The 2021/22 MVP race is one for the ages, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic, who contends that we “aren’t talking about it nearly enough.” As Hollinger outlines, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sixers center Joel Embiid are each in the midst of a historic season and would be a clear MVP frontrunner if it weren’t for the presence of the other two.
If the season ended today, Hollinger notes, Jokic (32.3) and Antetokounmpo (32.0) would have the two highest single-season PERs in NBA history, while Embiid’s (31.0) would also make the top 10. Hollinger says he’d pick Jokic for MVP if forced to decide right now, but with over a month left in the season, there’s still plenty of time for Antetokounmpo and Embiid to strengthen their cases.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Gerry Cardinale, a shareholder in Fenway Sports Group, says that adding an NBA franchise is “a real top priority” for the massive Boston-based firm, as Michael Silverman of The Boston Globe writes. The FSG conglomerate already owns MLB’s Boston Red Sox, the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Premier League’s Liverpool FC.
- Wake Forest guard Alondes Williams, Kansas guard Christian Braun, and Colorado State forward David Roddy are among the best bets to further improve their draft stock with strong performances to finish out the NCAA season, says Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. Wasserman also singles out four other prospects who are candidates to rise up draft boards in the coming weeks.
- Touching on several stories from around the NBA in his latest article for The Ringer, Kevin O’Connor makes a case for why the Knicks should lean more heavily on their young players, breaks down what Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans have brought to the Mavericks, and praises the work the Rockets have done developing their rookies this season. O’Connor also argues that the NBA should tweak its playoff format to allow top seeds to pick their first-round opponents.
I think Jokic deserves it the most. He is unrelenting force…
I wonder if LBJ would have to divest his interests in FSG if they decide to buy an NBA team while he’s still an active NBA player? Sounds crazy to even utter those words. Dudes one of the greatest NBA players while also being part owner of other professional sports teams.
Likely yes. Which is why it probably takes a few years.
I feel like I have to premise this by saying I’m not bashing LeBron..
How much of a stake does he actually have in that group? I was thinking it was only like 1% or maybe less.
Also, I suppose if the group was able to snag an NBA franchise now, LeBron could conceivably give up his stake with an option to buy it back once his playing days are over. Then again, could he be involved in a front office capacity and be part of the ownership group? Even if it was the team he partially owned (seems like there was something with Magic Johnson and the Lakers years ago, but I don’t recall what it was)?
He co-owns 2% along with Maverick Carter. It’s valued at about 42 mil now.
Good stuff by Oconnor.
FenwaySG made few fans in Liverpool until they lucked into Salah.
Hope we aren’t using PER to decide on a the leagues “most valuable player” to their team.
You’re right Jokic doesn’t pass the eye test LMAO hot take alert weeeoooo
That has nothing to do with what I said, but ok.
A problem with PER or any combo metric? Have a favorite stat?
Anyway I am not aware the award is for MVP to a team— seems like it goes to the best player generally. NBA MVP
Is MVP the most valuable player to your team or most valuable player to the League.
Conceivably a team can have a BIG 6 and have the 6 best players in the League and the 7th best player can play on the 2nd best team and be way more valuable to their team than anyone of the BIG 6.
Jokic is light years ahead of the field!
1/ Jokic
2/ Giannis
3/ Embiid
4/ LBJ