the mvp trophy barometer
February has just begun, before seeing All-Star Weekend and the transition to the second half of the season. As every month, We Sport offers you its NBA MVP trophy barometer, the most anticipated of all.
NB: statistics given below are as of January 30, 2023.
NBA MVP: the barometer of the 2022/2023 season (February)
1 – Nikola Jokivs (PivotDenver Nuggets)
Stats 2022/2023: 25.1 pts, 10.9 rbd, 9.9 ast, 1.4 int, 0.6 blk
Nikola Jokic, reigning two-time NBA MVP, looks set to achieve the treble; a performance that hasn’t been accomplished since Larry Bird in the 80s. If he’s not dominating any classic statistical category, he’s posting nearly a triple-double on average. Better yet, it leaves an impression of lightness on the floor, within a franchise that dominates the Western Conference. If the Nuggets keep winning with a good Jokivsit will be difficult to dislodge the Serbian pivot from 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
Snubbed when the incumbents were announced for All Star Game, Joël Embiid is nevertheless a serious candidate for the MVP trophy. Leader of the league in points, the Cameroonian is in a great dynamic and part of one of the best franchises in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps his frustration at only being a substitute in the All-Star Game will propel him to an even more impressive second half of the season.
3 – Jayson 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, going over 30 points per game for the first time in his career. Last year’s finalist with the Celtics, he still leads the franchise with the league’s best record. Collective and individual performances, a good cocktail to put in the race for MVP.
4 – Luke DonvsIvs (GuardDallas Mavericks)
2022/2023 stats: 33.4 pts, 8.9 rbd, 8.3 ast, 1.5 int, 0.5 blk
Since the beginning of the season, Luka DonvsIvs admiring the increasingly rare releases. When he is on the pitch, the Slovenian is unstoppable, especially because of his versatility. Victim of a sprain a few days ago, he needs to be back at 100% to allow Dallas to move up in the standings, a key factor if DonvsIvs wants to bring himself back to the optics of winning this trophy.
5 – Mrhavennis Antetokounmpounope (Power forwardMilwaukee Bucks)
2022/2023 stats: 31.7 pts, 12.0 rbd, 5.3 ast, 0.8 int, 0.8 blk
Mrhavennis Antetokounmpounmpo is definitely late, but remains a potential candidate for the MVP trophy. Chastened by the Bucks’ recent loss and a five-game absence, the Greek pointed to the record in recent days. If Milwaukee comes together and the former two-time MVP returns to his standards, he could be closer to the top 3.
Special Mentions: Kevin Durant (WingerBrooklyn Nets), Domantas Sabonis (PivotSacramento Kings), Ja Morant (ChiefMemphis Grizzlies)
NBA MVPs: the complete list from 1955-1956
1955–56 – Bob Pettit (USA- Power forwardSt. Louis Hawks)
1956–57 – Bob Cousy (USA, ChiefBoston 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- ChiefCincinnati 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 – Kareem Abdul Jabbar [2] (USA- PivotMilwaukee Bucks)
1972–73 – Dave Cowens (USA- PivotBoston Celtics)
1973–74 – Kareem Abdul Jabbar [3] (USA- PivotMilwaukee Bucks)
1974–75 – Bob McAdoo (USA- PivotBuffalo Braves)
1975–76 – Kareem Abdul Jabbar [4] (USA- PivotLos Angeles Lakers)
1976–77 – Kareem Abdul Jabbar [5] (USA- PivotLos Angeles Lakers)
1977–78 – Bill Walton (USA- PivotPortland Trail Blazers)
1978–79 – Moses Malone (USA- PivotHouston Rockets)
1979–80 – Kareem 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- ChiefLos Angeles Lakers)
1987–88 – Michael Jordan (USA- Come backChicago Bulls)
1988–89 – Magic Johnson [2] (USA- ChiefLos Angeles Lakers)
1989–90 – Magic Johnson [3] (USA- ChiefLos Angeles Lakers)
1990–91 – Michael Jordan [2] (USA- Come backChicago Bulls)
1991–92 – Michael Jordan [3] (USA- Come backChicago Bulls)
1992–93 – Charles Barkley (USA- Power forwardPhoenix Suns)
1993–94 – Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria- PivotHouston Rockets)
1994–95 – david robinson (USA- PivotSan Antonio Spurs)
1995–96 – Michael Jordan [4] (USA- Come backChicago Bulls)
1996–97 – Karl Malone (USA- Power forwardUtah Jazz)
1997–98 – Michael Jordan [5] (USA- Come backChicago Bulls)
1998–99 – Karl Malone [2] (USA- Power forwardUtah Jazz)
1999–00 – Shaquille O’Neal (USA- PivotLos Angeles Lakers)
2000–01 – Allen Iverson (USA- Come 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- ChiefPhoenix Suns)
2005–06 – Steve Nash [2] (Canada- ChiefPhoenix Suns)
2006–07 – Dirk Nowitzki (Germany – Power forwardDallas Mavericks)
2007–08 – Kobe Bryant (USA- Come backLos Angeles Lakers)
2008–09 – LeBron James (USA- WingerCleveland Cavaliers)
2009–10 – LeBron James [2] (USA- WingerCleveland Cavaliers)
2010–11 – Derrick Rose (USA- ChiefChicago 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- ChiefGolden State Warriors)
2015–16 – Stephen Curry [2] (USA- ChiefGolden State Warriors)
2016–17 – Russell Westbrook (USA- ChiefOklahoma City Thunder)
2017–18 – James Harden (USA- Come 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” are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees and the passing of RJ Barrett at Madison Square Garden.
