MVP Race
1. Lebron James
Lebron James has consistently been the most valuable player in the NBA. It is almost amazing that he hasn't taken home the award since 2013. He is in the MVP discussion every single season and finished second in voting three times and third in voting twice since he last took home the award. At age 36, Lebron is already playing at an MVP level. Through seven games, James leads the 5-2 Lakers in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and steals. His numbers are slightly down to start this season, averaging 23.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, but he is also playing the least amount of minutes per game of his career.
2. Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid looks dominant so far to start the season. Embiid is averaging 23.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 blocks on the best team in the NBA so far this season. While his numbers aren't jumping off the page, he is playing extremely efficient offense and anchoring the leagues top defense.
3. Steph Curry
Steph Curry is already putting up huge numbers so far this season, averaging 32 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. He is scoring in bunches and already had a signature 62 point outing against Portland the other night. The biggest thing holding Steph back in the MVP race is team success. He will have to keep the Warriors above .500 to stay relevant in MVP consideration.
4. Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic is playing the best basketball of his career to start the season. Jokic is averaging a triple double while leading the league in assists. Jokic has scored or assisted on more points than any other player in the NBA while sitting at 2nd in the NBA in net efficiency. Jokic is dominating every statistical metric. His team success is the only thing holding him back so far as the Nuggets are 2-4 to start the season, but they are a talented team and will start winning games at a higher rate.
5. James Harden
Despite all the uncertainty surrounding the future of James Harden as a Rocket, he is still producing at an MVP level. In his 4 games played this season he is averaging 33 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds. The distractions will make it very difficult for James to win MVP this year, but if he stays on the Rockets he will continue to put up ridiculous numbers.
Honorable Mentions:
Kevin Durant:
Kevin Durant is back to his old self. Durant is averaging 28 points per game at an insanely efficient 51% from the field with a 66% true shooting percentage, which would be his career high. Despite the slow start from Brooklyn, they are 33.1 points per 100 possessions better with Durant on the floor. That's the highest differential among all players this season. Durant would be in the top 5 if he didn't have to miss the next week of play due to COVID-19 protocols. The biggest thing that will hold KD back this year is the potential load management coming off an 18 month absence from a torn achilles.
Trae Young:
Trae Young has the Hawks playing their best basketball in years. He is averaging 28 points and 9 assists per game to start the season while leading the young Hawks to a 4-3 record. If Trae can keep the Hawks in the playoff mix he will be an MVP candidate.