mvp trophy barometer
February has just begun, All-Star Weekend and the transition to the second half of the season is in sight. As every month, We Sport brings you the most coveted NBA MVP trophy barometer.
Note: the statistics given below are as of January 30, 2023.
NBA MVP: 2022/2023 Season Barometer (February)
1 – Nicola Jocchivs (PivotDenver Nuggets)
Stats 2022/2023: 25.1 pts, 10.9 rbd, 9.9 ast, 1.4 int, 0.6 blk
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is on track for a treble; A performance that hasn’t been achieved since Larry Bird in the 80s. If he’s not dominating any classic statistical category, he’s averaging nearly a triple-double. Better yet, he gives the impression of comfort on the floor within a franchise that dominates the Western Conference. If the Nuggets keep winning with a good jockeyvsit will be difficult to unseat the Serbian pivot at the top of the standings.
2 – Joel Embiid (PivotPhiladelphia 76ers)
2022/2023 stats: 33.6 pts, 10.0 rebounds, 4.2 ast, 1.1 int, 1.7 blk
He sulked while announcing the officials All Star Game, Joël Embiid is nevertheless a serious candidate for the MVP trophy. The Cameroonian, who leads the league in points, is in good shape and is part of one of the best franchises in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps only the disappointment of being substituted in the All-Star game will motivate him to have an even more impressive second half of the season.
3 – Jason Tatum (WingerBoston Celtics)
Stats 2022/2023: 31.1 pts, 8.7 rbd, 4.4 ast, 1.1 int, 0.8 blk
Jayson Tatum took another step forward, scoring over 30 points per game for the first time in his career. A finalist with the Celtics last year, he is the leader of a franchise that still has the best record in the league. Collective and individual performances, a good cocktail to place well in the MVP race.
4 – Luke DonvsIvs (ProtectionDallas Mavericks)
2022/2023 stats: 33.4 pts, 8.9 rbd, 8.3 ast, 1.5 int, 0.5 blk
Luke Don from the beginning of the seasonvsIvs continues to impress with its exceptional releases. When on the pitch, the Slovenian is unstoppable, especially with his versatility. A victim of a sprain a few days ago, he will need to get back to 100% to allow Dallas to move up in the standings, an important factor for Don.vsIvs he wants to bring himself back to the optics of winning this cup.
5 – Githere isnnis Antetokounmpo (Power forwardMilwaukee Bucks)
2022/2023 stats: 31.7 pts, 12.0 rbd, 5.3 ast, 0.8 int, 0.8 blk
Githere isnnis Antetokounmpo has certainly fallen behind, but remains a potential candidate for the MVP trophy. Punished by the Bucks’ recent losses and a five-game absence, the Greek has set a record in recent days. If Milwaukee pulls itself together and the former two-time MVP gets back to his standards, he could move closer to the top 3.
Special notes: Kevin Durant (WingerBrooklyn Nets), Domantas Sabonis (PivotSacramento Kings), Ja Morant (LeaderMemphis Grizzlies)
NBA MVP: Complete list since 1955-1956
1955–56 – Bob Pettit (USA- Power forwardSt. Louis Hawks)
1956–57 – Bob Cousy (USA, LeaderBoston Celtics)
1957–58 – Bill Russell (USA- PivotBoston Celtics)
1958–59 – Bob Pettit [2] (USA- Power forwardSt. Louis Hawks)
1959–60 – Wilt Chamberlain (USA- PivotPhiladelphia Warriors)
1960–61 – Bill Russell [2] (USA- PivotBoston Celtics)
1961–62 – Bill Russell [3] (USA- PivotBoston Celtics)
1962–63 – Bill Russell [4] (USA- PivotBoston Celtics)
1963–64 – Oscar Robertson (USA- LeaderCincinnati Royals)
