For ten years now, USA Basketball offers you every Tuesday its Top 5 candidates for the “Most Valuable Player” trophy. Today, after six months of weekly articles, we close the chapter on the race for MVP 2023 by an inventory of this one and a close-up on our three favorites, in order: Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic And Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Who of the pivot of Sixerssecond in the vote in 2021 then 2022, the pivot of nuggetswinner in 2021 then 2022, or the strong winger of bucks, winner in 2019 then 2020, should win? To decide, focus on the arguments that plead in favor of each contender for the “Michael Jordan Trophy”.
Joel Embiid (Sixers)
Assessment: 54 wins, 28 losses – 3rd in the East.
Matches: 66 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 33.1 pts, 10.2 reb, 4.2 pds, 1.0 int, 1.7 ctr and 3.4 pdb in 35 min.
Percentages: 55% shooting, 33% 3-pt and 86% throwing.
Why him ?
– ‘Cause he’s stronger than ever. Like last season, Joel Embiid finished as the league’s leading scorer, but this time around he did so by setting his scoring and address records, in addition to leading Philadelphia to a total of 54 wins: a first since… 2001! The bar was already high, but the All-Star pivot has therefore raised it a notch above and, at now 29 years old, we tell ourselves that he cannot remain in the club of monsters never decorated individually, while he plays the best basketball of his career and may well be the most dominant player in the league.
– Because the dynamic speaks for itself. Unlike Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid finished his season very strongly. To the point of chaining 10 games in a row to 30 points or more in March, signing a series of 8 straight wins in March as well, then planting 52 points on the Celtics in early April. What strongly mark the minds of voters just before they submit their vote…
– Because he finished second twice. In 2021 and then in 2022, Joel Embiid found himself each time behind Nikola Jokic in the MVP vote. In the event of a new runner-up spot, he would imitate Jerry West, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and James Harden, who also finished in 2nd place three times in this poll. A worthy successor to Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson or Shaquille O’Neal, in the category of pivots who have imposed their domination over others. All these interiors have also been MVP and left their eternal second costume at least once, so…
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Assessment: 53 wins, 29 losses – 1st in the West.
Matches: 69 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 24.5 pts, 11.8 reb, 9.8 pds, 1.3 int, 0.7 ctr and 3.6 pdb in 34 min.
Percentages: 63% on shots, 38% at 3-pts and 82% on throws.
Why him ?
– Because he is exceptional in attack. On the verge of triple-double average, leader in a package of advanced statistics and more effective than ever in shooting, Nikola Jokic once again displayed all his class and his dominance offensively. A true UFO of the orange ball, considered by some to be the modern Larry Bird, but in an interior body, the Serb is the hub of the Nuggets’ game, the one without whom the team loses ground (5-8 in his absence ), and the influence he has on her is arguably greater than anyone else in the league. A very advanced “valuable” side, therefore.
– Because Denver is the leader in the West. He’s been criticized at times for not ranking high enough with the Nuggets, including last year when he finished 6th in the West, but this time around Nikola Jokic has guided his team to the top of their conference. A first in the history of the franchise, in more than 50 years of existence!
– Because we must not forget the first five months of competition. If Nikola Jokic certainly struggled a bit at the end of the season, when first place was almost in his pocket and the whole Denver team let go a little, let’s remember all the same that he came close to perfection during five months, averaging as many as 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists at the start of March as Denver headed for a season-high 60 wins. At that moment, the “Joker” seemed untouchable and we already imagined him succeeding Bill Russell and Larry Bird, the only two players to have won three MVP titles in a row. To see if the voters will make him pay for his slight individual and collective slack.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Assessment: 58 wins, 24 losses – 1st in the East.
Matches: 63 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 31.1 pts, 11.8 reb, 5.7 pds, 0.8 int, 0.8 ctr and 3.9 pdb in 32 min.
Percentages: 55% shooting, 28% 3-pt and 65% throwing.
Why him ?
– Because you shouldn’t trivialize your performance. Like Michael Jordan or LeBron James before him, Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to have been causing a feeling of weariness among voters for a few years. Constantly above the 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists average for five years, he has especially just completed his best season statistically, but few are those who put him up to Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic in the race. to the MVP 2023. However, they are only five to have shot in 30/10/5 on average: Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Russell Westbrook.
– Because he kept Milwaukee at a level of excellence. Despite a Khris Middleton more often absent than present with the Bucks (only 33 out of 82 games), Giannis Antetokounmpo managed to lead his team to the top of the Eastern Conference and above 70% of victories, while competition from the Celtics (even of the Sixers) was strong. No matter who surrounds him, the “Greek Freak” is a hit and pulls the Wisconsin franchise to the top and that’s all we expect from an MVP: shine and win, in good times and in bad times. .
– Because he is a reference in defense. Like Joel Embiid, in a different register, but especially more than Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo never ceases to impress defensively. No coincidence that some would see him win his second Defender of the Year title in a few weeks. Whether in help or on the man, the Greek is essential to the defense of Mike Budenholzer, once again in the Top 5 of the most effective thanks to his versatility, his size, his arm length and his mobility. A rare specimen, quite simply.
Which five names come next?
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Assessment: 57 wins, 25 losses – 2nd in the East.
Matches: 74 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 30.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 4.6 pds, 1.1 int, 0.7 ctr and 2.9 pdb in 37 min.
Percentages: 47% on shots, 35% at 3-pts and 85% on throws.
Domantas Sabonis (Kings)
Assessment: 48 wins, 34 losses – 3rd in the West.
Matches: 79 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 19.1 pts, 12.3 reb, 7.3 pds, 0.8 int, 0.5 ctr and 2.9 pdb in 35 min.
Percentages: 62% on shots, 37% at 3-pts and 74% on throws.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
Assessment: 40 wins, 42 losses – 10th in the West.
Matches: 68 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 31.4 pts, 4.8 reb, 5.5 ft, 1.6 int, 1.0 ctr and 2.8 ft in 36 min.
Percentages: 51% on shots, 35% at 3-pts and 91% on throws.
Donovan Mitchell (Horsemen)
Assessment: 51 wins, 31 losses – 4th in the East.
Matches: 68 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 28.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.4 pds, 1.5 int, 0.4 ctr and 2.6 pdb in 36 min.
Percentages: 48% on shots, 39% at 3-pts and 87% on throws.
Luka Doncic (Mavericks)
Assessment: 38 wins, 44 losses – 11th in the West.
Matches: 66 disputed out of 82 possible.
Statistics: 32.4 pts, 8.6 reb, 8.0 pds, 1.4 int, 0.5 ctr and 3.6 pdb in 36 min.
Percentages: 50% on shots, 34% on 3-pts and 74% on throws.
