NBA MVP Discussion 20/21 (Fresh poll ➥ Vote)

[Sgt Major]

Jokic ripped the Hornets apart, holy ****

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[FinnTheHuman]

Jokic ripped the Hornets apart, holy ****

Watch on YouTube

Man I loved that thing towards the end, at 3:35, with the announcers seeing that J.Green is sneaking on the baseline and saying "Watch Green on the baseline" while Jokic is literally posting up with his back turned to Green. 1 second later, bam, Jokic hits Green with the pass and Green dunks it Jokic is insane.

[JN61]

I’m cool with anyone but Bron winning it. I’m so fuggin sick of him being propped up by the media. If anyone watched the games they would notice he isn’t the same guy he was even a few years ago.

He's been the best player in the world but hasn't won an MVP in 8 years. Your narrative boat has a big leak.

Because in past 8 years he, the man himself has said he coasts in the regular season? Dude barely tries at times and protects his shooting numbers while have had by far best teams at times and regular season records often being so so.

[JN61]

For me the current list is as follows:
Harden
Embiid
Jokic
Giannis
LeBron
Lillard
Curry

Harden has ridiculous last 15 game streak of 27 point triple double and just 1 loss. Embiid is free falling on the rankings with every game missed. Jokic taking his place in next few games. Giannis is slowly creeping up with improved play and improved team record. LeBron has again passed Lillard and Curry with stellar play after the MVP Schröder returned to the lineup. Lillard and Curry slipping due to no significant improvement team record wise and wouldn't be surprised if Doncic soon passes Curry on these lists.

[Homer38]

I’m cool with anyone but Bron winning it. I’m so fuggin sick of him being propped up by the media. If anyone watched the games they would notice he isn’t the same guy he was even a few years ago.

He's been the best player in the world but hasn't won an MVP in 8 years. Your narrative boat has a big leak.

Because in past 8 years he, the man himself has said he coasts in the regular season? Dude barely tries at times and protects his shooting numbers while have had by far best teams at times and regular season records often being so so.

Not true .... He was in the first team all-nba in every year (outside of 2019 when he had an injury) and top 4 in MVP every year outside of 2019 too

He didn't take the regular season as a practice and he never had the luxury of having a team that could be great in the regular season with him like KD in the last 5 years and Kawhi in 2019 .... Of course, he doesn't always give the maximum effort but it's smart because of its age

Last year in the regular season, he gave a very good effort for the most part and this year same thing and he can not coast this year because Davis has been out for half of the season or close to that right now

[JayMKE]

Voting should be about THIS season, not correcting past "mistakes" or giving out lifetime achievement awards. What happened last season and before than shouldn't impact voting about an award in the 2021 season. So many dumb hot takes about Giannis in the playoffs while pumping up guys like Embiid/Jokic/Harden/Luka who have never won anything of significance, the only MVP candidate that has accomplished more than Giannis is Lebron obviously. I think Giannis deserves it more than Lebron, I'd put Embiid & Jokic over him too. Embiid will probably end up missing too many games to be MVP most likely, Harden is penalized for forcing his way out of Houston so it will take a lot for him to win it.

[Dupp]

I’m cool with anyone but Bron winning it. I’m so fuggin sick of him being propped up by the media. If anyone watched the games they would notice he isn’t the same guy he was even a few years ago.

He's been the best player in the world but hasn't won an MVP in 8 years. Your narrative boat has a big leak.

Because in past 8 years he, the man himself has said he coasts in the regular season? Dude barely tries at times and protects his shooting numbers while have had by far best teams at times and regular season records often being so so.

Nothing you just said was true.

[LesGrossman]

I’m cool with anyone but Bron winning it. I’m so fuggin sick of him being propped up by the media. If anyone watched the games they would notice he isn’t the same guy he was even a few years ago.

He's been the best player in the world but hasn't won an MVP in 8 years. Your narrative boat has a big leak.

Just because you keep repeating it doesnt mean its true. Very disrespectful towards all the guys who succeed without colluding and building super teams. Besides, the Bron fraction likes to move the goalposts of what defines the MVP as it suits their narrative - but "best player in the world" is always disregarded referring to team record, availability or roster composition from the same people.

