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The NBA MVP race is picking up steam, and the community is heavily debating about the potential winner. Most fans and analysts believe Stephen Curry is the frontrunner, but a few expect Kevin Durant to win the award.
The likes of Jimmy Butler, Paul George and Zach LaVine have fallen off the race lately, while Chris Paul has entered the fray. DeMar DeRozan didn't feature in the latest NBA MVP Power Rankings, but appears in this one.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have lost three of their last five games. Although Chris Paul's playmaking has been consistent, his scoring has taken a hit. He is averaging 14.2 points per game, the lowest of his 16-year career.
Paul is also surprisingly averaging just 83% from the charity stripe after leading the league in FT% last season. He is sixth in the race at the moment, and might reappear in the top five down the line.
So without further ado, here's a look at the top five players in our NBA MVP power rankings:
#5 DeMar DeRozan
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 24; Games lost - 10
Last Week: PPG - 27.8, APG - 7.3, RPG - 5.3
Overall: PPG - 26.8, APG - 4.6, RPG - 5.1
Last Week: 3P% - 66.7%, SPG - 0.8
Overall: 3P% - 37.3%, SPG - 0.9.
DeMar DeRozan is rightfully dubbed 'King of the Fourth'. He is leading the NBA in fourth-quarter points (232), and is doing so on unbelievable 53/54/88 shooting splits.
In clutch moments, especially the dying minutes of games when teams are separated by less than five points, DeRozan has registered 56/100/96 splits. He is also the only player in NBA history with game-winning three-pointers in back-to-back games.
He beat the buzzer to win the last two games, against the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards.
The Chicago Bulls are the first seed in the Eastern Conference, and DeMar DeRozan is a major reason for that. The only reason why he isn't ranked higher in the NBA MVP ladder is because his teammate Zach LaVine has put up an MVP-caliber season himself.
#4 Nikola Jokic
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 3rd (↓1)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 18; Games lost - 16
Last Week: PPG - 24.0, APG - 5.3, RPG - 17.3
Overall: PPG - 25.7, APG - 7.0, RPG - 13.9
Last Week: FG% - 45.5%, SPG - 2.0, BPG - 1.3
Overall: FG% - 56.2%, SPG - 1.4, BPG - 0.8.
The reigning MVP Nikola Jokic might not win his second NBA MVP trophy this season, but is making still making headlines despite his team underwhelming.
He has been so historically great that it is impossible to ignore his exploits. The Denver Nuggets play like the worst team in NBA history when Jokic goes off the floor, but they are a top-five offense with Jokic playing. He currently has a PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of 32.2, which would shatter the All-Time record of 31.8.
A depleted Denver Nuggets squad took on the league-best Golden State Warriors on the road. They came out with a victory, thanks to a game-sealing block by Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets are fifth in the West, with an above .500 record despite missing two of three best players - Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Jokic also averaged a monster 17.3 rebounds per game last week, with two outings of 20+ boards.
#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week's NBA MVP Power Ranking - 4th (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 38; Games won - 25; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 33.0, APG - 6.5, RPG - 11.5
Overall: PPG - 27.8, APG - 5.9, RPG - 11.6
Last Week: FG% - 58.5, BPG - 1.3, SPG - 1.0
Overall: FG% - 53.7, BPG - 1.5, SPG - 1.1.
Giannis Antetokounmpo might win another NBA MVP trophy this season. He is putting up historic numbers, and has shown no signs of slowing down.
He recently recorded his 27th career triple double, his second of the season, against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Milwaukee Bucks are back in the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference despite the absence of several players.
The Greek Freak is putting up a DPOY-caliber season, and could add another feather to his already-illustrious cap. Basketball-Reference purely uses numbers and statistics to analyze the NBA MVP race; its tracker has given a 30% chance (1st) for Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the award.
#2 Kevin Durant
Previous week’s NBA MVP Power Ranking - 2nd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 23; Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 30.5, APG - 3.5, RPG - 7.5
Overall: PPG - 29.8, APG - 5.7, RPG - 7.9
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, FT% - 72.7%, BPG - 1.0
Overall: FG% - 52.2%, FT% - 87.7%, BPG - 0.9.
Kevin Durant's three-point shooting has suddenly tanked this season. From averaging 45% from downtown last season, he is now shooting at 37% from that range.
He is still leading the league in scoring, though, and might win his fifth scoring title this season. Durant's NBA MVP case might take a hit when Kyrie Irving returns, as he will no longer be solely responsible for the Brooklyn Nets' wins.
The narrative has always been that one player cannot be the MVP when he has two teammates averaging over 20 points a game.
Nevertheless, Durant is still performing at an extremely high level despite suffering an Achilles injury two years ago. That's an injury that has ended many players' careers over the years.
The Brooklyn Nets are the second seed in the East, and are the current conference favorites, despite the Bucks being the reigning NBA champions.
#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 - 35; Games won - 28; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 32.5, APG - 5.8, RPG - 4.5
Overall: PPG - 27.7, APG - 6.0, RPG - 5.3
Last Week: 3P% - 42.9, SPG - 1.3
Overall: 3P% - 40.0, SPG - 1.5.
It is difficult to argue against Stephen Curry's NBA MVP case right now. He is leading the Golden State Warriors to the best record in the NBA, and is averaging the third-highest points per game (27.7) this season.
The Warriors have missed key players all season, but have still managed to grab wins against top teams. They are coming off a statement win against the healthy Utah Jazz, despite missing DPOY-favorite Draymond Green.
Like most MVPs, Curry has been extremely clutch for the Warriors this season, sinking game-tying, go-ahead and game-winning shots.
He recently surpassed Ray Allen for the most three-pointers in NBA history. and also broke his own record of most consecutive games with threes made. Curry has the NBA's most 40 and 50-point games this season.
Poll : Will Stephen Curry win MVP?
Yes
No
72 votes
