By The Countdown, PSO YouTube Show
Jan 18, 2023

Pro Sports Outlook’s fourth episode of “The Countdown” features a ranking of the top 5 NBA MVP candidates in 2022-23. ‘The Countdown’ aims to be the #1 sports rankings show in the world where debates get settled and fans are given the power to voice their own opinions.



The NBA MVP award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in professional basketball with many candidates this year. Every season, a select group of players are considered to be among the top candidates for the award. These players are typically the best and most valuable players on their respective teams and are often the driving force behind their team’s success. To be considered a top MVP candidate, a player typically needs to be averaging impressive statistics such as a lot of points, rebounds, and assists per game. They also need to be leading their team to a strong record in the Association.

Another important factor that is taken into account when evaluating MVP candidates is the player’s leadership and ability to make their teammates better. A player who can elevate the play of their teammates and lead them to victory is often seen as more valuable than one who simply puts up great individual numbers. There are plenty of players to consider for this year’s award honorable mention includes: Kevin Durant (Nets), F LeBron James (Lakers), G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), G Donovan Mitchell (Cavs), and G Steph Curry (Warriors)

Here are the top 5 NBA MVP Candidates in 2023. Do you agree? Create your own rankings below! 



PSO Rankings

1
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (BUCKS)

GIANNIS FACTS:

– Leading a Middleton-less Bucks team to a top-2 seed

– Has a career-high 31.0 PPG on a career-high 10.9 FGM/GP

– Only Domantas Sabonis (12.6) has more RPG (11.9)

 

The Greek Freak’s dominance on both ends of the floor continues to reach new heights with a career-high 31.0 fueling another sensational season. He’s literally unstoppable and the toughest player to guard on a nightly basis as he’s led a depleted Bucks squad to the top of the East.



2
LUKA DONCIC (MAVERICKS)

LUKA DONCIC FACTS:

– Leads the NBA in scoring (33.8 PPG)

– Has a career-high 49.8 FG% in a career-high 37.4 MPG

– Leading the NBA in USG% (38.2%) for 3rd straight year

 

Even non-NBA fans can watch Luka Doncic and see this guy is the best player on the court the way he’s orchestrating the offense and making crazy circus shots look routine. His usage rate continues to hit sky-high rates as another career season from Luka has him right in the midst of the MVP conversation.

https://twitter.com/PSO_Sports/status/1615633049663709185



3
NIKOLA JOKIC (NUGGETS)

NIKOLA JOKIC FACTS:

– Nearly avg a triple-double (24.7 PPG/10.9 RPG/9.8 APG)

– Recording a career-high 62.0 FG% & 9.8 APG

– Only Tyrese Haliburton (10.2) has more APG (9.8) in 2022-23

 

Proven to be the best passing big man the game of basketball has ever seen, The Joker is defying history once again as he’s averaging nearly a triple-double this season. Denver is a legitimate title contender because of the reigning 2x MVP’s unselfishness and overall offensive prowess.



4
JOEL EMBIID (76ERS)

JOEL EMBIID FACTS:

– Joel’s career-high 33.4 PPG is 2nd only to Luka Doncic’s 33.8

– Also averaging a career-high 4.3 APG & 53.6 FG%

– Had a career-high 59 points vs. the Utah Jazz on 11/13/2022

 

If it wasn’t for Nikola Jokic, nobody would question Joel Embiid being the best big man in the game. When defense gets factored into the equation, Embiid has a good argument as his all-around two-way game is once again sparking another successful Sixers season.



5
JAYSON TATUM (CELTICS)

JAYSON TATUM FACTS:

– Putting up a career-high 31.1 PPG & 8.3 RPG in 2022-23

– Leading the Boston Celtics to the best record in the NBA

– Made the All-Star team each of the last 3 seasons

 

The Boston Celtics have been the best team in the NBA during the first half of the season and nobody deserves more credit for that than Jayson Tatum. The only American-born player on this list is firing on all cylinders with a career season at age 24, showing he’ll be a problem for years to come.



My Rankings

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