CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 16: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings on February 16, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place. 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 Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
NBA MVP Ladder: 4. DeMar DeRozan
Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 28.1/5.2/5.1/1.0/0.3
FG%/3P%/FT%: 51.7%/34.3%/86.6%
Off EPM / Def EPM: +4.6/-0.3
DeMar DeRozan’s numbers barely do him justice. He’s doing what he’s always done better than he’s ever done it before.
DeRozan has scored more fourth-quarter points than anyone while throwing daggers like a Castlevania character. The Bulls have suffered critical injuries to nearly their entire roster, yet DeRozan keeps pulling them to wins (the Bulls are tied for the one-seed in the East).
His balletic mid-range game and impeccable footwork please old fans and young ones alike. He’s even shooting acceptably well from deep (on very limited volume).
Before the season, there was a concern that DeRozan would be a strange fit with the Bulls’ centerpiece stars, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. However, he’s proven to be a perfect complement (the trio has a +6.8 net rating, in the 84th percentile) while organically becoming the alpha dog (he leads the team in FGA).
The Bulls have exceeded expectations so far this year, even without a full complement of players. When they finally get everyone back, they’re aiming for nothing less than a championship – and it’s all thanks to DeMar.
NBA MVP Ladder: 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 29.4/11.2/6.0/1.0/1.4
FG%/3P%/FT%: 54.7%/30.9%/72.1%
Off EPM / Def EPM: +6.2/+1.2
It’s hard to imagine that the two-time MVP is playing the best basketball of his career and yet isn’t even in the top two this season, yet here we are.
Giannis is second in the league in scoring and is averaging the most assists of his career while playing his typical DPOY-caliber defense. He just dropped 44 points on 17-20 shooting and 50 points on 17-21 shooting.
His case should be airtight.
But something feels just a tiny bit off this year. Even though Giannis is going as hard as ever, the Bucks are an uninspiring fifth in the East after rampaging through the last few regular seasons. Despite stellar statistical seasons from the Bucks’ big three, it still feels like they are waiting for the playoffs to begin.
Both Jokic and Embiid are leading their team to greater-than-expected success; it might be unfair, but the Bucks have underperformed this season, and that puts Giannis a smidge behind the other two. A strong end to the season could fix that in a hurry.
Chris Paul’s injury</a> and Golden State’s continued struggles have opened that side up as well. Incredible individual performances are everywhere.</p>
<p>I bring all this up because the NBA MVP race has never been closer at this point in the season, as ESPN’s Tim Bontemps’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33304979/nba-mvp-straw-poll-familiar-big-man-battle-brewing-top">straw poll</a> can attest, and the impact of the final standings is likely to be immense. For example, if Nikola Jokic can single-handedly drag a crippled Nuggets team to a four or five seed, that will hold a lot of weight with voters.</p>
<p>A lot can change in the remaining 20ish games. We’ll be tracking all the changes here every week, so check back often to see the newest ladder.</p>
<h2>NBA MVP Ladder: 5. Luka Doncic</h2>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 27.5/9.2/9.0/1.1/0.5</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 44.9%/33.5%/73.1%</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://dunksandthrees.com/epm">Off EPM / Def EPM:</a> +4.1/+0.8</p>
<p>Luka Doncic was widely expected to be a top contender for MVP this year. A slow start due to poor shooting and conditioning issues torpedoed that conversation, but he’s creeping his way back into down-ballot consideration.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mark Cuban on Luka Doncic: “I think he was humbled a little bit. I think he didn’t like being called out for his weight and other things, and it finally clicked that there’s a level of discipline that’s required.“ <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://t.co/6O0b8SY11u">https://t.co/6O0b8SY11u
<p>— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1496138569286565890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>February 22, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>He leads the league with a ridiculous 36.3 points per game in February while hitting 43 percent of his threes. Luka is putting forth the best defensive effort we’ve ever seen from him, and it’s no surprise that he’s posting a positive Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus for the first time in his career.</p>
<p>The trade of Kristaps Porzingis <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/18/kristaps-porzingis-trade-luka-doncic/">has fueled Luka to even greater heights</a>, and he’s scored 49, 21, 45, and 51 points in his last four games (three of which were wins).</p>
<p>Dallas as a whole has had the sixth-best offense and eighth-best defense over the last two weeks before the All-Star Break, and they are just 1.5 games back of the four-seed held by Utah.</p>
<p>If Dallas can claim home-court advantage, and Luka continues to put up eye-popping stats, he’ll have a strong case for a top-five MVP finish for the second time in his young career.</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/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #4, #3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-442301 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"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%2F2018%2F08%2F1371215267.jpeg" alt="NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1371215267.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1371215267-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 16: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings on February 16, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place. 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 Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA MVP Ladder: 4. DeMar DeRozan</h2>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 28.1/5.2/5.1/1.0/0.3</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 51.7%/34.3%/86.6%</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM:</strong> +4.6/-0.3</p>
<p>DeMar DeRozan’s numbers barely do him justice. He’s doing what he’s always done better than he’s ever done it before.</p>
<p>DeRozan has scored <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/traditional/?sort=PTS&dir=-1&Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&Period=4&PerMode=Totals%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">more fourth-quarter points</a> than anyone while throwing daggers like a Castlevania character. The Bulls have suffered critical injuries to nearly their entire roster, yet DeRozan keeps pulling them to wins (the Bulls are tied for the one-seed in the East).</p>
<p>His balletic mid-range game and impeccable footwork please old fans and young ones alike. He’s even shooting acceptably well from deep (on very limited volume).</p>
<p>Before the season, there was a concern that DeRozan would be a strange fit with the Bulls’ centerpiece stars, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. However, he’s proven to be a perfect complement (the trio has a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/5/lineups?on=867&on=2099&on=3799#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">+6.8 net rating</a>, in the 84th percentile) while organically becoming the alpha dog (he leads the team in FGA).</p>