Only a few seasons ago, Steph and KD apparently couldnt be condidered beccause they had a superstar team mate. Now, exacly two guys from 1st team all NBA have partnered up in the recent history of the league and that is LeBron and AD, and it does not seem to stop the same people from pushing his name.

But the MVP is a media driven award, and the media and the league love to push for a last hurrah of their golden boy before he disappears and becomes irrelevant so this whole topic is desperately pushed evn if the supposed "best player in the world" cant do anything without AD.

[LesGrossman]

He's been the best player in the world but hasn't won an MVP in 8 years. Your narrative boat has a big leak.

Because in past 8 years he, the man himself has said he coasts in the regular season? Dude barely tries at times and protects his shooting numbers while have had by far best teams at times and regular season records often being so so.

Nothing you just said was true.

Everything he said is true. See how it works?

Maybe add a bit more reasoning to your statement so we can discuss it, otherwise its your (obviously biased, see your picture) fandom view.

- He said they are coasting
- He slacks off on defense
- He pads his numbers (see how he chased that triple double the other night in a blowout vs. scrubs, sad to watch)

[JN61]

Voting should be about THIS season, not correcting past "mistakes" or giving out lifetime achievement awards. What happened last season and before than shouldn't impact voting about an award in the 2021 season. So many dumb hot takes about Giannis in the playoffs while pumping up guys like Embiid/Jokic/Harden/Luka who have never won anything of significance, the only MVP candidate that has accomplished more than Giannis is Lebron obviously. I think Giannis deserves it more than Lebron, I'd put Embiid & Jokic over him too. Embiid will probably end up missing too many games to be MVP most likely, Harden is penalized for forcing his way out of Houston so it will take a lot for him to win it.

If We look guys like Giannis and Harden, they have been on an absolute tear in last 10/15 games respectively. Giannis averaging ridiculous 32 points 12 rebounds and 7 assists with close to 60% shooting and Harden putting up 27 triple double. Both guys teams have just lost once in 10 game span. Lebron? 25ppg, 8 assists and 7.7 rebound 53% FG, abysmal 32% 3pt% and 65% ft shooting, while team is 5-5. Not very good. Jokic? They are 8-2 in last 10 and he is putting up 28 ppg, 11 rebounds, 8.6 assists with 57% fg%, 45% 3pt%, and 87% ft shooting. Embiid was on a tear as well but he is closing to the point of too many games missed. He is still on the list for me but dropping very fast.

I agree, we shouldn't penalize guys like Harden and Giannis because some narrative from last seasons when they are absolutely killing it this year. Only reason for Jokic not leading this year was because slow start and still pretty much middle of playoff race team record wise. People really need to start following how much these top players are carrying their respective teams (Harden, Giannis, Jokic) while putting up video game like numbers.

[LesGrossman]

Voting should be about THIS season, not correcting past "mistakes" or giving out lifetime achievement awards. What happened last season and before than shouldn't impact voting about an award in the 2021 season. So many dumb hot takes about Giannis in the playoffs while pumping up guys like Embiid/Jokic/Harden/Luka who have never won anything of significance, the only MVP candidate that has accomplished more than Giannis is Lebron obviously. I think Giannis deserves it more than Lebron, I'd put Embiid & Jokic over him too. Embiid will probably end up missing too many games to be MVP most likely, Harden is penalized for forcing his way out of Houston so it will take a lot for him to win it.

If We look guys like Giannis and Harden, they have been on an absolute tear in last 10/15 games respectively. Giannis averaging ridiculous 32 points 12 rebounds and 7 assists with close to 60% shooting and Harden putting up 27 triple double. Both guys teams have just lost once in 10 game span. Lebron? 25ppg, 8 assists and 7.7 rebound 53% FG, abysmal 32% 3pt% and 65% ft shooting, while team is 5-5. Not very good. Jokic? They are 8-2 in last 10 and he is putting up 28 ppg, 11 rebounds, 8.6 assists with 57% fg%, 45% 3pt%, and 87% ft shooting. Embiid was on a tear as well but he is closing to the point of too many games missed. He is still on the list for me but dropping very fast.

