the season.
However, with Durant out of the picture, a slew of new contenders emerge in the MVP race. This season has seen some spectacular performances from top players, and the MVP battle is heating up once again as All-Star Weekend approaches. Durant’s injury is a huge impact this season, since the top two MVP contenders might be in the clear as they fight it out until the season’s finale. Here are the new MVP power rankings, which account for Durant’s two-month absence.
Is Kevin Durant out of contention for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award?
Kevin Durant was in the MVP race after 36 games this season, but a layoff of 4-6 weeks may put him out for good. Because he had to overcome a dearth of quality on his squad for the most of the season, he was definitely a top-3 MVP contender. At the outset of the season, the Nets were considered a superteam, but Kyrie has only played in three games this season and Harden has struggled mightily. Joe Harris, a sharpshooter, has also only appeared in 14 games, averaging 11.3 points per game.
Durant has been extraordinarily effective from the field without much support and has had to deal with a lot of pressure by playing a lot of minutes (36.5 MPG). It may seem unfair that Durant has been booted from the MVP competition so quickly, but the superstar will play fewer than 60 games this season after missing almost two months of basketball. Given the top-10 list of MVP favorites this year, that just won’t do.
There are a few championship contenders with superstars on their rosters, as well as postseason teams with superstar quality. With the abundance of superstar talent in the NBA right now, it will be difficult for Durant to even crack the top-10 when he returns in 4-6 weeks. Given the Nets’ all-in approach to winning the NBA championship this season, it’s quite possible that KD will not play during the regular season, which implies the Nets will not crown an MVP in 2021-2022.
When we look at the previous 10 MVP winners who had a full 82-game season (excluding 2011-12, 2019-20, and 2020-21), Giannis Antetokounmpo (2018-19) and James Harden (2017-18) played the fewest games (72) and yet won the MVP title.
Given that Kevin Durant has already missed six games this season, he will miss a total of 19 games if he returns in six weeks (March 1 vs the Raptors). This means he’ll only be able to participate in a total of 57 games this season. This eliminates him from MVP consideration, as the Nets will almost certainly limit his minutes when he returns.
Ja Morant, number ten
Image courtesy of courtesy of Getty Images
NBA Stats for 2021-2022: 24.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Because of his exceptional athleticism and explosiveness, Ja Morant may be the most intriguing player in the NBA this season. Morant has improved practically every element of his game, including his shooting and rebounding, in addition to his physical talents (both career-highs). If he hasn’t already, Ja Morant is going after the league’s top point guards with his increased efficiency and natural clutch gene.
Morant’s MVP chances are dependent on his team’s performance, as the Memphis Grizzlies currently hold the 4th spot in the Western Conference with a 30-15 record. If Memphis can get a top-three seed in the Western Conference, Ja will have a good opportunity to ascend the MVP standings in due time. Since of today, he is ranked in the top ten, as Kevin Durant is no longer a contender.
Zach LaVine (nine)
2021-22 24.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG in the NBA
Zach LaVine has had a significant influence on the Chicago Bulls, who now hold the top seed in the Eastern Conference, with DeMar DeRozan. Nobody anticipated Chicago to beat out the Nets and Bucks for the top place, so DeRozan and LaVine are both deserving of a berth in the MVP contest.
Zach LaVine has put up incredible shooting percentages this season, averaging 49.1 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from three, and 87.2 percent from the free-throw line. The explosive scorer is quickly establishing himself as one of the game’s most dominating offensive players, and he has showed unselfishness in allowing DeRozan to play at a high level. LaVine’s play demonstrates his will to win at any costs.
James Harden (#8)
2021-22 22.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG in the NBA
James Harden has recovered from his early-season problems and is resuming his normal routine. Despite his shooting statistics, The Beard is enjoying a fantastic season on the stat sheet, putting up a double-double (41.9 percent FG, 33.8 percent 3-PT FG). With Kevin Durant sidelined for the most of the season, Harden has a chance to reclaim the MVP award.
Harden has the skill to be in the top five every season, so eighth place isn’t awful. The Beard will most likely have Kyrie Irving available for the remainder of the season, giving him ample support to keep the team in the East’s top two spots. Without Durant, James could be a true MVP favorite if he puts up MVP statistics and secures a top-two seed.
Rudy Gobert (#7)
2021-22 NBA stats: 15.5 points per game, 15.1 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, 2.3 blocks per game
The Utah Jazz are a fantastic squad that competes at a high level on both sides of the court. Because of his explosive scoring abilities, Donovan Mitchell is the team’s greatest player, but Rudy Gobert has been the man this season. Because he is setting career highs in rebounding and field-goal percentage, his influence has been undeniable.
Rudy Gobert has undoubtedly been the most physically powerful player on defense this season, apart from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Because Draymond Green lacks Gobert’s physical size, the Jazz star is a more fearsome defender as a traditional big man. Even though Rudy relies on his teammates for easy looks on offense, his double-double average easily qualifies him as a top-10 MVP contender.
