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The 2020 – 2021 NBA Most Valuable Player Race Halfway Through the Season
Introduction
As we are now at the 2020-2021 All-Star break and halfway through the 2020-2021 regular season of the National Basketball Association it is a perfect time to look at as well as analyze the race for the Most Valuable Player award for this year. There are 5 to 10 outstanding candidates that are rising above all others in order to help their team win. Below are the top 5 MVP contenders for the 2020 – 2021 NBA regular season.
1.) Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers is running away with the honor at this point of the 2020 – 2021 NBA season as he is having one hell of a year. Embiid is averaging 30.2 points per game, 11.6 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, 1.4 blocks per game, and 1.2 steals per game. He is a physical force on both sides of the ball as he dominates all over the court. The Philadelphia 76ers are currently sitting in the first – place spot in the Eastern Conference of the NBA.
Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 4 Time NBA All – Star (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- 2 Time All – NBA Second Team (2018, 2019)
- 2 Time NBA All – Defensive Second Team (2018, 2019)
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2017)
- Second – Team All – Big 12 (2014)
- Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
- Big 12 All – Defensive Team (2014)
- Big 12 All – Newcomer Team (2014)
2.) Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is currently sitting in second place of the NBA race, and if you look at his numbers it is obvious what he does day in and day out for the Nuggets basketball team. “The Joker” is averaging 27.1 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game, 8.6 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game. His all – around skill set makes him a quiet but deadly giant in the NBA as he feeds his team in every way possible on the basketball court.
He is definitely underrated for how good of a basketball player he is, and just because he is not a sexy choice does not mean he doesn’t deserve the MVP of the National Basketball Association. Currently the Denver Nuggets are resting in 6th place in the Western Conference of the NBA.
Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 3 Time NBA All – Star (2019, 2020, 2021)
- All – NBA First Team (2019)
- All – NBA Second Team (2020)
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2016)
- Serbian Player of the Year (2018)
- ABA League MVP (2015)
- ABA League Top Prospect (2015)
LeBron James
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is definitely picking up the slack for his team as their other key core player in Anthony Davis is hurt at the moment and not on the court for the LA Lakers. James is averaging 25.8 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game, 7.8 assists per game, and 1.1 steals per game. This would be “King James’” fifth regular season NBA MVP if he can win it this year. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently in the 3rd spot in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association.
Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 4 Time NBA Champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- 4 Time NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- 4 Time NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
- 17 Time NBA All – Star (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- 3 Time NBA All – Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018)
- 13 Time All – NBA First Team (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020)
- 2 Time All – NBA Second Team (2005, 2007)
- All – NBA Third Team (2019)
- 5 Time NBA All – Defensive First Team (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
- NBA All – Defensive Second Team (2014)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2004)
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2004)
- NBA Scoring Champion (2008)
- NBA Assists Leader (2020)
- J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2017)
- 4 Time AP Athlete of the Year (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020)
- 3 Time Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012, 2016, 2020)
- Time Athlete of the Year (2020)
- USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2012)
- 2 Time National High School Player of the Year (2002, 2003)
- McDonald's All – American Game MVP (2003)
- 2 Time First – Team Parade All – American (2002, 2003)
- 3 Time Ohio Mr. Basketball (2001, 2002, 2003)
Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is once again lighting up the NBA with his long – range sharp shooting and clutch game winning efforts. He is averaging 29.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 8.0 assists per game, and 1.0 steals per game. The Portland Trail Blazers are currently holding down the 5th spot in the Western Conference standings of the NBA.
Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 6 Time NBA All – Star (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- All – NBA First Team (2018)
- 3 Time All – NBA Second Team (2016, 2019, 2020)
- All – NBA Third Team (2014)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2013)
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2013)
- J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2019)
- Third – Team All – American – AP, NABC (2012)
- 2 Time Big Sky Player of the Year (2010, 2012)
- Big Sky Freshman of the Year (2009)
- 3 Time First – Team All – Big Sky (2009, 2010, 2012)
- Number 1 Retired by Weber State Wildcats
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is paving the way as the best young player in the National Basketball Association, and he only just keeps getting better every time I watch the youngster attack a basketball game. He is averaging 28.6 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game, 9.0 assists per game, and 1.0 steals per game. His Dallas Mavericks are currently possessing control of the 8th spot in the Western Conference standings of the NBA at the 2020 – 2021 NBA All – Star break.
Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
- 2 Time NBA All – Star (2020, 2021)
- All – NBA First Team (2020)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2019)
- NBA All – Rookie First Team (2019)
- Euro League 2010 – 2020 All – Decade Team (2020)
- Euro League Champion (2018)
- Euro League MVP (2018)
- Euro League Final Four MVP (2018)
- All – Euro League First Team (2018)
- 2 Time Euro League Rising Star (2017, 2018)
- Euroscar Player of the Year (2019)
- 3 Time Liga ACB Champion (2015, 2016, 2018)
- Liga ACB MVP (2018)
- All – Liga ACB First Team (2018)
- 2 Time ACB Best Young Player (2017, 2018)
- 3 Time ACB All – Young Players Team (2016, 2017, 2018)
- 2 Time Spanish King's Cup Winner (2016, 2017)
- Sports Illustrated Breakout of the Year (2019)
- 2 Time Trofeo Costa de Sol Champion (2016, 2017)
- FIBA Intercontinental Cup Champion (2015)
- EB Next Generation Tournament Champion (2015)
- EB Next Generation Tournament MVP (2015)
- 3 Time Torneo de L'Hospitalet Champion (2013, 2014, 2015)
- Torneo de L'Hospitalet MVP (2013)
- Minicopa Endesa Champion (2013)
- Minicopa del Rey MVP (2013)
- Under – 14 Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup MVP (2011)
- Slovenian Sportsman of the Year (2018)
Odds to Win the 2020 – 2021 Regular Season MVP
According to Intertops sportsbook these are the odds as of Sunday, March 7th, 2021 to win the 2020 – 2021 NBA regular season MVP outright.
| Player Odds |
|---|
| LeBron James +150 |
| Joel Embiid +230 |
| Nikola Jokic +450 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo +1100 |
| Luka Doncic +1100 |
| Stephen Curry +1400 |
| James Harden +1400 |
| Damian Lillard +2000 |
| Kevin Durant +2200 |
| Kawhi Leonard +2500 |
| Donovan Mitchell +3300 |
| Jayson Tatum +8000 |
| Paul George +8000 |
| Devin Booker +10000 |
| Trae Young +10000 |
| Zion Williamson +10000 |
| Kyrie Irving +12500 |
| Ja Morant +12500 |
| Nikola Vucevic +12500 |
| Anthony Davis +15000 |
| Russell Westbrook +15000 |
| Jaylen Brown +15000 |
| Bradley Beal +20000 |
| Rudy Gobert +25000 |
Sources:
“NBA Standings 2020 – 21”, espn.com, March 7, 2021.
“Kia MVP Ladder: Joel Embiid boosts his case for No. 1 in win vs. Jazz: Joel Embiid remains atop our list, but Damian Lillard, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are rising fast.”, Michael C. Wright, nba.com, March 7, 2021.
“United States, NBA Futures – NBA 2020 / 21 Regular Season MVP: To Win Outright”, intertops.eu, March 7, 2021.