We’re tracking the NBA MVP odds to see who are the leading contenders for this season’s prestigious individual award.
All the greats of the game have picked up this gong, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar boasting a record six victories, ahead of Bill Russell and Michael Jordan on five.
Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James are both four-time recipients of the NBA Most Valuable Player award, with Moses Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson on three.
Here are this year’s top candidates to join the illustrious roll of honour:
NIKOLA JOKIC @ 4/6
The 6ft 11in Denver centre has claimed this award for the past two seasons, averaging 26.4 points per game in 2020-21 and then 27.1 last term, but was 9/1 before the current campaign started as no player had completed a hat-trick since Chamberlain in the 1960s. The Joker, an Olympic silver medallist with Serbia, is down on those numbers this time but once again features high up in the rebounds table and has upped his assists tally. With the Nuggets flying high in the Western Conference, Jokic’s all-round game will again appeal to many voters.
JOEL EMBIID @ 7/2
Born in Cameroon, the 28-year-old 7ft centre moved to America aged 16 to focus on a career in basketball and has been a Philadelphia 76ers stalwart since being picked third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. He became the first player of his height and position to lead the scoring charts in 2021-22 and has achieved an even more prolific strike rate in that department this term. After being runner-up to Jokic twice, is it Embiid’s turn?
LUKA DONCIC @ 8/1
After starring for Real Madrid and Slovenia as a youngster, the 23-year-old point guard was snapped up as the third overall pick in the 2018 draft by Dallas and earned NBA Rookie of the Year honours. Already a four-time All-Star and the Mavericks’ franchise leader in career triple-doubles, Doncic is setting a ferocious pace in terms of scoring points this season.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO @ 8/1
The 7ft Greek Freak has established himself as one of the greatest power forwards the sport has ever seen, picking up this gong in 2019 and 2020. Only Abdul-Jabbar and James had previously prevailed more than once before turning 26. Now 28, Antetokounmpo remains a defensive kingpin, especially in terms of rebounds, and is once more right up there with regards scoring points as Milwaukee Bucks challenge for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
JAYSON TATUM @ 16/1
A gold medal winner for the USA at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Tatum was inspirational in helping Boston to reach last year’s NBA Finals and the Celtics are again in line to go deep into the play-offs. The 24-year-old’s individual form has been a touch up and down at times, but a strong finish could still catch the eye of the judges.
LEBRON JAMES @ 50/1
Los Angeles Lakers are struggling and King James won the last of his four gongs back in 2013, but breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record means the 38-year-old may get some sentimental votes, so he could still be a lively longshot in the NBA MVP odds.
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