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Now that we find ourselves at the 20-game mark of the NBA 2019-20 regular season, the MVP ladder looks fixated on a certain group of special talents. While the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks still lead their respective conferences, many teams have staked their claim to the throne whenever given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the league's megastars haven't failed to amaze us with some quality basketball and elite shot-making. As a result, the MVP bracket for this week comprises of players of varied shapes and sizes, with one glaring common attribute being their immaculate basketball IQ.
As is the norm, the MVP hardware shuts its doors for the postseason showdowns, but looking at how the individual matchups are stacking up, it'll be a delight to watch these unique skillsets go against each other for the Larry O'Brien.
Without further ado, let's dive into the MVP Power Rankings and take stock of where the players sit at this point.
#5 Anthony Davis
Headlined by a 41-point masterpiece (most ever in a return game) against his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Davis has been nothing short of sensational for the purple-and-gold. The Brow has been guarding the paint for the Los Angeles Lakers with sincerity and fueling their transition offense on a nightly basis.
He is tied with Jonathan Isaac as the league-leader in blocks per game(2.8), as he posts awe-inspiring numbers in 26.1 points and 9.3 boards per game, along with a robotic 88% shooting from the FT line as well. The six-time All-star has been a one-man wrecking ball for the Lakers at times when the matchups were hanging in the balance and his team needed a spark.
Despite the lingering shoulder issues, AD's attention to detail on the defensive end has been off the charts. He has never backed down from the challenge of making crunch plays down the stretch for his team, which shows his commitment to the greater good.
#4 LeBron James
With the three-ball falling at a more consistent rate, LeBron James is looking dangerous in his newest avatar as a pass-first point guard. Owing to his wrecking drives to the basket, slick lobs and steadfast defense, the 17-year veteran has been a menace for teams that have tried to figure him out.
The 3-time NBA champion is posting all-round numbers like 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and a league-leading 10.9 dimes per matchup across the 20 games played so far. He is one of the two major reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers have rose to the top of the West standings and stayed there for so long to begin their 2019-20 campaign.
He has really worked on his body and looks in the best shape of his life. Despite the numerous bumps he is taking on a daily basis, the King is yet to show any signs of slowing down.
#3 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic's sophomore year only keeps getting better. He is setting the gold standard for young guys who come in the league and are desperate to make a mark for themselves at an early stage. The Slovenian baller has been driving a wave of uncharacteristic success for the long-forgotten Dallas Mavericks franchise.
They recently ended the Lakers 10-game winning streak and did it in convincing fashion on the road. Much of the credit for the their surge goes to Doncic's basketball IQ and the way he incorporates every single player on the court into the scheme of things. The Mavericks(13-6) are playing better than their roster's collective talent pool should allow, and Luka has been at the production epicenter.
He is averaging a near-triple-double of 30.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game, on 48.3% shooting from the floor, and in the process, is turning the Mavs into a serious threat in the West.
#2 James Harden
Recently against the Atlanta Hawks, James Harden became the only the third player after Klay Thompson and Kobe Bryant to have scored 60 points in three quarters in the past 25 seasons. Moreover, his 4th career 6-point game tied him with Michael Jordan for third most in the history of the NBA after Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain. This is what teammate Austin Rivers had to say about Harden.
"What he's doing has not been seen. My man had 60 and didn't play the fourth quarter. Name another player who could do that right now."
The Bearded Assassin has been conjuring all sorts of troubles for opponents in the league so far. Teams are throwing multiple bodies at him and trying various defensive schemes to contain him, but the man just doesn't seem to slow down.
With the Rockets having now won seven of their last ten matchups, Harden is averaging a career-best 38.9 points, along with 7.8 assists and 5.9 rebounds per contest.
#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo's heroics have led the Milwaukee Bucks to an imposing ten-game winning streak, with their next matchup scheduled against the ailing New York Knicks. The Greek Freak is going from strength to strength with every passing game, dominating multiple defenders in the paint single-handedly.
He is currently averaging 30.9 points, 13.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, all of which are career-best numbers. Not only has he blazed the trail for his team through the first 20 games of the season, the 25-year-old reigning MVP looks determined to keep Milwaukee at the top of the standings for as long as he can.
Giannis is second in the NBA in scoring while his rebounding numbers are only bested by three players.
Guess the Lakers players!
