NBA MVP Discussion Thread 2023-24 (Part 5: So who's winning MVP? )

[Yuri36]

Luka now has 50 games this season of 30+ points scored after Dallas beat Charlotte.

He leads the league in PPG and Total Points, and probably leads in Total Points Created (Total Points + Points from his assists).

I don't think he'll win MVP, but it's been a great season so far.

A great season?
That's one of the greatest individual season in history, man....and that's without even taking account of the 73 pts game.

Now the narrative is Luka's recent hot streak in Feb and March (2x player of the month) making late push... Only if he was consistent in Jan (37.1/9.2/10.4), Dec (37.5/8.9/11.1), and opening month (31.1/8.0/7.9)...

His haters and Joker/SGA's fanboys have just simply not anything left to say.
Even the +/- stat lovers who were using it the whole year to justify why he was way behind Joker and SGA are left totally bemused and without anything to say now that his +/- stat has suddenly skyrocketed since the arrivals of Gafford and PJ.

I guess he might have suddenly become twice or three times the player he was just before those trades

[Johnny Firpo]

Luka averages 8.4 defensive rebounds per game same elite centers Adebayo and Wembanyama.

This is why tracking data is useful.
Luka has 9.2 rebounds per game, but only 1.9 of those are contested rebounds. He also only defers 0.7 rebounds per game. If you add up his contested rebounds and deferred rebounds, he has 2.6 adjusted rebounds per game. By contrast Jokic has 5.6 contested rebounds per game and defers 1.4 rebounds per game. If you add up the amount of contested rebounds and deferred rebounds, he has 7 adjusted rebounds per game. https://www.nba.com/stats/players/rebounding?CF=GP*G*30:MIN*G*20&dir=D&sort=REB_CONTEST

And what's crazy is that he has 14 rebound chances per game. Westbrook in his MVP season, had 20 per game, meaning he spent as much time under the basket as Jokic or Sabonis does basically.

[Wolfgang630]

This is almost over

[Sgt Major]

Bring back Embiid fans, they were far more entertaining than these guys.

[AleksandarN]

Luka averages 8.4 defensive rebounds per game same elite centers Adebayo and Wembanyama.

This is why tracking data is useful.
Luka has 9.2 rebounds per game, but only 1.9 of those are contested rebounds. He also only defers 0.7 rebounds per game. If you add up his contested rebounds and deferred rebounds, he has 2.6 adjusted rebounds per game. By contrast Jokic has 5.6 contested rebounds per game and defers 1.4 rebounds per game. If you add up the amount of contested rebounds and deferred rebounds, he has 7 adjusted rebounds per game. https://www.nba.com/stats/players/rebounding?CF=GP*G*30:MIN*G*20&dir=D&sort=REB_CONTEST

And what's crazy is that he has 14 rebound chances per game. Westbrook in his MVP season, had 20 per game, meaning he spent as much time under the basket as Jokic or Sabonis does basically.

That’s not true. Look how many contested rebounds he got here

Watch on YouTube

[QPR]

Bring back Embiid fans, they were far more entertaining than these guys.

There's a serious victim complex being established. Who doesn't like Luka?

He just isn't the MVP over Jokic, and will finish either 2nd or 3rd.

[Sgt Major]

Bring back Embiid fans, they were far more entertaining than these guys.

There's a serious victim complex being established. Who doesn't like Luka?

He just isn't the MVP over Jokic, and will finish either 2nd or 3rd.

I like Luka, he's currently the 2nd best player in the league, the runner-up for MVP and he's a great guy.

[Bob8]

SGA back from injury putting up 40/7/4 plus 2 steals 2 blocks in a win over a desperate Kings team.

SGA hasn't had any good publicity for almost a month now between playing injured, then missing games from said injury, then having team lose without him. It has helped Dallas closed the gap between them and OKC to only 5 games and allowed Luka to get momentum for second place in the MVP race with consistent big performances.

OKC vs Dallas is the final game of the season and could well be a straight shoot out for 2nd in MVP. SGA probably would have to outplay Luka and get the win given the momentum of the players/teams. SGA might also have to pair that with a big game against Giannis in OKC's second to last game of the season.

I doubt very much that important Mavs players will play that game. Game will be meaningless for Mavs.

[DrModesty]

SGA back from injury putting up 40/7/4 plus 2 steals 2 blocks in a win over a desperate Kings team.

SGA hasn't had any good publicity for almost a month now between playing injured, then missing games from said injury, then having team lose without him. It has helped Dallas closed the gap between them and OKC to only 5 games and allowed Luka to get momentum for second place in the MVP race with consistent big performances.

OKC vs Dallas is the final game of the season and could well be a straight shoot out for 2nd in MVP. SGA probably would have to outplay Luka and get the win given the momentum of the players/teams. SGA might also have to pair that with a big game against Giannis in OKC's second to last game of the season.

I doubt very much that important Mavs players will play that game. Game will be meaningless for Mavs.

I guess it has gotten quite likely that Dallas are locked in at 5.

[Bob8]

I would rest Luka and Kyrie all 3 games. Maybe even Exum knowing his injury history, just playing safe.

[hagredionis]

Notice how nobody ever talked about "contested rebounds" in this thread before I mentioned Luka averages same number of defensive rebounds as DPOY candidate Wembanyama. But come on obviously a center will get more contested rebounds than a PG it's just the way it is. It's a bit like when people say that advanced stats efficiency is somehow an argument for Jokic over Doncic even tho a center is always more efficient than a PG, it's how basketball works. Meanwhile Luka broke yet another record, most points scored by a Mav in a single season (now he has 2341 points), a record which stood from 1983-1984. Once again Luka doing stuff that nobody could do for 40 years, not even Dirk. A historical MVP season by Luka. And the good thing is the talking heads are starting to notice and this MVP race is going to be much closer than what many people expect.

[AleksandarN]

Notice how nobody ever talked about "contested rebounds" in this thread before I mentioned Luka averages same number of defensive rebounds as DPOY candidate Wembanyama. But come on obviously a center will get more contested rebounds than a PG it's just the way it is. It's a bit like when people say that advanced stats efficiency is somehow an argument for Jokic over Doncic even tho a center is always more efficient than a PG, it's how basketball works. Meanwhile Luka broke yet another record, most points scored by a Mav in a single season (now he has 2341 points), a record which stood from 1983-1984. Once again Luka doing stuff that nobody could do for 40 years, not even Dirk. A historical MVP season by Luka. And the good thing is the talking heads are starting to notice and this MVP race is going to be much closer than what many people expect.

Nobody could do? You are bringing up individual team stats now that’s a stretch. Harden had 2800 points in 2019. You make it sound like it has been 40 yrs since someone scored 2300 points. What are we doing

[Bob8]

Notice how nobody ever talked about "contested rebounds" in this thread before I mentioned Luka averages same number of defensive rebounds as DPOY candidate Wembanyama. But come on obviously a center will get more contested rebounds than a PG it's just the way it is. It's a bit like when people say that advanced stats efficiency is somehow an argument for Jokic over Doncic even tho a center is always more efficient than a PG, it's how basketball works. Meanwhile Luka broke yet another record, most points scored by a Mav in a single season (now he has 2341 points), a record which stood from 1983-1984. Once again Luka doing stuff that nobody could do for 40 years, not even Dirk. A historical MVP season by Luka. And the good thing is the talking heads are starting to notice and this MVP race is going to be much closer than what many people expect.

Nobody could do? You are bringing up individual team stats now that’s a stretch. Harden had 2800 points in 2019. You make it sound like it has been 40 yrs since someone scored 2300 points. What are we doing

It's Mavs' record. 25 years old player breaking majority of his team's records is something not exactly normal.

You might not see it, but do you know that you try to diminish anything Luka does? I don't see Mavs fans saying anything bad about Jokic.

Jokic will win MVP, it's over. Jokic doesn't need your help. You can continue of course, but don't blame Mavs' fans for being irritated. 34/9/10 with very good efficiency is pretty special season, for sure worth praising from Luka's fans.


I hope Mavs and Nuggets meet in playoffs and we will see, if Jokic is really that much better.

[AleksandarN]

Notice how nobody ever talked about "contested rebounds" in this thread before I mentioned Luka averages same number of defensive rebounds as DPOY candidate Wembanyama. But come on obviously a center will get more contested rebounds than a PG it's just the way it is. It's a bit like when people say that advanced stats efficiency is somehow an argument for Jokic over Doncic even tho a center is always more efficient than a PG, it's how basketball works. Meanwhile Luka broke yet another record, most points scored by a Mav in a single season (now he has 2341 points), a record which stood from 1983-1984. Once again Luka doing stuff that nobody could do for 40 years, not even Dirk. A historical MVP season by Luka. And the good thing is the talking heads are starting to notice and this MVP race is going to be much closer than what many people expect.

Nobody could do? You are bringing up individual team stats now that’s a stretch. Harden had 2800 points in 2019. You make it sound like it has been 40 yrs since someone scored 2300 points. What are we doing

It's Mavs' record. 25 years old player breaking majority of his team's records is something not exactly normal.

