NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks

Michael Shearer</a> will be back next week with the rankings, but I&rsquo;ll be taking on the challenge in the meantime.)</p> <h2>Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: Honorable mentions</h2> <p><strong>Donovan Mitchell:</strong> The Utah Jazz went 8-1 in the month of February, and Mitchell was the unquestioned leader. He&rsquo;s averaged insane numbers, including shooting 46.9 percent from deep on 10.1 three-point attempts a night. (Rank last week: N/R)</p> <p><strong>James Harden:</strong> In his first few games with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden was absolutely dominant. It&rsquo;s tough to see him getting any serious MVP buzz due to the drama with the Brooklyn Nets, but the numbers are there for it. (Rank last week: N/R)</p> <p><strong>Jimmy Butler:</strong> The Miami Heat have remained hot, despite not putting up the best counting stats, Butler is the best player in their lineup. Butler brings the intensity, energy, leadership, and constant hustle on one of the best teams in the league. (Rank last week: N/R)</p> <p><strong>DeMar DeRozan:</strong> Since he went on his ridiculous scoring streak, DeRozan has cooled off a bit, and so have the Chicago Bulls. That being said, his play this year cannot be undermined by one cold stretch. (Rank last week: 5)</p> <p><strong>Stephen Curry:</strong> Similar to the Bulls, the Golden State Warriors haven&rsquo;t been playing great as of late, and Curry has been slumping a tad as well. But he&rsquo;ll still be in the mix for MVP down the stretch. (Rank last week: N/R)</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span>&nbsp;#5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442573" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-442573" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1374107720.jpeg" alt="NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1374107720.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1374107720-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks makes a hand gesture as he walks down court during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Fiserv Forum on February 28, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks</h2> <p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 3</p> <p><strong>Stats:</strong> 29.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 54.5% FG, 30.1% 3PT</p> <p>Ironically enough, Giannis Antetokounmpo has played out of his mind for the past month. Unfortunately, that didn’t really translate into consistent wins for the Milwaukee Bucks.</p> <p>In the month of February, the Bucks went 6-4, which isn’t bad, but also not great for a team hoping to defend their title as NBA champions. And while Antetokounmpo was great, team success is half the battle.</p> <p>Antetokounmpo is easily one of the best players in the league, and his statline will tell anybody that. And to be honest, him slipping in these rankings is less a product of him playing poorly, and more a product of other players around the league being even better.</p> <p>As far as his supporting cast goes, Khris Middleton went through a shooting slump in the month of February. He shot just 27.0 percent from behind the three-point line.</p> <p>But at the same time, Jrue Holiday was great and Bobby Portis was surprisingly awesome, too. Both of them averaged 19.5 points in February.</p> <p>All that being said, the Bucks still sit at fourth in the Eastern Conference and, despite their recent blowout over the Charlotte Hornets, have lost five of their last six games.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442574" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-442574" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1371189926.jpeg" alt="NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1371189926.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1371189926-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 16: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum on February 16, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: 4. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies</h2> <p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> N/R</p> <p><strong>Stats:</strong> 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 49.8% FG, 34.4% 3PT</p> <p>Ja Morant, right now, is the most exciting player in the game of basketball. And on top of that, he should be getting some serious MVP buzz as the NBA season comes to a close.</p> <p>Just the other night, Morant put up the highest-scoring game in Grizzlies history, tallying 52 points and giving Memphis their first 50-point game in franchise history.</p> <p>His ability to get to the rim at will is as good as anyone in the entire league, and the 6-3 point guard even leads the NBA in points in the paint this year.</p> <p>While the Grizzlies have managed to be great even when he’s out, Morant is very clearly the heart and soul of the team, as well as their best player by a landslide.</p> <p>And in addition to all of that, Memphis is one of the best teams in the league. Right now, they sit at 43-20 on the year, which is good for third in the Western Conference.</p> <p>Morant led the league in scoring over the past week (although a big part of that was his 52-point game), pushing himself onto the NBA MVP Ladder. He completely deserves to be fully immersed in the MVP conversation.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442575" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-442575" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1375715849.jpeg" alt="NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1375715849.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1375715849-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after he was called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 27, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: 3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks</h2> <p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 5</p> <p><strong>Stats:</strong> 27.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 44.7% FG, 33.5% 3PT</p> <p>If the MVP award was based on the month of February alone, it’d be pretty hard to not have Luka Doncic as the frontrunner to take it home. That’s how elite he has been.</p> <p>When the Dallas Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline, many people questioned the move. But with how well Doncic has played since then, it’s now clear what their plan was – let Doncic work.</p> <p>Most teams around the league have become obsessed with putting multiple stars together in pursuit of a championship. But over the last month, Doncic has shown that he’s perfectly capable of winning without a true co-star.</p> <p>He’s taken on the burden of the offense in a bigger way than usual, and it’s been working beautifully. While playing with Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie has turned into an effective three-point shooter and Davis Bertans is back to being a sharpshooter. (Sorry, Wizards fans.)</p> <p>Plus, all of Doncic’s success has led to winning. Over the course of February, the Mavs went 7-3, including big wins over the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors.</p> <p>Doncic is only 23 years old, so he’s set up beautifully to dominate the NBA for years to come, and will undoubtedly win at least one MVP. Maybe that time is now.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442576" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-442576" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1238765902.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1238765902.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1238765902-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter of the game at Target Center on February 25, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 76ers defeated the Timberwolves 133-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: 2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers</h2> <p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 2</p> <p><strong>Stats:</strong> 29.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 49.4% FG, 36.7% 3PT</p> <p>Over the past week, Joel Embiid has remained dominant, and his chemistry with newly-acquired star James Harden is already visible on the court every single night.</p> <p>The duo has picked up back-to-back wins since Harden stepped on the court, and although Harden has been great, it’s been Embiid who projects to be the leader for the Philadelphia 76ers.</p> <p>Philadelphia went 2-0 in the past week with Embiid averaging over 35 points a night, but that’s not the stat to note. Instead, people should be looking at his free-throw numbers.</p> <p>In those two games, Embiid averaged 20 free-throw attempts per game, including a 27-free-throw game against the New York Knicks. Embiid shoots more free throws than anyone else in the league this season.</p> <p>The combination of him and Harden getting to the free-throw line is going to give opposing teams nightmares, and with how dominant Embiid is in the post, they might have no choice but to foul him.</p> <p>As much as opposing fans may get annoyed at how many times Embiid gets to the free-throw line, he has most certainly mastered the craft. For that, and many other, more impressive reasons, most people have Embiid as a top-two candidate for MVP.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442577" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-442577" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1367545444.jpeg" alt="NBA MVP Ladder Week 20: Youngsters climbing the ranks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1367545444.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1367545444-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 28: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court during the second quarter of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 28, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Week 20 NBA MVP Ladder: 1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets</h2> <p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 1</p> <p><strong>Stats:</strong> 25.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 56.7% FG, 36.4% 3PT</p> <p>When it comes to carrying a team at an elite level, there’s no one who does it quite like Nikola Jokic. The reigning MVP is in a prime position to reclaim the award for the second year in a row.</p> <p>Jamal Murray has yet to step on the floor for the Nuggets this year, and Michael Porter Jr. got injured after only nine games. Due to that, Jokic has had to carry the load in a big way.</p> <p>Denver’s bench has been nothing short of horrendous, and in a lot of games, Aaron Gordon has been the team’s secondary option in terms of scoring. And don’t get it twisted, Gordon is a solid player, but he is far from an offensive juggernaut.</p> <p>Despite all of this, Jokic has the Nuggets in a great spot heading into the final stretch of the season. They are 36-25 on the year, good for sixth place in the Western Conference.</p> <p>This past week, he didn’t even put up great scoring numbers, tallying only eight points in one of his games. However, he averaged a triple-double, Denver went 3-0, and, in that eight-point game, Jokic had 18 rebounds and 11 assists in three quarters in a blowout over the Portland Trail Blazers.</p> <p>Jokic is putting on a clinic this season on how to carry a team to the playoffs. And for the second year in a row, he is more than deserving of the MVP award.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA DPOY Ladder Week 19" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/27/nba-dpoy-ladder-week-19/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/02/nba-mvp-ladder-week-20/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/27/nba-dpoy-ladder-week-19/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA DPOY Ladder Week 19 </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">