<p>The Bulls have exceeded expectations so far this year, even without a full complement of players. When they finally get everyone back, they’re aiming for nothing less than a championship – and it’s all thanks to DeMar.</p>
<h2>NBA MVP Ladder: 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo</h2>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 29.4/11.2/6.0/1.0/1.4</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 54.7%/30.9%/72.1%</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM:</strong> +6.2/+1.2</p>
<p>It’s hard to imagine that the two-time MVP is playing the best basketball of his career and yet isn’t even in the top two this season, yet here we are.</p>
<p>Giannis is second in the league in scoring and is averaging the most assists of his career while playing his typical DPOY-caliber defense. He just dropped 44 points on 17-20 shooting and 50 points on 17-21 shooting.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">✨ 50 PIECE ✨</p>
<p>Giannis can not be stopped on NBA League Pass: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://t.co/oz9UCQxdQa">https://t.co/oz9UCQxdQa <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://t.co/YmGezmE5kT">pic.twitter.com/YmGezmE5kT
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1493789833009012737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>February 16, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>His case should be airtight.</p>
<p>But something feels just a tiny bit off this year. Even though Giannis is going as hard as ever, the Bucks are an uninspiring fifth in the East after rampaging through the last few regular seasons. Despite stellar statistical seasons from the Bucks’ big three, it still feels like they are waiting for the playoffs to begin.</p>
<p>Both Jokic and Embiid are leading their team to greater-than-expected success; it might be unfair, but the Bucks have underperformed this season, and that puts Giannis a smidge behind the other two. A strong end to the season could fix that in a hurry.</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/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2, #1 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-393980 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"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%2F2018%2F08%2F1187862772.jpeg" alt="NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1187862772.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1187862772-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nuggets 97-92, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break, NBA MVP Ladder: Three big men battle for first place. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA MVP Ladder: 2. Joel Embiid</h2>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 29.6/11.2/4.5/1.0/1.4</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 49.5%/36.9%/81.3%</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM:</strong> +6.2/+1.2</p>
<p>Joel Embiid has become the ultimate scoring weapon. He leads the league in free throws drawn and makes more than 80 percent of them. He’s shooting 37 percent from deep and, after a cold start, is up to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/1049#tab-shooting_accuracy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">45% on long twos</a>. He’s even added the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fCMcqhOFhY%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harden gather-stepback</a> to his game, another weapon in his <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://twitter.com/bballispoetry/status/1496212866755706880" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mary Poppins bag.</a></p>
<p>Embiid has not been shy about his desire to win MVP. His recent hot stretch has pulled him neck-and-neck with Giannis and Jokic. However, more than anyone else, his MVP chances may ride on an external factor.</p>
<p>James Harden’s impending arrival in the City of Brotherly Love will change <em>something</em> – whether it’s for better or worse remains to be seen. If James resumes the pass-first ways he showcased in Brooklyn last year and helps lift this team to even greater heights? Embiid’s MVP case could look even rosier.</p>
<p>But if Harden takes some of Embiid’s counting stats away and the team starts losing? That could well be a mortal blow to Joel’s hopes.</p>
<p>Embiid has played MVP-caliber ball, and he’s shouldered an incredible two-way load for a 76ers team that is in a surprising tie for third in the East. Hirsute help is coming for Philly, but whether it will aid Embiid’s MVP cause is still unknown.</p>
<h2>NBA MVP Ladder: 1. Nikola Jokic</h2>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 26.0/13.8/7.9/1.3/0.7</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 57.0%/37.2%/80.8%</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM:</strong> +7.7/+1.3</p>
<p>Nikola Jokic and Embiid are in a virtual deadlock for the MVP right now, but almost every statistic gives Jokic the slightest of nods.</p>
<p>Advanced stats are head-over-heels for the Serbian big man. Jokic leads the league in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://dunksandthrees.com/epm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offensive and total EPM</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">538’s RAPTOR and WAR</a>, and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2022_advanced.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Basketball-Reference’s Win Shares and VORP</a>, among many others. He’s playing the greatest defense of his life and has become the best passer in the league, regardless of position.</p>
<p>Plus, Jokic has had multiple game-winning blocks and assists this season:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JOKIC COMES UP BIG 🃏</p>
<p>Game-saving block on Anunoby to snap Toronto's 8-game winning streak! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://t.co/xHfK0kyDlU">pic.twitter.com/xHfK0kyDlU
<p>— NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1492696060468219904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>February 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">AARON GORDON GIVES THE <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://twitter.com/nuggets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@nuggets THE WIN 🔥</p>
<p>Nikola Jokic picks up the triple-double on the cross-court pass to give Denver the OT win! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://t.co/AHJIMHKWbc">pic.twitter.com/AHJIMHKWbc
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1484039943882223620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 20, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Jokic’s mind is always one step ahead, and he throws dimes to guys who don’t even know they’re open.</p>
<p>The big man is also an elite three-level scorer. He abuses mismatches in the post with unbelievable strength, hits fadeaways with impossible arc, and rains fire from deep despite constant defensive attention.</p>
<p>Injured co-star Jamal Murray’s return could be the catalyst the Nuggets need to gain home-court advantage in the West. If Denver can claw their way to a four-seed, Jokic will be a likely bet to repeat as MVP.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="5 Zion Williamson destinations this summer" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-trades-zion-williamson-2/" 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/2022/02/23/nba-mvp-ladder/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/02/23/nba-trades-zion-williamson-2/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 5 Zion Williamson destinations this summer </a> </div>
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