Kendrick Perkins discounts Luka Doncic’s stellar performance putting him in front for MVP race: “I think we’ve been disrespecting Jokic a little bit”

This season's MVP battle might be the toughest one in the past decade. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant and others playing at such a high level, voters are going to have a tough time.

If all of these players continue to stay healthy and produce at this level, voting for the MVP can end up going in multiple directions. ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins always gives his thoughts about which players are playing the best. He's praised all of these guys. Whether it's Giannis, Luka, Tatum, Embid, Jokic or Durant, Perkins makes sure he gives them a shoutout.

On NBC Sports Boston, Perkins said that Nikola Jokic, the reigning two-time MVP, keeps getting counted out.

“I think we’ve been disrespecting Jokic a little bit,” Perkins said.

His most recent shoutout was for Luka Doncic after putting up a 60-point, 21-rebound triple-double in Tuesday's 126-121 overtime win over the New York Knicks. That game is being talked about as one of the most impressive games in NBA history.

"I’ve played with a lot Hall of Famers and seen some all time great performances… but what I just witnessed from Luka Doncic was one of the greatest individual performances I’ve ever seen in my damn life!!!! Don’t mind me tho and Carry on…" Perkins tweeted.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic making argument to be 2022-23 NBA MVP

Luka Doncic is putting together a great MVP resume. He's posted 50- and 60-point performances in two of his last three games and is averaging 33.6 points per game. Not only is he averaging that many points, but he's shooting an impressive 50.6% and averaging 8.7 rebounds and 8.8 assists.

Executives around the league knew that Luka could put together this type of season before the year even started. What he showed last season, especially in the playoffs, made it evident that he was going to be one of the top players in basketball in the coming years.

A Western Conference executive had the following to say about Luka winning the MVP award this season in an ESPN survey.

"This is as wide-open of a field as you could possibly have, because Giannis and (Stephen) Curry are back in the equation," said a Western Conference executive.

"But I'll take Luka. His numbers will be super high. (Christian) Wood will help. They're going to win 50-plus games. ... Losing (guard) Jalen Brunson (to the Knicks in the offseason) stinks, (but) whatever (Doncic's) usage was last year, which was already off the charts, it will only boost his chances."

Luka will have to continue playing at a high level if he wants to win the award. The Mavericks (19-16) are seventh in the Western Conference. That could come back to hurt him, but most realize that he doesn't have much help on his current team.

Dallas has a few above-average role players, but it's missing that second star. If the Mavericks can finish in the top five in the West, there's a good chance that Luka will walk away with the MVP award.