Entering the 13th week of the 2019-2020 NBA season, superstars from both sides of the league give it their all to help their team win, with the hopes of winning a championship ring. The players that have the most value to a team’s success is considered in the race for NBA MVP. The winner of the most valuable player award for last year’s season was Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although he leads the race for this year’s MVP race, there are many candidates with the potential to dethrone him.
1.Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milaukee Bucks
Season Stats: 29.8 PTS, 12.8 REB, 5.5 AST, 35-6 Record
The reigning 2018-2019 KIA NBA MVP, Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo, leads the way for this year’s race. This beast is easily number one due to his ability to dominate everyone and everything in his path. Antetokounmpo, in the entire league, is second in points per game (29.8), sixth in rebounds per game (12.8), and first in efficiency (34.2). Giannis has yet to win a ring, and his desire to capture one fuels his ability to become the most valuable player in the league. His supporting cast has been nonexistent besides Khris Middleton, but I believe that Antetokounmpo has the ability to make everyone around him better. The skill and leadership that pushes his teammates to be their best possible versions of themselves, is the reason why they have the best record in the Eastern Conference. All of this combined easily makes him the front-runner for the MVP award.
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Season Stats: 29.1 PTS, 9.7 REB, 9.0 AST, 24-15 Record
Luka Doncic is having one of the most impressive starts to a season for a sophomore player that I have ever seen in my life. Doncic almost averages a 30-point triple double, every game, and he is only 20 years old! Last year he won rookie of the year, and this year he has the ability to become the most valuable player in the entire league. Luka’s supporting cast is similar to Antetokounmpo’s. Kristap Porzingis is the only other notable star on the Dallas Mavericks, but he is having one of his worst years yet. Doncic averages the third most points per game and third most assists per game. I would put him at number one on this list if Giannis was not a freak of nature. Another setback, besides competition, is the Dallas Mavericks’ record. They have a great record, but it is the seventh best record in the league. Luke deserves second place due to how valuable he is because if they were to take him off of the Mavericks, they would immediately plunge to the bottom of the league.
3. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Season Stats: 25.4 PTS, 8.0 REB, 10.7 AST, 32-7 Record
“I’m like fine wine, I get better with age.” LeBron James declared this last year after an impressive performance. Playing in his 17th season, James continues to prove that he is still a dominant force in this league. LeBron James has been a leader ever since he took his first dribble in the league, especially because of his attitude off the court. James may average the second most points per game, behind Anthony Davis, but he is responsible for the most points for the Lakers. Not even a point guard, James averages the most assists per game in the entire league with 10.7 assists per game. LeBron James is one of the best all-around athletes in the game, yet he still manages to become selfless in order to successfully lead his team to the best record in the league.
4. James Harden, Houston Rockets
Season Stats: 37.7 PTS, 6.2 REB, 7.5 AST, 26-12 Record
James Harden is the best offensive player in the league. Harden came in second in the mvp race last year, even after averaging 36.1 PPG. Now in this season, Harden averages 37.7 PPG (which is over 7 more PPG than the player in second). His ability to score at will makes it near impossible to defend him. He can shoot threes, attack the rim, and draw fouls. Recently, James Harden has been criticized by his ability to get to the free throw line. While fans argue that Harden is notorious for flopping and for traveling, other NBA players actually respect this ability of his. James Harden recently gained a one-time MVP in Russell Westbrook. There was a lot of skepticism coming into this season with two very ball-dominant guards on the same team, but Harden has still been able to put up unreal numbers. Having another ball dominant guard makes him less valuable, but he proves how lethal his play style is after every game. His offensive and defensive skills have lead his team to a 26-12 record, making him fourth on this list.
5. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Season Stats: 20.7 PTS, 7.0 REB, 6.5 AST, 1.9 STL, 27-12 Record
In the previous year, the Miami Heat fell short of the playoffs, but 39 games into the season, the Heat have the fourth best record in the league. Most of the success is contributed to Jimmy Butler, and I would agree, to say the least. This natural-born leader had recently signed with Miami, hoping for a new start after things turned drastic as his time as a Timberwolve. With the assistance of some rising stars like, Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo, Jimmy “Buckets” Butler has provided strong leadership skills on both sides of the ball. Butler’s points per game average (PPG) may not be the highest, but he balances it out with averaging almost 2 steals a game, 7 rebounds a game, and 6.5 assists per game. All of this combined demonstrates how Butler’s skill and leadership has led the Miami Heat to the fourth best record in the league.
Next Five:
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
- Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics
- Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
- Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz