I am so happy the Golden State Warriors are winning again, because it would have felt criminal to leave Stephen Curry off another MVP ladder…but I absolutely would have done it.
There are so many players performing at a high level right now, and many of them are playing for teams that simply aren’t winning much. It makes you wonder how low the win threshold can get for an MVP. But I’m a firm believer that the MVP has to do a reasonable amount of winning (sorry SGA).
I also believe over time, the cream rises to the top. So I was never worried that Curry wouldn’t eventually crack this list, just like I’m not worried about Joel Embiid’s inevitable return with more games under his belt.
I am worried about Luka Doncic, however. His numbers remain otherworldly, but he fell a few spots on this ladder because the Mavericks are skidding. I’m afraid they may not be good enough for him to stay afloat for long. Here’s where things stand today, with odds from BetMGM.
(Stats are prior to games on 11/28)
10
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets (+2500)
PPG: 29.3 | RPG: 6.6 | APG: 5.4 | BPG: 1.8
WS/48: .195 (15th)
Record: 10-11
The Nets are trending up, and KD’s been the one constant in their crawl towards a winning record.
9
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (+50000)
PPG: 19.6 | RPG: 4.5 | APG: 11.1 | SPG: 1.8
WS/48: .211 (10th)
Record: 11-8
Haliburton is doing some special things in Indiana, including a four-game streak of 14+ assists last week.
8
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (+2000)
PPG: 28.5 | RPG: 6.4 | APG: 7.6 | SPG: 1.1
WS/48: .173 (32nd)
Record: 12-8
The Grizzlies have leveled out a bit lately, and they’re 1-4 in Morant’s last five 30-point games.
7
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (+6600)
PPG: 27.1 | RPG: 5.2 | APG: 5.8
WS/48: .174 (31st)
Record: 13-6
Booker continues to be a steady scoring presence for the Suns, who went 5-2 since the last ladder.
6
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (+1000)
PPG: 31.4 | RPG: 6.8 | APG: 7.1 | SPG: 1.2
WS/48: .265 (2nd)
Record: 11-10
To debut at No. 7 is pretty good, and Curry will likely be near the top of the next list if he continues at this rate and the Warriors keep rolling.
5
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks (+275)
PPG: 33.1 | RPG: 8.7 | APG: 8.4 | SPG: 1.7
WS/48: .257 (3rd)
Record: 9-10
The Mavericks lost four straight games last week, as it’s beginning to look like Doncic can’t carry the weight of this team the entire season.
4
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+2500)
PPG: 22.4 | RPG: 9.7 | APG: 8.8 | SPG: 1.4
WS/48: .291 (1st)
Record: 12-7
Jokic is starting to turn the scoring up, dropping three of his four 30-point games this season in the last week.
3
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (+1600)
PPG: 30.1 | RPG: 4.2 | APG: 5.2 | SPG: 1.5
WS/48: .218 (7th)
Record: 13-7
After a bit of a skid two weeks ago, the Cavs are back winning again and Spyda is back scoring a lot of points on good efficiency.
2
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+300)
PPG: 30.9 | RPG: 11.4 | APG: 5.4 | BPG: 1.0
WS/48: .196 (14th)
Record: 14-5
Antetokounmpo has scored at least 30 points in four straight games.
1
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (+350)
PPG: 30.5 | RPG: 7.9 | APG: 4.6 | BPG: 1.2
WS/48: .215 (8th)
Record: 16-4
The Celtics are 6-1 since the last ladder, and Tatum is the anchor behind their league-best record. He’s playing at such a high level on both ends of the floor and out-dueled Doncic in a blowout win last Wednesday.