Chris Paul is number six.
The Valley of the Suns is a place where the sun shines brightly
NBA stats for 2021-22: 14.0 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 10.0 assists per game, 2.0 steals per game, and 0.3 blocks per game
Chris Paul, who is almost 37 years old, is still one of the league’s top point guards. Last year, Paul’s presence was a big reason Phoenix made it to the Finals, and they may do it again this year. Even though the Suns were defeated last season, they seem to be eager to return.
Paul’s stats are exceptional for a player of his age, and it’s incredible that he’s already averaging a double-double this early in the season. The Suns are 2.5 games ahead of the Golden State Warriors for the top seed in the Western Conference, thus either Paul or Booker should be in the top ten. Paul gets the nod since he is the main ballhandler and leader.
Joel Embiid (#5)
USATSI
2021-22 NBA stats: 27.2 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, and 1.4 blocks per game
The Philadelphia 76ers are not in the postseason race without Joel Embiid, who is currently playing tremendous basketball (especially without Ben Simmons). The center is putting up incredible statistics all around the court, and he has a huge influence on the game. Embiid is certainly a top-5 player in the MVP race, averaging a career-high in assists and a career-low in turnovers.
The Sixers are expected to make significant moves before the trade deadline this year, which means Embiid might get some more assistance shortly. Philadelphia has a few tradeable assets, such as Simmons and Tobias Harris, and they need to put the finishing touches on getting their franchise hero the guys he needs to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
DeMar DeRozan (#4)
courtesy of Getty Images
2021-22 NBA stats: 25.7 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, and 0.3 blocks per game
DeMar DeRozan has been the most crucial player for the Chicago Bulls this season due to his outstanding scoring. On 48.8% shooting from the field, 35.2 percent from three, and 85.6 percent from the line, the perimeter scorer is averaging 25.7 points a game. DeMar has been on fire in the fourth quarter all season.
The Chicago Bulls presently possess the top seed in the Eastern Conference, putting its best player among the top five contenders for the MVP award. DeMar DeRozan is a virtuoso of the mid-range and has successfully resurrected the Bulls’ fortunes since the days of Derrick Rose’s heyday. DeRozan is a key reason why Bulls supporters are joyful again.
Nikola Jokic is number three.
New Fox24 English (Credit: New Fox24 English)
2021-22 NBA stats: 25.3 points per game, 13.9 rebounds per game, 7.2 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, and 0.8 blocks per game
Nikola Jokic is the game’s most dominating big player right now, as he has an impact on every part of the court every night. The Serbian superstar can easily rack up triple-doubles because to his sheer size, which allows him to collect every rebound off the hoop. His natural abilities make him a brilliant passer and shooter, and he possesses the league’s finest post-game.
Jokic crushes every matchup he is in, and as a result, the game comes too easily to him. When healthy, the Nuggets should be a championship contender, and even without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr, they’re still in the postseason hunt because to their reigning MVP center.
Stephen Curry, No. 2
NBA stats for 2021-22: 26.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 6.0 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, and 0.5 blocks per game
Despite his current shooting slump, Stephen Curry is still the finest point guard in the world right now. Curry’s presence has been very beneficial to the Golden State Warriors, as he continues to put up MVP-caliber statistics in every game. Steph finds a way to league even if he goes cold from three throughout a game.
Curry averages 26.3 points per game while shooting 38.4% from three-point range, excellent stats for a player who faces frequent double and triple teams throughout the year. Golden State does not have a top-two seed in the West and no title prospects without Steph. The Warriors might start adding up more victories after Klay Thompson returns, which could help Curry in the MVP race.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (#1)
2021-22 NBA stats: 28.5 points per game, 11.3 rebounds per game, 6.1 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game, 1.5 blocks per game
Giannis is enjoying again another fantastic season, playing tremendously consistent basketball without going through any slumps. Even Stephen Curry has had to deal with a shooting slump, which The Greek Freak has experienced. The Milwaukee Bucks are following Giannis’ lead and are closing in on the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
Because of Giannis’ effect, the Bucks are just 2.0 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the top record in the Eastern Conference. With Durant out of the picture and Curry likely to miss a few more shots this season, Giannis is in his prime and will be the driving factor behind the Bucks moving close to reaching their second-straight Finals trip.
Next
The All-Time Best NBA Player From Every State: The GOAT Is From New York
In a seven-game series, the Superteam that would defeat Kevin Durant’s All-Time Team
Only eight NBA players have never had a career scoring average of less than 20 points per game.
Who Would Win A 7-Game Series Between An All-Loved Team and An All-Hated Team?
Who Is The Best Power Forward In The NBA? Kevin Durant vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Watch This Video-
The “nba mvp voting” is a list of the NBA MVP Power Rankings. The rankings are updated every week and they also include player statistics, team records, and more.
Related Tags
- mvp race nba
- nba mvp candidates 2021
- nba mvp odds 2021
- where is kevin durant from