1964–65 – Bill Russell [5] (USA- PivotBoston Celtics)
1965–66 – Wilt Chamberlain [2] (USA- PivotPhiladelphia 76ers)
1966–67 – Wilt Chamberlain [3] (USA- PivotPhiladelphia 76ers)
1967–68 – Wilt Chamberlain [4] (USA- PivotPhiladelphia 76ers)
1968–69 – Wes Unseld (USA- PivotBaltimore Bullets)
1969–70 – Willis Reed (USA- PivotNew York Knicks)
1970–71 – Lew Alcindor (USA- PivotMilwaukee Bucks)
1971–72 – Karam Abdul Jabbar [2] (USA- PivotMilwaukee Bucks)
1972–73 – Dave Cowens (USA- PivotBoston Celtics)
1973–74 – Karam Abdul Jabbar [3] (USA- PivotMilwaukee Bucks)
1974–75 – Bob McAdoo (USA- PivotBuffalo Braves)
1975–76 – Karam Abdul Jabbar [4] (USA- PivotLos Angeles Lakers)
1976–77 – Karam Abdul Jabbar [5] (USA- PivotLos Angeles Lakers)
1977–78 – Bill Walton (USA- PivotPortland Trail Blazers)
1978–79 – Moses Malone (USA- PivotHouston Rockets)
1979–80 – Karam Abdul Jabbar [6] (USA- PivotLos Angeles Lakers)
1980–81 – Julius Erving (USA- WingerPhiladelphia 76ers)
1981–82 – Moses Malone [2] (USA- PivotHouston Rockets)
1982–83 – Moses Malone [3] (USA- PivotPhiladelphia 76ers)
1983–84 – Larry Bird (USA- WingerBoston Celtics)
1984–85 – Larry Bird [2] (USA- WingerBoston Celtics)
1985–86 – Larry Bird [3] (USA- WingerBoston Celtics)
1986–87 – Magic Johnson (USA- LeaderLos Angeles Lakers)
1987–88 – Michael Jordan (USA- BackChicago Bulls)
1988–89 – Magic Johnson [2] (USA- LeaderLos Angeles Lakers)
1989–90 – Magic Johnson [3] (USA- LeaderLos Angeles Lakers)
1990–91 – Michael Jordan [2] (USA- BackChicago Bulls)
1991–92 – Michael Jordan [3] (USA- BackChicago Bulls)
1992–93 – Charles Barkley (USA- Power forwardPhoenix Suns)
1993–94 – Judge Olajuwon (Nigeria- PivotHouston Rockets)
1994–95 – David Robinson (USA- PivotSan Antonio Spurs)
1995–96 – Michael Jordan [4] (USA- BackChicago Bulls)
1996–97 – Carl Malone (USA- Power forwardUtah Jazz)
1997–98 – Michael Jordan [5] (USA- BackChicago Bulls)
1998–99 – Carl Malone [2] (USA- Power forwardUtah Jazz)
1999–00 – Shaquille O’Neal (USA- PivotLos Angeles Lakers)
2000-01 – Allen Iverson (USA- BackPhiladelphia 76ers)
2001-02 – Tim Duncan (USA- Power forwardSan Antonio Spurs)
2002-03 – Tim Duncan [2] (USA- Power forwardSan Antonio Spurs)
2003-04 – Kevin Garnett (USA- Power forwardSan Antonio Spurs)
2004–05 – Steve Nash (Canada- LeaderPhoenix Suns)
2005–06 – Steve Nash [2] (Canada- LeaderPhoenix Suns)
2006–07 – Dirk Nowitzki (Germany – Power forwardDallas Mavericks)
2007–08 – Kobe Bryant (USA- BackLos Angeles Lakers)
2008–09 – LeBron James (USA- WingerCleveland Cavaliers)
2009–10 – LeBron James [2] (USA- WingerCleveland Cavaliers)
2010–11 – Derrick Rose (USA- LeaderChicago Bulls)
2011–12 – LeBron James [3] (USA- WingerMiami Heat)
2012–13 – LeBron James [4] (USA- WingerMiami Heat)
2013–14 – Kevin Durant (USA- WingerOklahoma City Thunder)
2014–15 – Stephen Curry (USA- LeaderGolden State Warriors)
2015–16 – Stephen Curry [2] (USA- LeaderGolden State Warriors)
2016–17 – Russell Westbrook (USA- LeaderOklahoma City Thunder)
2017–18 – James Harden (USA- BackHouston Rockets)
2018–19 – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece – Power forwardMilwaukee Bucks)
2019–20 – Giannis Antetokounmpo [2] (Greece – Power forwardMilwaukee Bucks)
2020–21 – Nikola Jokic (Serbia – PivotDenver Nuggets)
2021–22 – Nikola Jokic [2] (Serbia – PivotDenver Nuggets)
Louis Rousseau
The words “Minnesota Miracle” and “No-Call” have been removed from my vocabulary. My heart goes out to Drew Brees’ retirement and RJ Barrett’s loneliness at Madison Square Garden.