I agree, we shouldn't penalize guys like Harden and Giannis because some narrative from last seasons when they are absolutely killing it this year. Only reason for Jokic not leading this year was because slow start and still pretty much middle of playoff race team record wise. People really need to start following how much these top players are carrying their respective teams (Harden, Giannis, Jokic) while putting up video game like numbers.

The whole "he was the best player in the past but didnt get enough so he deserves it" argument is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. We can argue wether he is better than Kobe or not, but Kobe got exactly one MVP. Where were those people when he stole them from Kobe? Kawhi has zero MVP's so far. Is LeBron so much better despite mediocre results, subpar effort and a prime elite team mate to his side that he "deserves" it over Kawhi? Could go on and on but that is the weakest stuff i've ever heard.

We kept hearing "best guy on best team" while the lakers were #1. Now the goalposts and narrative change on a daily basis.

[Homer38]

Because in past 8 years he, the man himself has said he coasts in the regular season? Dude barely tries at times and protects his shooting numbers while have had by far best teams at times and regular season records often being so so.

Nothing you just said was true.

Everything he said is true. See how it works?

Maybe add a bit more reasoning to your statement so we can discuss it, otherwise its your (obviously biased, see your picture) fandom view.

- He said they are coasting
- He slacks off on defense
- He pads his numbers (see how he chased that triple double the other night in a blowout vs. scrubs, sad to watch)

Read on Twitter

[KGtabake]

Listen.
If LeBron wins it, he should win it based on his performance THIS season.
Not for "lifetime achievement".
This isn't the Oscars where the dumb academy awarded Al Pacino in '92 for the "Scent of a woman" because they were feeling guilty for not rewarding The Man for "the Godfather", "Serpico" or the "Scarface"(and the list could go on).

If that's the case there should be only one name in everyone's list and that's Chris Paul.
You know it, i know it, everybody know it.
I want to believe that this isn't the case.

Don't penalize Jokic, Embiid, Giannis or Harden because they didn't make the Finals.
If playoffs are the criteria for a regular season award, then it's LeBron or Steph or KD every year.

The playoffs have their own award and it's been awarded in the Finals.

[JN61]

Voting should be about THIS season, not correcting past "mistakes" or giving out lifetime achievement awards. What happened last season and before than shouldn't impact voting about an award in the 2021 season. So many dumb hot takes about Giannis in the playoffs while pumping up guys like Embiid/Jokic/Harden/Luka who have never won anything of significance, the only MVP candidate that has accomplished more than Giannis is Lebron obviously. I think Giannis deserves it more than Lebron, I'd put Embiid & Jokic over him too. Embiid will probably end up missing too many games to be MVP most likely, Harden is penalized for forcing his way out of Houston so it will take a lot for him to win it.

If We look guys like Giannis and Harden, they have been on an absolute tear in last 10/15 games respectively. Giannis averaging ridiculous 32 points 12 rebounds and 7 assists with close to 60% shooting and Harden putting up 27 triple double. Both guys teams have just lost once in 10 game span. Lebron? 25ppg, 8 assists and 7.7 rebound 53% FG, abysmal 32% 3pt% and 65% ft shooting, while team is 5-5. Not very good. Jokic? They are 8-2 in last 10 and he is putting up 28 ppg, 11 rebounds, 8.6 assists with 57% fg%, 45% 3pt%, and 87% ft shooting. Embiid was on a tear as well but he is closing to the point of too many games missed. He is still on the list for me but dropping very fast.

I agree, we shouldn't penalize guys like Harden and Giannis because some narrative from last seasons when they are absolutely killing it this year. Only reason for Jokic not leading this year was because slow start and still pretty much middle of playoff race team record wise. People really need to start following how much these top players are carrying their respective teams (Harden, Giannis, Jokic) while putting up video game like numbers.

