MVP Rankings - Behind the Arc

As the season is coming to an end, I will discuss the MVP race and give each player their case to win the award. At the end, I will provide my prediction on who will win the award. I have provided a comparison between my top 10 players (in no particular order) and highlighted the best (in green) and worst (in red) numbers for each statistical category within this group of players. The overall rankings take in to account personal stats and achievements along with team success.

Green: Leader of selected group; Red: Worst of selected group; Bold: League Leader

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Stats: 30.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 53.9% FG, 36.5% 3PT, 87.2% FT

Team Record: 52-23, 3rd in Western Conference

Last year, SGA had a breakout season and became a true superstar in this league. This year, he has led the Thunder towards the top of the loaded Western Conference dominating on both ends of the floor. He’s 3rd in points per game (30.3 ppg) having his most efficient season of his career with shooting splits of 53.9/36.5/87.2. He’s led the league in drives the past 4 seasons and can get to any spot he wants to with his unconventional shiftiness and body movement. He opens up the offense with his driving and kicks the ball out to open teammates as he is posting career high in assists with 6.3 per game. He has improved significantly on the defensive end as well, leading the league in steals and deflections and is also 5th in stocks (steals + blocks). The Thunder are on pace for 56 wins and fighting for the number 1 seed in the West, whereas last year they posted 40 wins and missed the playoffs.

2. Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Stats: 33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 48.9% FG, 38.1% 3PT, 78.1% FT

Team Record: 45-30, 5th in Western Conference

Luka is one of the best offensive players in the league and is able to get any shot up that he wants to. He leads the league in points at 33.9 ppg, is 2nd in assists at 9.8 apg, 15th in rebounds at 9.2 rpg, 7th in steals at 1.5 spg, and 3rd in triple-doubles with 20 this season. He is posting career high numbers in points, assists, steals, 3P% (38.1%), and FT% (78.1%). The Mavericks have been inconsistent this year, however, since February 5th they have gone 19-7 and Luka has averaged a triple-double in that span. The reason he isn’t number one on this list is team success and consistency throughout the year.

3. Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

Stats: 26.4 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 57.9% FG, 34.1% 3PT, 82.3% FT

Team Record: 53-23, 1st in Western Conference

Jokic is undoubtedly the best player in the NBA and this season he’s been as dominant as he’s ever been. He led the Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history last season and is looking like a serious threat to win back-to-back titles. He can do anything he wants to on the court and is only 1 assist per game shy of averaging a triple-double over the course of the season. Jokic leads the league in PER (31), is 4th in rebounds (12.3 rpg), 3rd in assists (9 apg), and 2nd in triple-doubles (23). If Jokic wins MVP, it will be his 3rd in the last 4 years, and he should start being considered as one of the all-time greats.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks

Stats: 30.8 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1 BPG, 61.6% FG, 28.6% 3PT, 65.8% FT

Team Record: 47-28, 2nd in Eastern Conference

Even during the turmoil that the Bucks went through this season, Giannis has kept the Bucks from collapsing. The Bucks remain near the top of the East, almost guaranteed to be the 2nd seed in the playoffs. Giannis is averaging a double-double for his 7th season in a row with 30.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He is posting career high numbers in assists (6.5 apg), EFG% (effective field goal percentage) and TS% (true shooting percentage), at 62.9% and 65.3% respectively. He is one of the most physically dominant players in the game and nearly unstoppable in the paint. He is shooting 75.3% from within 5 feet of the basket, and he leads the league in attempts in that range. Out of the 40 players averaging over 20 points per game, Giannis has the highest FG% at 61.6%.

5. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks

Stats: 27.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 6.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 47.5% FG, 39.7% 3PT, 84.2% FT

Team Record: 44-31, 5th in Eastern Conference

Jalen Brunson has arguably had the toughest offensive job in the league. The Knicks have been ravaged with injuries throughout most of the season, and they haven’t had a true secondary playmaker to take some of the load off of Brunson’s hands. Like Giannis, he has kept his team from falling too far down the standings and has a chance to get home-court advantage in the playoffs. This year, he is playing the best basketball of his career with career highs in points (27.8 ppg) and assists (6.6 apg). He is able to take over games and has had dominant offensive performances this year.

The Next Five:

6. Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics

Stats: 27.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 47.4% FG, 38% 3PT, 83.3% FT

Team Record: 59-16, 1st in Eastern Conference

7. Domantis Sabonis – Sacramento Kings

Stats: 19.6 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 8.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 59.9% FG, 38.3% 3PT, 70.6% FT

Team Record: 44-31, 7th in Western Conference

8. Kevin Durant – Phoenix Suns

Stats: 27.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 52.8% FG, 42% 3PT, 85.5% FT

Team Record: 44-31, 8th in Western Conference

9. Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns

Stats: 27.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 49.6% FG, 36.8% 3PT, 88.1% FT