You might not see it, but do you know that you try to diminish anything Luka does? I don't see Mavs fans saying anything bad about Jokic.

Jokic will win MVP, it's over. Jokic doesn't need your help. You can continue of course, but don't blame Mavs' fans for being irritated. 34/9/10 with very good efficiency is pretty special season, for sure worth praising from Luka's fans.

My question is why bring up a team record. This is about the MVP. Bring up any NBA record Luka has this season I have no problem with it. The post I was replying to was stretching it hence my post.

[AleksandarN]

Notice how nobody ever talked about "contested rebounds" in this thread before I mentioned Luka averages same number of defensive rebounds as DPOY candidate Wembanyama. But come on obviously a center will get more contested rebounds than a PG it's just the way it is. It's a bit like when people say that advanced stats efficiency is somehow an argument for Jokic over Doncic even tho a center is always more efficient than a PG, it's how basketball works. Meanwhile Luka broke yet another record, most points scored by a Mav in a single season (now he has 2341 points), a record which stood from 1983-1984. Once again Luka doing stuff that nobody could do for 40 years, not even Dirk. A historical MVP season by Luka. And the good thing is the talking heads are starting to notice and this MVP race is going to be much closer than what many people expect.

Nobody could do? You are bringing up individual team stats now that’s a stretch. Harden had 2800 points in 2019. You make it sound like it has been 40 yrs since someone scored 2300 points. What are we doing

It's Mavs' record. 25 years old player breaking majority of his team's records is something not exactly normal.

You might not see it, but do you know that you try to diminish anything Luka does? I don't see Mavs fans saying anything bad about Jokic.

Jokic will win MVP, it's over. Jokic doesn't need your help. You can continue of course, but don't blame Mavs' fans for being irritated. 34/9/10 with very good efficiency is pretty special season, for sure worth praising from Luka's fans.


I hope Mavs and Nuggets meet in playoffs and we will see, if Jokic is really that much better.

That will be a great series. I will look forward to it

[Bob8]

Nobody could do? You are bringing up individual team stats now that’s a stretch. Harden had 2800 points in 2019. You make it sound like it has been 40 yrs since someone scored 2300 points. What are we doing

It's Mavs' record. 25 years old player breaking majority of his team's records is something not exactly normal.

You might not see it, but do you know that you try to diminish anything Luka does? I don't see Mavs fans saying anything bad about Jokic.

Jokic will win MVP, it's over. Jokic doesn't need your help. You can continue of course, but don't blame Mavs' fans for being irritated. 34/9/10 with very good efficiency is pretty special season, for sure worth praising from Luka's fans.

My question is why bring up a team record. This is about the MVP. Bring up any NBA record Luka has this season I have no problem with it. The post I was replying to was stretching it hence my post.

You're in more or less every Luka's post, try to diminish what he has done. Do you see anyone questioning Jokic's season? Mavs fans are talking how good Luka is, pretty normal after his historical box score season, not doubting about Jokic's season. I would say that vast majority of Luka's fans have no problem giving MVP to Jokic.

[AleksandarN]

It's Mavs' record. 25 years old player breaking majority of his team's records is something not exactly normal.

You might not see it, but do you know that you try to diminish anything Luka does? I don't see Mavs fans saying anything bad about Jokic.

Jokic will win MVP, it's over. Jokic doesn't need your help. You can continue of course, but don't blame Mavs' fans for being irritated. 34/9/10 with very good efficiency is pretty special season, for sure worth praising from Luka's fans.

My question is why bring up a team record. This is about the MVP. Bring up any NBA record Luka has this season I have no problem with it. The post I was replying to was stretching it hence my post.

You're in more or less every Luka's post, try to diminish what he has done. Do you see anyone questioning Jokic's season? Mavs fans are talking how good Luka is, pretty normal after historical box score season, not doubting about Jokic's season. I would say that majority of Luka's fans have no problem giving MVP to Jokic.

Diminish? Really when someone posts comparing Luka’s season to Jokic’s 22 season of course I would reply to it. when I think the comparison doesn’t make sense. It nothing to do with Luka. He is great, second best player in the NBA.

[MoneyTalks41890]

This is the most grating runner up campaign in recent memory

[Bob8]

This is the most grating runner up campaign in recent memory

And? We should stop posting, because race is over?

[hagredionis]

Nobody could do? You are bringing up individual team stats now that’s a stretch. Harden had 2800 points in 2019. You make it sound like it has been 40 yrs since someone scored 2300 points. What are we doing

But why exactly shouldn't I? Luka broke a franchise single season scoring record that stood for 40 years, how is that not relevant for the amazing, historical season he's having?