Of all the MVPs in NBA history, just three have won three consecutive MVP awards. Wilt Chamberlain. Bill Russell. Larry Bird.
That’s it, and Chamberlain and Russell won theirs when players voted for the award before the media began voting for MVP in 1980-81. Bird is the only one to win three in a row with the media in charge.
Will Denver’s Nikola Jokic win this third consecutive this season? Seems unlikely.
Besides Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (twice), Moses Malone, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, LeBron James (twice), Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo had a chance to win three in a row.
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The one thing the NBA could have is a third consecutive international player win the award with possibly Joel Embiid or Luka Doncic winning it following Antetokounmpo and Jokic.
Here’s a look at some of the top MVP candidates headed into 2022-23:
Denver’s Nikola Jokic
Last season, Jokic needed a better season than he had in 2020-21 to get his second MVP award, and he did just that, averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.5 steals and shooting 58.3% from the field and 33.7% on 3-pointers. He has an unbelievable skill set as a shooter, passer and rebounder, and with no offense to the great passing big men, he may go down as the best ever. To be a three-time MVP, Jokic again needs to have a better season than last season and the Nuggets need to be a top-two team in the West – not sixth place as they were in 2021-22.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo finished third last season for the award, and at 27 is entering the prime of his career. He has another MVP in him. Will it be this season? Last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals and shot 55.3% from the field – another great season following up a regular-season and Finals MVP season in 2020-21. The scary part: He’s a two-way player who can improve his 3-pointers and free throws.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid
As much as any player in the league, Embiid wants to win this award. He came close last season, finishing second just behind Jokic. Embiid led the league in scoring at 30.6 points per game, and he averaged 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals and shot 49.9% from the field and 37.1% on 3s. He has the ability to impact games on both ends. If James Harden has a good season, the Sixers are a top team in the East and Embiid, 28, has another great season, he could be headed for his first MVP award.
Dallas’ Luka Doncic
Doncic, 23, averaged 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.2 steals and shot 45.7% from the field and 35.3% on 3s and helped the Mavericks reach the conference finals for the first time since 2011. There is no doubt Doncic is part of the league’s present and future group of superstars. He finished fifth in last year’s voting, and like any great young player at this age, Doncic has room for improvement. Tightening his efficiency and better defense will elevate his status in the MVP discussion.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum
Former Washington coach Scott Brooks once said it’s not a matter of if Tatum wins an MVP but when. Tatum helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals, he was great in the conference finals and averaged 26.9 points, 8 rebounds and 4.4 assists and shot 45.3% from the field and 35.3% on 3s during the regular season, making first-team All-NBA for the first time. Now the Celtics start the season under the cloud of the Ime Udoka situation, but Tatum should be able to excel again.
Phoenix’s Devin Booker
Last season, Booker finished fourth in MVP voting after he averaged 26.8 points, 5 rebounds and 4.8 assists and shot 46.6% from the field and 38.3% on 3-pointers. The Suns reached the Finals in 2021 and the conference semifinals in 2022 and are expected to be in the mix for the West title again this season – and Booker will be at the center of Phoenix’s attack. He was an All-NBA selection (first team) for the first time in 2021-22, and all signs point to an even better Booker this season.
Golden State’s Steph Curry
Curry last won the award in 2016, but Antetokounmpo just called Curry the best player in the world by virtue of Golden State’s title last season and Curry winning Finals MVP. Can he keep the momentum going and win his third MVP, which would tie Karl Malone as the oldest NBA player (35) to win the award? Curry finished eighth last season: 25.5 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game and nearly 40% on 3s.
Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant
Durant is still considered one of the game’s elite performers, and in 55 games last season he averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists while shooting 51.8% from the field, 38.3% on 3s and 91% on free throws. He went through an offseason in which he requested a trade. That didn’t happen, but if he plays like that again and the Nets are a contender (and not dysfunctional), Durant will have a shot at his second MVP award after winning it in 2014.
Memphis’ Ja Morant
Just 23 and entering his fourth MVP season, Morant might be too early in his career to win the award. He finished seventh last season and was second-team All-NBA after posting 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game on a team with the second-best record in the West. He was the league’s Most Improved Player last season, and if he continues on that path he will be in the discussion. He is an elite finisher at the rim, and his shot should improve, too.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James
Let’s not count out James just yet. He didn’t play in enough games to qualify among league leaders in 2021-22, but in 56 games he averaged 30.3 points (highest since 2005-06), 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks and shot 52.4% from the field and 35.9% on 3-pointers. If they remain healthy, the Lakers are among the top teams in the West and James puts together another remarkable season, he will garner attention. While winning titles is the most important thing for James at this stage of his career, another MVP award this deep into his career would be a significant accomplishment.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA MVP candidates: Nikola Jokic again? Or Giannis, Jayson Tatum?
