Top 3 potential MVP candidates right now

The NBA season has gained some traction now as most teams have played twenty or more games so far, and teams are beginning to find their footing and a general sense of how they match up amongst other teams in the league. 

This season has brought us many shockers and unpredictable records from teams and performances from players. Let's dissect the top three potential MVP candidates for the 2022-23 NBA season. 

So, who is in the conversation? 

You could argue that 10 different players are the most valuable players based on their statistics or how important they are to their team. The top candidates, in no particular order: Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Kevin Durant. 

1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Season Stats: 32.9 PPG, 8.6 REB, 8.7 APG

The leading candidate has to be the 23-year-old star from Slovenia, Luka Doncic. Doncic put up 41 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Dallas Mavericks' win against the Golden State Warriors in late November.

Although the Mavericks are currently sitting at a (13-11) season record, Doncic's accomplishments should not be overlooked. Doncic currently leads the league in multiple categories, such as EFF (35.5), PPG (32.9), and PIE (21.9). 

The only thing that could hold Doncic back from achieving MVP status would be the Mavericks' overall season success. But, other than that, Doncic has been sensational. 

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2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Season Stats: 30.5 PPG, 8.2 REB, 4.1 APG

Second, we have the best player on the best team. Coming off his first NBA Finals appearance, Jayson Tatum is the leader of the number-one-seed Boston Celtics as they currently sit at (21-5), the best record in the entire league. This is where many people will have disagreements about what being the MVP entails. 

The MVP is traditionally awarded to the best player on one of the top teams in the league. Players are rarely awarded the MVP for being below a top-three seed. Only six players on teams with below a 60 percent winning percentage have won MVP in NBA history. 

If the Celtics keep up what they're doing and secure the best record in the league at the end of the season, and the Mavericks aren't in the top five, Tatum could very well take home the MVP over Doncic. 

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3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Season Stats: 32 PPG, 11.1 REB, 5.5 APG

Third, the back-to-back MVP in 2019 and 2020 has again put himself in the talks of MVP. The Bucks are currently the second seed with a record of 18-6 and are one of the league's best teams and pose a real threat to the Celtics for who could make it to the finals out of the Eastern Conference. 

Besides Antetokounmpo's MVP awards, he has also been awarded the 2016-17 Most Improved Player, 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year, 2021 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, 2021 NBA Champion, 2021 Finals Most Valuable Player, and the 2021-22 NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

There is no doubt that he is capable of being considered the most valuable. However, the only thing that could prevent Antetokounmpo from winning his third MVP award is none other than voter fatigue. Yes, voter fatigue. 

The media and people around the NBA love a good narrative and need to have someone new win the award because it is exciting and will bring attention to the NBA. Nonetheless, if his individual and team success continues, he has put himself in a good position to deserve the MVP award.

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In finality, these top three could change as players and teams emerge or fall behind. There is no clear-cut finalist for the MVP award, but a handful of players have great campaigns, as the season is about ¼ of the way completed. It will be exhilarating to see who earns this award.