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The 2019-20 regular season has taken off in stunning fashion. Despite a lengthy list of stars who are missing NBA time due to injuries, the quality of basketball hasn't taken a dip across the 15+ games played so far.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers are leading their respective conferences, while their megastars are living up their reputations.
From an individual standpoint, the contest to bag the MVP hardware has a bunch of new entries this year around, with two firm favourites who just might edge past the others yet again. Let's take a look at how the MVP leaderboard sits as we enter the sixth week of NBA action.
#5 Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has been a welcome addition to the Los Angeles Lakers roster on both ends of the floor. His clutch plays down the stretch have often pulled LeBron James and the Lakers out of danger.
With his three-point shot falling at a 36% conversion rate, AD has been the difference-maker for his squad when the game is hanging in the balance. In his bid to protect the paint for the purple-and-gold on a nightly basis, The Brow is averaging a career-best 2.9 swats and 1.5 steals per game.
On the offensive end of the floor, AD is shooting over 48% from the field and averaging 25.1 points per game.
Despite the fact that his shoulder has been bugging him all year long, Davis has no signs of slowing down in his new uniform. The Lakers' 15-2 record is currently the best in the league, and the 26-year-old has been an integral part of their journey on the road as well as at home.
#4 LeBron James
At 35 years of age, LeBron James is only getting better at the different aspects of the game. His career-high assists average of 11.0 per game is currently the best in the NBA. The King is averaging solid numbers in 25.6 points and 7.4 rebounds, on 49.3% shooting from the field, to go along with his impeccable consistency in dropping dimes.
The return of his 'defensive twitch' is a major reason his team possesses the best defense in the league. LeBron has been taking and making some of the most crunch shots for his squad, showing why he is still the best player on the planet even in his 17th year.
He has played over 35 minutes per contest (top 10 in the NBA) across the 17 games played so far, and is attempting a team-high 19.8 shots per game from the field.
#3 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic has been at the epicenter of records ever since this year tipped off. Averaging almost a triple-double in the 16 games he has played this year, the Slovenian phenom is tearing defenses apart with utmost brutality almost every game.
He has been attempting almost nine free-throws per game, helping build his career-high scoring average of 30.1 points, which is also the third best in the NBA.
Moreover, Doncic is posting numbers like 10.1 rebounds and 9.8 assists per matchup, while making it all look like a cakewalk at just 20 years of age. Dallas Mavericks are way higher on the East standings (11-5, 4th seed) than they're supposed to be, and it's all because of a Slovenian kid they traded for during the 2018 draft.
#2 James Harden
James Harden is once again putting on a scoring clinic for his fans, making it hard for the experts to continue hating his style of play. The Beard has managed to surpass his scoring average from last year, dropping 37.9 points per game across the 17 games played to this point.
For those who like to pick his defensive effort apart, Harden is posting around 1.5 steals per game (top 10 in the league).
He is attempting a near-career-high 24.2 shots from the field while playing at a league-best usage rate of 37.2 minutes per contest.
There is no stopping his elite offensive mindset. And considering the rate at which he is getting buckets, Harden might be in line to bag the second MVP award of his career.
#1 Giannis Antetokoumpo
After posting a monster stat-line of 50 points, 14 boards, 6 assists and 2 steals in his most recent showdown against the Utah Jazz, Giannis Antetokounmpo has got to be considered the most dominant presence on the court.
He has led his team to the top of the West standings, and in the process racked up numbers that are unheard of. The Greek Freak is currently hosting superhuman averages in 31.1 points, 13.9 boards and 6.4 assists per game, all of which are career-highs.
He is shooting at an ultra-efficient conversion rate of 56.3% from the field, along with averaging a career-best 1.6 steals per game on the defensive end of the floor.
Giannis' effort and impact on the court cannot be put into words. It is only those who are at the receiving end of his wrath that can fully appreciate his talents.
