The season is still young but it is never too early to check in on the MVP race. In the ranking of the 2020-21 Kia MVP candidates, Lakers star LeBron James is ranked No. 1.
1. LeBron James
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2020-21 season stats: 25.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 7.5 APG
At 36 years and his 18th year in the league, King James does not show any signs of slowing down, as he’s now notched at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in all 23 games to start the season. Recently, he leaped past Wilt Chamberlain for third place all-time in career field goals made (12,691). In a postgame interview, James said, “Anytime I’m in the category of some of the greats that have ever played this game is just very humbling.” “To hear me linked with the great Wilt Chamberlain is an unbelievable feat,” he added.
2. Joel Embiid
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 season stats: 29.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.2 SPG
On Thursday, Embiid scored 31 points in the first half, including 25 of his team’s 29 points in the second quarter on 8-of-11 shooting, on the way to a 37-point night. He has managed 34 or more points in six of his last seven outings. The 7-footer is averaging 28.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 31.8 minutes. He is shooting 58.8 percent from the field, 42.3 percent from deep, and 84.3 percent on 11.2 free throws per game.
3. Nikola Jokic
Team: Denver Nuggets
2020-21 season stats: 26.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 8.6 APG, 1.7 SPG
The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, Jokic has produced a double-double in all 21 games, which is the longest streak to start a season since Bill Walton put on a double-double clinic for 34 straight games to begin the 1976-77 season for Portland. Jokic has appeared in all 20 of Denver’s games, and has never been prone to injury. The Serb is averaging 26.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists on 57.4 percent shooting.
4. Kevin Durant
Team: Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 season stats: 30.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.2 APG
It’s no surprise that Durant came out No. 1 in early returns from the NBA All-Star voting. He is averaging 30.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 53.3 percent shooting. The Nets have a record of 4-1 whenever Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden play in the same game, and you can bet the trio’s chemistry will continue to be a force to reckon with for opponents once the postseason hits.
5. Kawhi Leonard
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2020-21 season stats: 26.2 PPH, 5.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.9 SPG
On Tuesday after the Nets edged the Clippers, Durant called Leonard a “savant” and “Hall of Fame player”. Leonard is extremely strong and exceedingly skilled. He can punish individual matchups in the post, kill slower defenders on the perimeter, or create efficiently for teammates. He is averaging 26.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from deep.
