BY: VINCENT MENDOZA / STAFF WRITER
This season has given us one of the most competitive MVP races in NBA history, if not the most competitive. With roughly 20 games left in the 2023-2024 season, there are still five candidates fighting to bring home this year’s Most Valuable Player award. Some factors that play into the rankings of the MVP race are statistics, team success, and the value they bring to their team.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Guard/Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sits at the top of the MVP Ladder. In 61 games played this season, the three-level-scorer is averaging 31.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 6.5 apg on 54.6 percent from the field, 37.7 percent from three, and 88.3 percent from the line. Gilgeous-Alexander has led the third-youngest team in the NBA to a 43-19 record, which is tied for first in the Western Conference.
One of the most impressive things about the 25-year-old guard is that he’s been one of the best players on both ends of the floor. On offense, Gilegous-Alexander is currently leading the NBA in 30-point games with 45, second in total points with 1,863, and second in ppg only behind Luka Dončić in both categories. He also has a 31.8 percent usage rate, which is ranked third in the NBA amongst players who have competed in at least 40 games. On defense, he is leading the NBA in spg (2.2), as well as total steals (129), which is 28 more than Matisse Thybulle at second place with 101 total steals. Gilgeous-Alexander is also ranked 15th in defensive win shares amongst players who have played at least 40 games this season.
Team success outside of record and seeding is also in Gilgeous-Alexander’s favor. This season, SGA has led the Thunder to the fourth highest ranked team in points per game (ppg), averaging 120.9 per night. Oklahoma City is also ranked third in the association in offensive rating (120.2), fifth in defensive rating (112.7), and second in net rating at +7.5.
If Shai and the Thunder keep their foot on the gas, Gilgeous-Alexander will have a very good shot at being the third Thunder player since 2014 to bring home the Kia NBA MVP.
2. Nikola Jokić, Center/Denver Nuggets
After winning two consecutive Most Valuable Player awards in 2021 and 2022, as well as winning the 2023 NBA Championship, many believed the Joker would take a backseat in the regular season. This has not been the case at all.
In 59 games this season, the two-time MVP is averaging 25.9 ppg, 12.3 rpg, and 9.2 apg on 57.9/35/81.8 shooting splits while leading the Nuggets to a 42-20 record, good for third place in the Western Conference. Jokić is also leading the Nuggets in all three statistical categories mentioned above, as well as being second in the NBA in triple doubles totaling 19, only two behind Domantis Sabonis who has 21.
The Nuggets being third in the Western Conference is very impressive due to the fact that starting point guard, Jamal Murray, has missed 16 games this season. Murray has averaged 20.8 ppg (second on team), 4.0 rpg, and 6.5 apg (second on team).
Nikola Jokić could easily take over and average a 30-point triple double, however, that’s not his mission. Jokić is doing just enough to ensure the Nuggets maintain a high seed, and that they’re ready to make another championship push heading into the playoffs.
3. Luka Dončić, Guard/Dallas Mavericks
Five-time All-Star Luka Dončić has been sensational for the Dallas Mavericks this season. Throughout 53 games, Dončić has averaged 34.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 9.8 apg, and 1.4 spg on 49.6/37.8/78.5 shooting splits. Dončić is leading the Mavericks in all major statistical categories by a wide margin, besides bpg. With these numbers, the 24-year-old from Slovenia should easily be the front-runner, but team success has prevented that.
The Dallas Mavericks are sitting at the eight seed in the Western Conference totaling 34 wins and 28 losses. Dallas has had struggles this season including battles with injuries and poor play on the defensive end which are probable contributors to why the Mavericks are so low in the standings. The Mavericks rank 22nd in the NBA in defensive rating, and 24th in opponent points per game. So even though they have the seventh best offensive rating and rank sixth in points per game, their below-average defense prevents them from winning more games.
Eight-time All-Star and 2016 NBA Champion Kyrie Irving has missed 22 games this season. In 40 games of action, Irving has put up 25.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Irving ranks second behind Dončić in every major statistical category besides bpg. His absence has put more weight on the shoulders of Dončić. Out of anyone who has played a minimum of 35 games, Dončić has the largest usage rate in the league at 35.4 percent.
Although Dončić is currently ranked third, there is still time for the Mavericks to climb the standings, as they are only three games back from being the fifth seed in the West. The last time a player won MVP that wasn’t on a top three team in their respective conference was Russell Westbrook in his historic triple-double MVP campaign in 2017. If Dončić continues to put up similar stats to what he’s been doing all season, combined with the Mavs jumping up in the standings, Dončić could very possibly be named the 2024 Kia NBA MVP.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward/Milwaukee Bucks
Former two-time MVP, 2021 NBA Champion, and eight-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to dominate the league. Even with the Bucks having a shaky first half of the season, the Greek Freak has led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 41-22 record and the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Throughout 60 games, Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.7 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.3 spg, and 1 bpg on an extremely efficient 61.8 percent from the field.
Amongst the team, Antetokounmpo ranks first in ppg, rpg, and spg, and second in apg and bpg. Comparing him to the rest of the league, he is third in ppg and sixth in rpg. Antetokounmpo has done an outstanding job carrying offensive load for Milwaukee, leading them to the fourth best offensive rating in the NBA at 119.8, and second best in team ppg at 121.4. Antetokounmpo is also ranked second in the league in usage rate for players who have played a minimum of 40 games at 31.9 percent.
Similar to Gilgeous-Alexander, the Greek Freak’s play on both ends of the floor brings an immense amount of value to Milwaukee, which is something a majority of players do not bring to the table at Antetokounmpo’s magnitude.
If Antetokounmpo and the Bucks continue playing how they have post-All-Star break, he has a great chance of moving up in the ladder and possibly take home his third career MVP.
5. Jayson Tatum, Forward/Boston Celtics
The former third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft Jayson Tatum has continued to show that he can perform at an MVP level. Tatum has led the Boston Celtics to a 48-13 record and a number one seed in the Eastern Conference. In 58 games, Tatum has averaged 27.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, and 4.8 ppg on 47.6 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from behind the arc, and 82.9 percent from the stripe.
Although this to be a down year statistically for Tatum on the offense end, his defense has improved tremendously. Amongst players who have played a minimum of 40 games thus far, Tatum ranks sixth in defensive win shares. This means that whenever Tatum is on the court, the Celtics’ defensive abilities increase by a large margin.
Throughout NBA history, the MVP has often been awarded to the best player on the best team in the league. This year that would be Jayson Tatum. However, the case for Tatum this year has been received differently. The Boston Celtics are considered by many to be a superteam. Because of how well the Celtics’ star-studded cast has performed this season, Tatum’s value to the team is in question.
Outside of Tatum, the Celtics’ starting lineup is:
PG: Jrue Holiday - 2021 NBA Champ, two-time All-Star, five-time All-Defense
SG: Derrick White - 2023 All-Defense, averaging 15.3 ppg, 4 rpg, 4.9 apg, and 2.2 stocks (steals + blocks)
SF: Jaylen Brown - Three-time All-Star, 2023 All-NBA, averaging 22.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg on 50 percent from the field
C: Kristaps Porzingis - Averaging 20.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg on 52.5/37.8/86.1 shooting splits as a 7’2” center that can stretch the floor at an elite level
Unfortunately, the Celtics’ being so well-rounded and dominant on offense and defense is Tatum’s biggest fault for not winning MVP. However, Tatum’s greatness this season should not go unnoticed.