The whole "he was the best player in the past but didnt get enough so he deserves it" argument is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. We can argue wether he is better than Kobe or not, but Kobe got exactly one MVP. Where were those people when he stole them from Kobe? Kawhi has zero MVP's so far. Is LeBron so much better despite mediocre results, subpar effort and a prime elite team mate to his side that he "deserves" it over Kawhi? Could go on and on but that is the weakest stuff i've ever heard.

We kept hearing "best guy on best team" while the lakers were #1. Now the goalposts and narrative change on a daily basis.

Yes, to some degree. I think most reasonable people have Lebron clearly ahead of Bryant, but your point is valid. Bryant was arguably the best player of the league good 6-8 year span or so (doesn't matter how long), yet has just 1 MVP to show for it, because team record, so so play from his part, injuries and so on and so on. Kawhi is the same, his regular season play is just not there, with all the rest, sub bar scoring in past, bad team record for the roster, injuries and so on.

Lebron has similar effect. He has been the clear cut best player of the league in the last decade and has just a few MVPs to show for it. Just because his teams have been mostly average for amount of star power they have on the regular season and Lebron has been clearly coasting entire regular season and just putting up 25-26 ppg, when he was clearly capable of averaging 30/10 every year if he chose to. Lebron just haven't been the regular season player in last 6-7 years and it is fine, the ultimate goal is elsewhere for players of his caliber. However issue rises when those fans just don't to accept it, well they do but they still want to twist the narrative. On playoff threads its how well Lebron always saves himself for playoffs, rests during the regular season and on MVP threads it's how he should have won MVP every year even if he is clearly not even trying, sitting out games and letting teams like Hawks and Raptors dominate his teams in the regular season... Just because he won few championships in 10 year span...?

In my opinion Lebron was significantly better in terms of MVP race last year than this year. I don't know how some people have Lebron leading polls this year, yet had Giannis MVP last year.... Lebron doesn't have even remotely as big role in his team this year as he had last year and they aren't as elite while Lebron isn't putting up as dominant numbers individually.

[Freighttrain]

Nothing you just said was true.

Everything he said is true. See how it works?

Maybe add a bit more reasoning to your statement so we can discuss it, otherwise its your (obviously biased, see your picture) fandom view.

- He said they are coasting
- He slacks off on defense
- He pads his numbers (see how he chased that triple double the other night in a blowout vs. scrubs, sad to watch)

Read on Twitter

Didn't know LeBron was ranked that high, but he has been really solid on that end, so can't say I'm that surprised. Simmons should get the DPOY tho, he's doing amazing stuff every time I watch him.

[Balls Deep]

More than half this forum will need to be put on suicide watch when Bron wins it. My goodness.

[Homer38]

More than half this forum will need to be put on suicide watch when Bron wins it. My goodness.

It'll be fun if that happens .... Also imagine if LBJ wins 2 more rings for the rest of his career and ties Jordan with 6 rings....

[Infinite Llamas]

Watch the Jokic vs Giannis h2h a couple weeks back to see the real MVP in action.

People act like Denver is a middle of the pack team but they’re literally 3 games out of third place. That isn’t a gulf considering the roll the team has been on as of late.

[Balls Deep]

More than half this forum will need to be put on suicide watch when Bron wins it. My goodness.

It'll be fun if that happens .... Also imagine if LBJ wins 2 more rings for the rest of his career and ties Jordan with 6 rings....

Barring any injury, he's winning it. He's playing well and team is near the top of the league. I said in another thread that with LeBron, you know he's the reason for all the success. He is the system everywhere he goes. With everyone else its debatable.

Harden and Giannis aren't winning it, you can't reward those guys anymore. One is too limited of a player and the other guy **** over a franchise's season. Jokic is the only legit threat if the Nuggets finish with a similar record to the Lakers. He's "playing better" but everyone knows LeBron is still the best player in the league.

[Dutchball97]

At this point if Jokic doesn't get injured or massively drops off in level of play I have a hard time seeing anyone else catching him now. Giannis is the closest atm but voter fatigue is a real thing. Embiid and Butler are probably the next best players this season but they most likely missed too much time already. LeBron does have a shot but it'd be based on legacy voting and media bias instead of his play this season.