Michael C. Wright's last edition of the 2020–21 Kia MVP Ladder features Nikola Jokic at the top. The Serbian center has all the tools to be this year's winner: he is having a stellar season, leads his team in minutes played, and is responsible for most of his club's victories.
Wright notes that several other players are very close to Jokic in terms of votes received, including James Harden (Houston Rockets), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers).
The writer also mentions Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) as one of the candidates who could win it. However, due to injuries, the 7-footer hasn't been able to show what he can do yet this season.
In addition, Wright points out that Joe Harris (Toronto Raptors) and Danilo Gallinari (Denver Nuggets) have been impressive contributors this year. As a result, their teams are among the best in the league.
Finally, he mentions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (LA Clippers) and Justin Patton (New Orleans Pelicans) who have contributed greatly to their respective clubs' success.
Jokic, Nikola DENVER, Colo. (AP) — Nikola Jokic was taken with the 41st selection in the NBA draft seven years ago. He is now widely regarded as the best. Jokic has averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds this season for a Denver team that is 50-16.
The question isn't whether or not Jokic will win an award this year. It's when. He is already the favorite to take home the MVP trophy.
Here are the other candidates for the award:
James Harden of the Houston Rockets was the No. 1 pick in 2007. Like Jokic, he is one of only three players in NBA history to score at least 2,000 points and grab 500 rebounds during their first two seasons. The other two are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone.
Harden is also coming off his first all-star game appearance. He is second in the league in scoring (28.4 ppg) and third in rebounding (14.0 rpg).
Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors was selected fourth overall in 2007. He is one of four players in NBA history to score at least 30 points per game while pulling down at least 10 rebounds.
Jokic, Nikola. He is the best player on one of the best teams in the NBA. So it's not a surprise that he has been named the league's Most Valuable Player.
This is Jokic's second MVP award and his first since 2014 when he was with Denver. He is a three-time winner of the EuroLeague MVP award. Last season, Jokic became only the third player in NBA history to average a triple double for an entire season (10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists). He is just the fourth player in NBA history to do so more than once (3x).
Besides being a great player, Jokic has also been one of the best leaders in the NBA this year. He has a team-high 17 votes from members of the media who select the MVP award.
Best Candidates
| Rk | Player | Prob% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikola Jokić | 60.7% |
| 2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 11.3% |
| 3 | Joel Embiid | 8.8% |
| 4 | Kawhi Leonard | 4.2% |
Hollinger NBA Player Statistics-Power Forwards 2020-21
| Hollinger Stats – Player Efficiency Rating – Qualified Power Forwards | ||
|---|---|---|
| RK | PLAYER | PER |
| 1 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | 29.24 |
| 2 | Zion Williamson, NO | 27.17 |
| 3 | Kevin Durant, BKN | 26.44 |
Kyle Korver (5364). 2009-10 NBA Leaders Table Season 1 Rank Player 3P percent 5235 Steve Kerr 1994-1995 1995-1996, Tim Legler.5224 Sundvold, Jon.5217 1988-1989, Jason Kapono (500).5116 1987-1988
The all-time leader in 3-point shots made is Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks. His career average is 42.4 percent from behind the arc, and he has shot over 40 percent five times during his nine-year career. The second-highest shooter is Steve Kerr with a 39.9 percent rate over eight seasons with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. Other notable shooters include Ray Allen (37.0%), Reggie Miller (36.7%), and Kobe Bryant (35.6%).
Korver broke out in 2009-10, making a league-high 112 three-pointers as part of an Atlanta team that went 50-32 and won the Eastern Conference before being eliminated by Miami in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. He became only the third player in NBA history to make at least 100 three-pointers in each of the first six seasons of his career, following Michael Jordan and Ray Allen.
Korver, who turns 34 in November, is coming off one of his best seasons yet, hitting 370 of 788 47.
He attempted 4.9 at-the-rim shots each game, but his percentage was only 58.6 percent. This list will be arranged from bottom to top, with the player's name appearing next to his number.
Leaders of the League
| 1. | Stephen Curry • GSW | 32.0 |
|---|---|---|
| 2. | Bradley Beal • WAS | 31.3 |
| 3. | Damian Lillard • POR | 28.8 |
| 4. | Joel Embiid • PHI | 28.5 |
| 5. | Giannis Antetokounmpo • MIL | 28.1 |
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