The 2022/2023 NBA season opens its doors on Tuesday, October 18 after a 4-month wait. And today, an overview of the contenders for the title of MVP of the season. It has been 4 years in a row that a European player has won the trophy with Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2019 and 2020, and Nikola Jokic in 2021 and 2022. These 2 players will once again be in the race for the MVP to conquer a 3th trophy in their career. Will Joel Embiid finally manage to be named best player of the season? We Sport offers you our favorites to get the NBA MVP trophy for the 2022/2023 season.
NBA MVP: the most coveted trophy
An NBA MVP trophy is the best in a career as an individual reward. The Most Valuable Player awards the best player of the regular season, the one who made his team win while aligning exceptional statistics. For 4 years, 2 European players have shared this trophy, Giannis Antetokoumpo and Nikola Jokic. And the youngest, Luka Doncic, is already knocking on the door and will apply for perhaps the next ten seasons to come! The Franco-Americano-Cameroonian (yes, hard to say!) Joel Embiid, who monopolizes the places of honor for several seasons will finally seek to obtain the Holy Grail. Without forgetting Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant or Ja Morant. The race for the NBA MVP trophy for the 2022/2023 season promises to be exciting once again!
The 2021/2022 ranking
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
- Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
MVP NBA 2022/2023, the year of consecration for Joel Embiid?
NBA Team: Philadelphia 76ers
2021/2022 stats: 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks.
Dolphin of Nikola Jokic in 2021 and 2022, Joel Embiid finally hopes to be named best player of the next season. Dominant at his post, the Cameroonian of origin can score high post as well as low post. With an impressive offensive palette, the 76ers pivot is also an outstanding defender, not only on an individual level but also in the assists given to his teammates. It will now be up to Joel Embiid to carry his Philadelphia team even higher, which may have harmed him in the past (and this remains to be debated). With a lieutenant worthy of his ambitions in the presence of James Harden, and a group that has grown with free agency, Joel Embiid could well get this award for the first time in his career!
Nikola Jokic, can the return of the injured harm his individual performances?
NBA Team: Denver Nuggets
2021/2022 stats: 27.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.5 steals.
Rarely has an NBA MVP defined the Most Valuable Player trophy so well. Admittedly, the Serb had stats worthy of the reward, but it was above all the impact on his teammates that the pivot had that was impressive. Deprived of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr, few people saw the Nuggets reach the play-offs. And yet, Nikola Jokic carried the franchise on his shoulders, his back, his arms! Not only by making sublime personal productions, but also by making his teammates shine like A.Gordon, W.Barton or M.Morris. However this season, Denver will see the return of its injured, which will distribute the offensive game more. Penalizing for Nikola Jokic individually?
Giannis, the art of banality
NBA Team: Milwaukee Bucks
2021/2022 stats: 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 blocks.
Double NBA MVP in 2019 and 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo was still on the podium last season. Coming off an impressive Eurobasket on an individual level, the Greek Freak was quick to say that the FIBA game was tougher and that helped him progress. Even if his external address is still his weak point, the Greek blackens the other areas of play. If his offensive impact is decisive for the Bucks, his defensive contribution is just as important. Vocal leader but also by his behavior on the ground, Giannis Antetokounmpo still does not see the limits of his progress. Enough to make him a natural candidate for a new distinction!
Luka Doncic, still too early to be NBA MVP?
NBA Team: Dallas Mavericks
2021/2022 stats: 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists.
The Slovenian prodigy continues to impress all specialists and basketball fans. If his last statistical productions remained more or less equivalent to those of the previous 2 years, it is the impact of Luka Doncic’s leadership that is increasingly felt within the Mavericks. Validated by a conference final in the play-offs last May, the leader, a bit like Nikola Jokic, makes his teammates shine. Because we have to be honest, it was hard to imagine seeing Dallas in the Western Conference Finals with Jalen Brunson as the second strike force on offense. What is he missing then to get the NBA MVP trophy? Maybe a little more consistency at long distance, better defense, less ball loss. But each player has his faults, and if Luka Doncic repeats his performance at the end of the 2021/2022 season, then he will not be far from the truth.
Ja Morant, the star in the making
NBA Team: Memphis Grizzlies
2021/2022 stats: 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists.
Entered the rankings last season with a 7th place, Ja Morant can do even better this season. In a Grizzlies team that surprised everyone last season with the second record in the entire League, the point guard had been the leader of this young team. Spectacular, efficient and also a clutch, the franchise player from Memphis had passed a milestone, allowing him to win the trophy for the best progression over the season (MIP). By going from 19.2 pts, 3.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists to 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and guiding this young team to the heights, Ja Morant has moved on to another dimension, with an All-Star Game selection as icing on the cake. For this new season, the leader of the Memphis Grizzlies could well find a place in the All-NBA first team and come to pose as a candidate for the title of MVP NBA season 2022/2023.
Special Mentions: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum.
