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The Kia NBA MVP race is certainly the most exciting one to follow amongst all the end-of-season NBA awards. It is the most glamorous and also one of the toughest to earn as several superstars look to carry their team to an amazing season record.
A lot of action has unfolded in the past week and many stars have shifted in the MVP odds tracker. Players like Kevin Durant, James Harden, Anthony Davis and LeBron James will probably not receive the votes for the NBA MVP award because of their superstar-studded cast. Meanwhile stars like Damian Lillard, Paul George and Jayson Tatum might be left out due to poor season records if their team continues to be mediocre.
Only seven teams have reached the five-win mark so far this season - New York, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, Washington, Utah and Golden State. Certainly, not everyone from these winning teams will feature in these power rankings because individual statistics and heroic gameplay are what counts towards a player's MVP case.
So without further ado, let's get to Sportskeeda's Kia NBA MVP Power Rankings as of November 1st, 2021.
#5 Joel Embiid
Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - 4th (↓1)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 6; Games won - 4; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 21.0, APG - 2.7, RPG - 9.7
Overall: PPG - 21.0, APG - 3.8, RPG - 8.7
Last Week: FT% - 88%
Overall: FT% - 83%
Joel Embiid has taken a dip in the standings because his performances have as well. He averaged 2.7 blocks per game in the first three games but then dropped to 0.7 blocks per game in the next three. He was shooting at an incredible 46% from downtown on more than four attempts a game in his first three games, which is down to 20% on 3.3 attempts in the next three games. These kinds of stat drops are inevitable to notice.
However, the Philadelphia 76ers are still one of the top teams in the league with or without Ben Simmons. They have a 4-2 record so far. Joel Embiid exploded against the Detroit Pistons for 30 points and 18 rebounds in just 30 minutes.
#4 Luka Doncic
Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 6; Games won - 4; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 21.3, APG - 6.3, RPG - 5.7
Overall: PPG - 22.5, APG - 7.5, RPG - 8.5
Last Week: SPG - 1.3
Overall: SPG - 1.0
Luka Doncic has forced his way into our NBA MVP Power rankings. The Dallas Mavericks have lost against playoff-contending teams and won against non-playoff squads and other team members are struggling. However, Luka Doncic's exploits have carried the team to a 4-2 start in the 2021-22 NBA season. Doncic's biggest Achilles Heel for the NBA MVP case will be his three-point and free-throw efficiency, which are both abysmal right now at 23% and 67% respectively.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old is lighting it up every time he steps foot on the floor. In six games thus far, he has scored over 23 points in four of them. Doncic has had four double-doubles (two with rebounds and two with assists) and two instances where he nearly had a triple-double.
Also Check Out: Complete NBA TV Schedule for 2021-22 Season
#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - 3rd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 7; Games won - 3; Games lost - 4
Last Week: PPG - 30.8, APG - 6.3, RPG - 11.5
Overall: PPG - 27.3, APG - 11.1, RPG - 6.0
Last Week: FT% - 71%, BPG - 1.8
Overall: FT% - 71%, BPG - 1.7
Giannis Antetokounmpo has reached a level where even if he drops MVP-caliber numbers, it seems ordinary to us. He is averaging 27.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 53% from the field including a surprisingly improved 29% from deep. He is also making 71% of his free throws and his free-throw routine has gotten much faster.
Giannis Antetokounmpo cannot be blamed for the Milwaukee Bucks' losing record because he is playing on an injured roster. Despite most of his starters being absent, he is dropped 30 and 11 on everyone trying to carry his team to a win.
#2 Nikola Jokic
Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - 2nd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 6; Games won - 4; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 21.3, APG - 6.0, RPG - 15.0
Overall: PPG - 24.0, APG - 5.5, RPG - 14.8
Last Week: FG% - 57%, 3P% - 44%, SPG - 1.3
Overall: FG% - 61%, 3P% - 42%, SPG - 1.7
Nikola Jokic is back for his MVP exploits. He is averaging 24.0 points per game on an absurd 60.8% shooting from the floor on over 16 attempts a game. The Serbian big man is also shooting an incredible 42.3% clip from downtown. Jokic is dominating every aspect of the floor and is carrying this team to victory despite Jamal Murray's absence. The Joker opens up looks for his teammates and has proven to be one of the clutch players in the league.
He has averaged 15 rebounds in the last four games, including two instances where he dropped 20+ points and 19 rebounds. The reigning MVP Nikola Jokic might win his second one back-to-back if he keeps up his performances throughout the season.
#1 Stephen Curry
Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 6; Games won - 5; Games lost - 1
Last Week: PPG - 26.3, APG - 6.0, RPG - 6.0
Overall: PPG - 28.7, APG - 6.5, RPG - 7.5
Last Week: FT% - 100%, 3P% - 40%
Overall: FT% - 97%, 3P% - 40%
Stephen Curry is not only first in our rankings but has swept most major publications in the world for the top spot. Maximum Vegas oddsmakers now have him as the NBA MVP favorite after six games, and ESPN analysts have given their guarantee that he will win the award. He gave an interview with Inside the NBA on TNT after his win against the LA Clippers where he mentioned that winning the MVP is "always a goal". The Golden State Warriors are 5nowight now, for the top seed in the West.
Stephen Curry also leads the NBA in scoring with 28.7 points per game and is doing so on 42/40/97 shooting splits. The NBA's greatest shooter ever is so lethal from beyond the arc that the 40% mark of distance shooting is considered poor for him. He is also making his free throws at an absurd clip of 97% and in fact, didn't miss a single free throw in his last three games. Curry can technically never have a bad game because he is getting double and triple-teamed 30 feet from the basket, which opens up looks for his teammates.
Guess the Lakers players!
