Media by Associated Press – Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic in action during an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Players who win MVP awards in the NBA don’t always win as many as they should. Because MVP awards are voter on by humans, instead of having a specific set of guidelines, sometimes voters are inclined to look past someone who has already won a few years in a row. Only Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlin, and Bill Russell have been chosen for the award for three straight seasons.
Since the mid-1980s, no player — not even LeBron James or Michael Jordan — has brought the award home three years in a row. There is a chance it could happen this season. Here’s a look at the players among the top players in 2023.
Nikola Jokic, Forward, Denver Nuggets, -121
The Denver Nuggets have once again established themselves as contenders in the Western Conference. The excellence of their do-it-all big man Nikola Jokic is a big reason why. Jokic has averaged 25.1 points, 19.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game. The two-time defending MVP also shoots 62.9 percent from the field.
Jokic has established himself as a favorite despite having won the award in back-to-back seasons. If Denver can finish with the top seed in the Western Conference, it may take a Herculean effort from another player to take the award away from him.
Joel Embiid, Center, Philadelphia 76ers, +300
Embiid is once against one of the league’s most formidable presences understand the basket. Embiid leads the league in scoring by averaging 33.8 points per game and is 12th in rebounds, grabbing 10.0 per game.
He is also a capable passer, handing out 4.2 assists per game. Philadelphia’s team is in the middle of a seven-game winning streak and has moved within 2.5 games of first place in the Eastern Conference.
Embiid has never won the award before and may have decent value if the 76ers’ winning streak continues and he can stay healthy enough to play in more than 65 games.
Luke Doncic, Forward, Dallas Mavericks, +600
Doncic has a mild ankle sprain that threatens to slow down his progress this season. The Dallas Mavericks’ star is second in the league in scoring at 33 points per game and also averages 8.9 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game. As a team, Dallas has quite found the form that helped the Mavericks reach the Western Conference Final last season.
The Mavericks are only 26-25 and could sink if Doncic is limited. This may not be Doncic’s year to win MVP if he can’t return to full strength quickly.
Jayson Tatum, Forward, Boston Celtics, +1000
Tatum is having a strong season for the Celtics, who are atop the Eastern Conference standings. Tatum is averaging 31.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. There is a strong chance that Tatum could help carry the Celtics back to the finals.
With Tatum scoring at a career-high rate, there is a chance that Boston having team success could make Tatum a serious contender when June rolls around.
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