The NBA MVP Race Is Close, But It Should Not Be
The Most Valuable Player award, once a symbol of a player's integral role in their team's success, has lost its original meaning. It has become more about who the best player on the best team is, leading to an alarming increase in stat padding. This shift in focus has diluted the significance of the award, which should reflect a player's actual value to their team and the league as a whole.Â
Last year, Joel Embiid took home the award over Nikola Jokic, despite Jokic's Nuggets being the best team (in the much tougher Western conference) and eventually winning the championship. Embiid was incredible last year, and the team was much worse off when he was not playing, but it is not in the same stratosphere as Nikola Jokic's impact on the Denver Nuggets. Last year's playoff run was centered around the Serbian big man's playmaking ability and creativity around the basket. If Jokic and Embiid had swapped places the previous season, the Nuggets would have been far worse off than the 76ers.Â
This is what value is about. A player whose game and winning are so heavily revolved around that it would be the difference between a championship and likely losing in the second round if he were not to play. The NBA has an apparent problem; this year is the most important to set it back correctly. The award has to go to someone who has been so crucial and significant that his team would be a lottery pick team if it weren't for him, but they are fighting for the Playoffs right now. Not to mention, this man is dominating the stat box and somehow still not the favorite.Â
This player is Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic Should Be Far And Away The Leading MVP Candidate
In an incredibly competitive Western Conference, the Mavericks are ten games over .500 on the year. However, when Luka is absent, the team's win percentage plummets to a mere .333, underscoring his pivotal role.
Russell Westbrook secured his unanimous MVP in 2017 while averaging a triple-double in a less challenging Western Conference. Luka Doncic, on the other hand, is averaging a staggering 34 points per game, nine rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game for the Mavericks.
He also maintains a steal and a half per game, shoots 38 percent from three, and plays over 37 minutes a game. These numbers speak volumes about his exceptional performance. Compared to Westbrook, and being so close, Doncic should be a near lock for the award.
Only Doncic Should Be In This Conversation
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum have all performed exceptionally this year, but none can match Luka Doncic's value. Despite Nikola Jokic's undeniable importance to the Denver Nuggets, the team could still manage as a fringe playoff team without him.
In contrast, the Mavericks would plummet and likely end up 15-20 games under .500 without Doncic. His role in keeping the Mavericks relevant and competitive is unparalleled, leading all the above players in points, minutes, and assists this season.Â
While it would be ideal for Doncic's team to have a better record, the other teams are all far more solidified and have multiple years of team building put into them.
The Mavericks have tried and will continue building around Doncic, but it differs from what the others have received in assistance. Without a second thought, Luka Doncic is far and away the most valuable player to his team in the NBA.
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