NBA MVP Race 2019-20: December Power Rankings

With Christmas right around the corner, we have had ample basketball action to consume and make our individual picks for the heated NBA MVP race. From a collective standpoint, the Milwaukee Bucks have created major separation from the Los Angeles Lakers at the top, as the purple-and-gold have now dropped three straight. On the other hand, the surging runs for Milwaukee have only solidified the Greek Freak's chances of an MVP repeat this year around.

Following a blistering tip-off to individual campaigns all across the league, the past week has witnessed a drastic fallout of potential leaders to unfortunate injuries. And expectedly so, the NBA MVP Power Rankings shall also see a minor shuffle in the ranks.

Let's take a look at the front runners for the MVP hardware as we near the end of 2019.

#5 Anthony Davis

Davis missed the Pacers game due to a right ankle sprain

The Lakers' heavy dependency on Anthony Davis' scoring became fairly apparent when their 14-game road winning streak came to an end in Indiana during his absence. The 26-year-old is leading the squad with blazing averages of 27.7 points and 9.4 blocks per game.

Moreover, his 2.6 swats per matchup and active defensive presence have landed him in the discussion for the DPOY award as well. Attempting over 19 shots per game, AD is shooting at a respectable 50% clip from the field. Having missed only one game so far, Davis' will to gut it out for his team in crunch situations has been truly commendable.

He is the best free-throw shooter (87%) on the Lakers squad by a fair margin and leads the league in blocks as well. The Brow is arguably the most talented teammate LeBron James has ever had the chance to share the court with.

#4 Luka Doncic

Doncic has taken his game to stratospheric levels

Before suffering a nasty ankle twist against the Miami Heat, Luka Doncic was putting together phenomenal numbers. His near-triple-double averages are good enough to keep him afloat on the NBA MVP Power Rankings, despite missing four games in a row.

His 29.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game have put him on course to bag a surefire All-Star berth come February. Doncic has been leading the Dallas Mavericks out of their shadows and into playoff contention with his immaculate shot-making abilities.

The 20-year-old is expected to return to the lineup soon after Christmas, but his team has really held its end in the meantime, having beaten the Bucks in Milwaukee.

#3 LeBron James

LeBron missed his first game of the season due to a thoracic muscle strain

The Lakers reported that LeBron James suffered a pull in the rib cage area during the Pacers clash and played through for the marquee clash against the Bucks. As a result, James had to miss the first game of the season and his team had to undergo their third straight defeat, the latest one coming against the Denver Nuggets.

However, none of the above have deterred Bron from posting impressive individual stats in year 17 of his career. Even after 29 games into the season, LeBron is leading the league with 10.6 assists per game. The 35-year-old is also averaging 25.8 points and 7.5 rebounds, on an efficient 49.6% shooting from the floor.

He is playing almost 35 minutes per contest this year but looks sharp enough to make a solid title run down the stretch.

#2 James Harden

Harden has been a scoring machine this year

James Harden has stacked up a mountain of 1,124 points this season, which is the most by a player in 29 games since Ricky Barry's 1,134 back in the 1966-67 season. His most recent 47-point performance against the Phoenix Suns was his 89th 40-point game - fourth-most in NBA history.

His historic scoring tear has seen an inhuman average of 38.8 points per game (league's best), on 45% shooting from the floor this year. The Beard is making free throws at an imposing 88% conversion rate, along with 5.8 boards, 7.5 dimes and 1.9 steals per matchup.

Coupled with an explosive Russell Westbrook, Harden's scoring has resulted in three straight wins for his team, as they climb the West standings to a third spot.

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is leading a revolution down in Milwaukee

Giannis Antetokounmpo has surged to become a worthy successor for when LeBron exits the NBA limelight. He carries the work ethic and elite talent needed to be the face of the NBA for the coming decade.

The reigning MVP is averaging career-high numbers in 31.4 points and 12.7 rebounds, on 57% shooting from the floor. Against the Lakers, Giannis also dropped a career-high five three-pointers and made sure the league knew who the best player is.

Riding on Antetokounmpo's sheer greatness, the Bucks have only lost one of their last 22 games. His intensity on both ends of the court is infectious. He tops the NBA MVP Power Rankings for this month while his team boasts of a league-leading 27-4 (0.871) on the heels of his inspirational leadership.