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With the NBA's regular season coming to the end, we have seen some incredible performances from different players, be it rookies or veterans. And with these spectacular performances, comes the predictions on who is going to be the MVP (Most Valuable Player) this year. As the season has progressed, there have been a number of changes to the top names in contention for the award.
Well, that happens because having a debate on MVP candidates early in the season just by looking on players previous records leaves a very little margin for other players who have the mantle in them to perform at a high level through the ongoing regular season. Now with only two weeks left in the regular season, and after watching players perform, it seems like the right time for this argument.
So here are the top 5 players that should be in contention for this year's MVP race.
#5. Kevin Durant
Durant's impact was felt right from his rookie season (2007-08) with the Seattle Supersonics where he fetched Rookie of the Year Award. Durant was seen enhancing his leadership skills and taking his team (OKC) to the playoffs for 6 years including the NBA Finals in 2011-12 and winning the MVP Award in 2013-14 season, after which he was traded to Golden State Warriors in 2016 where he has won two NBA titles along with NBA Finals MVP Award in 2017 and 2018.
Currently, he's averaging 26.8 points, 6.5 rebounds with 5.7 assists per game and he also boosts the defense on a regular basis with a block or two every now and then.#3
#4. Joel Embiid
Having been drafted in 2014 as the 3rd pick overall in round one by the Philadelphia 76ers, Embiid's career came to a standstill because of his injury in the right foot's navicular bone due to which he could not play the whole 2014-15 as well as the 2015-16 season. But when he returned, he made his impression on both sides of the floor and currently he's one of the best centers playing in the NBA.
Currently he's averaging 27.5 points and 13.8 rebounds (2nd in the NBA right now) along with 1.9 blocks per game, carrying his team on his shoulders and if all goes the same way for the rest of this season, the 76ers will be the 3rd seed from the Eastern Conference in the NBA playoffs this year.
3. Paul George
Paul George has always been a great player with high basketball IQ and this year he has been nothing but sensational. He's one of the frontrunners for the MVP race and for good reason. Its easy to see how confident he's with his game at the moment and its the reason he's producing the goods every night. With OKC suffering from Westbrook's poor shooting this season, he has stepped up big and has embraced his leadership role. And more importantly, he has started to take a feel for when he can take over a game and understanding how to do it in the flow of the game.
Currently, he's averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He's also leading the NBA in steals with 2.2 steals per game.
#2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak, Giannis, has played better basketball than most this season and has been phenomenal from start to finish, winning games and leading his team beyond expectations, putting up numbers that are just ridiculous in the best sense possible. He has been the main facilitator of the Milwaukee Bucks roster, leading them to have the best record in the NBA right now and having a career year for himself. He influences the game more than anybody else on both offensive as well as the defensive side of the floor.
Currently, he's averaging 27.4 points (6th in the league), 12.6 rebounds (5th in the league) with 6 assists per game. On the defensive side he averages 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.
#1. James Harden
James Harden has been carrying the load all year long, unlike anything we have seen in the modern era of basketball. When Chris Paul and Clint Capela were out, the whole Rockets team fell back on Harden and put the team on his back and delivered win after win. Having a 40 points streak for 10 games with 42% shooting from downtown along with two 60+ points games, this guy is on another level. Harden's surge has helped the Rockets crawl out of an early hole and climb up to 4th in the Western Conference.
Currently, he's averaging 36.4 points leading the NBA, 6.4 rebounds and 7.5 assists (5th in the league). He has been on an extreme run for quite a while now making him as the most favourable choice for the Most Valuable Player this season, which will make it 2 in 2 for The Beard.
