All indications are the Nikola Jokic-Joel Embiid-Giannis Antetokounmpo showdown is once again going to dictate who winds up with another piece of shiny hardware.
MVP battle resemble a JumboTron dot race limited to three main contestants constantly changing position until one emerges with a narrow victory?
Well, buckle up — all indications are the Nikola Jokic-Joel Embiid-Giannis Antetokounmpo showdown is once again going to dictate who winds up with another piece of shiny hardware on their mantle. Those balking at the idea that the reigning MVP, Embiid, couldn't possibly repeat after yet another disappointing second-round playoff exit are oblivious to several realities.
One, repeat winners is kind of a thing. Of the 13 winners before Embiid, seven won it twice in a row. The latest back-to-back MVP, Jokic, did it despite getting swept out of the second round after his first one. Two, Embiid's 76ers should still have one of the league's better records despite the ruckus by, and potential absence of,without a definitive No. 2 and will be lauded if he does. Voters have short memories and stubbornly cling to the argument that it is a regular-season award.The intrigue is going to be if an up-and-coming star can break up that trifecta at the top of everyone's ballot and put everyone on notice that they're tracking toward eventually being No. 1.
Consider this, FOX Sports' opening MVP Ladder — which will be updated monthly — as a harbinger of who could receive the most votes at year's end.Ric Bucher is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. He previously wrote for Bleacher Report, ESPN The Magazine and The Washington Post and has written two books,"Rebound," on NBA forward Brian Grant’s battle with young onset Parkinson’s, and"Yao: A Life In Two Worlds." He also has a daily podcast,"On The Ball with Ric Bucher.
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