Being voted MVP appears a tedious task, but has key factors that are thoroughly considered just like the Ballon D’or in football, too. Listed below are some of the factors that are contemplated.
Scoring: Having a high individual output is essential, not just the team output. This is because the NBA is now starting to witness an evolutionary increase in the number of three-point shots. This has led to an increase in scoring. Four of the last MVP winners have scored 30 points every match. A pretty high standard.
Passing: In the past 15 years, the only MVP winner that has not produced about five assists every game is Dirk Nowitzki. During the course of this review, you’ll get to know why.
Position: Six MVPs have been claimed by point guards over the past 20 years—five by small forwards, three by shooting guards, and another five by power forwards. Shaquille O’Neal is known as the last center to have been voted most valuable player in the NBA. This was during the 1999 season, making it over 20 years ago since this last occurred.
Age: For over 20 years, the generations of players voted the most valuable have averaged 26.6 years. The primary consideration is for players who are between 24 years and 28 years of age since Karl Malone won in the 1998 campaign, Steve Nash is the only player that has won this award in his 30s. Former MVP winners like Steph Curry, Lebron James, James Harden, and Kevin Durant would be out of the frame to contest for this in the next five years, hence paving the path for the next set of upcoming players. Also as reviewed by Canadian gamblers, there are some next-gen casinos to check out. These are the players being touted to continue in their shoes in years to come.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG
At just 21 years of age, Alexander has the highest number of points per match, thus making him Oklahoma City Thunder’s leading scorer. The teams have had a 40-24 start to the current campaign, with the youngster averaging an impressive 19.3 points every game.
Nikola Jokic, C
It has been stated already that it is increasingly difficult, if not rare, to have centers steal the MVP, but with this guy, we might have to rethink that assertion. With his 6.9 assists, he stands tall above the other centers at the age of 25. This is because Lebron James is deemed to be a point guard currently in the season. Nikola’s stats also lead all other forwards. Combining his rebounding, which is set at 10.2 and his scoring, also set at 20.2 points per game this season, Nikola will likely be a recurring name in the MVP baskets for a few years to come.
Donovan Mitchell, SG
At the age of 23, this guy is already deemed a first-time-all-star. His scoring and performance will only improve. Seeing that he already averages a whopping 24.2 points each game, Mitchell plays with a team that is sure to improve his output overall.
Ja Morant, PG
It should be noted that Magic Johnson and Ja Morant are the only rookie guards to have averaged six assists in history while shooting shots from about 49 percent of the court. Morant already has the stuff that legends are born and made of. In the Western Conference, he has led the Memphis Grizzlies to their eighth seed.
Ben Simmons, PG
Simmons, who is 23, has already become a sensation, and he has had just three professional seasons. Currently, this season, he leads the number of steals playing as an elite defense. Simmons has a scoring record of 16.4 PPG currently, and this number would have to rise higher if he wants to think about getting in the MVP baskets a couple of seasons from now.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF
Although Antetokounmpo is 25, he is on an upward journey to discovering his peak, and I daresay when he hits his peak fully, he’ll be up there challenging the most valuable player in the NBA again. Last year he went home with the award, and this year it’s already almost looking like a done deal. He has had 13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 blocks, and a staggering 29.6 points per match this season. He has previously also made 83 three-pointers during this season, which is higher than what he has previously made. He has improved his accuracy and performance dramatically to 30.7 percent now, which is better than the 25.6 percent he had a year ago.
