The evolution of the basketball game, especially that in the NBA has benefited players that excel at the offensive end and produced high-scoring games more than often these days. With waves of new players that tailored their game towards such trends flooding the NBA, the landscape of professional basketball matches has also shifted all over the world, with the upside of attracting more and more fans who value the offensive game to catch games regardless of any time zone differences.
As for the NBA, we are almost 15 games into the new season, so it is time to see who currently leads the MVP ladder.
5. Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
Season Stats: 28.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.9 apg
The 23-year-old ranked 7th in last season’s Kia MVP race and is determined to elevate both his individual game as well as help boost his team performance. Known for his blow-by ability, players from the opposing teams are letting Morant to shoot uncontested jumpers, an area where Ja has improved significantly. With youth being his biggest advantage, we are yet to witness the full stretch of Morant’s ability at the offensive end.
4. Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Season Stats: 31.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.8 apg
The Cleveland Cavaliers currently sit at the 4th position in the Eastern Conference and they have a winning streak of eight games, largely due to the Spida’s contribution and effort. Mitchell is enjoying a career high in several categories, and the decision to part ways with the Utah Jazz seems wiser everytime he puts on a great performance for his Ohio-based team.
3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Season Stats: 31.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.1 apg
“Finishing second only means you are the first loser” is what the late Kobe Bryant said when asked about his thoughts after the Lakers lost to the Celtics in 2008. His mentee, Tatum definitely took that to heart and worked extremely hard over the break to avoid losing another final like last season. Tatum became the first Celtics player to score more than 100 points in the first three games of a season and he has not looked back since. Could this be the year where he leads the Celtics to their 18th championship banner?
2. Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
Season Stats: 33.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 7.9 apg
You know things are going well for Luka Doncic when he has only been held under 30 points twice all season, with his season-low game being 22 points! The Mavs suffered from some setbacks lately but will play their next five games at home. Hence, fans can expect Luka to wand his magic from all sorts of angles once again.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Season Stats: 31.8 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 5.3 apg
Giannis winning his two MVP titles may seem like a distant memory now, but he looks like a man on a mission this season to recapture the best player award. Nonetheless, he would want to keep himself healthy throughout a long course of season in order to add the elusive crown to his trophy cabinet.
(Photo Credits: CNN)
