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Kevin C. Cox / Associated Press
The NBA hasn’t seen a player earn three consecutive MVPs since Larry Bird in 1986. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a loser in the MVP race despite lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2020.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps surveyed a group of eight NBA scouts and executives. Four selected Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic to win the MVP, while Antetokounmpo only got a lone vote. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic got two votes, and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard completed the field with one vote.
Voter fatigue is a real thing; otherwise, LeBron James and Michael Jordan would likely have more than nine MVPs ahead of them.
Antetokounmpo, who is fading a bit from the MVP conversation, might not be a bad thing for the Bucks either, because it could indicate he’s getting more support from Khris Middleton and newcomer Jrue Holiday.
Calling the Mavericks a one-man show wouldn’t accurately reflect the situation in Dallas, but the team appears to be focused on Doncic more than how Milwaukee will handle Giannis.
“It’s hard to see Giannis winning three in a row, “a Western Conference scout told Bontemps.”I think there are more opportunities for Luka to do an MVP show and do more individually. “
Doncic had the numbers to be MVP in 2020, averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. However, the Mavericks’ record before the NBA restart (40-27) made it difficult for him to break through.
If Dallas improves, Doncic will jump to the top of the field.
Jokic finished ninth in the voting, so you would need to outshine multiple players to be recognized. The 25-year-old will also have to deal with recent history.
Centers once dominated the league, something reflected in the MVP winners. Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone finished in the top 18 times combined from 1956 to 1983. Dave Cowens, Bill Walton and Willis Reed were among the other great men who were honored.
Then the NBA’s strategy changed with the success of Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson and the implementation of the triple. Shaquille O’Neal is the last center to win the MVP, and that was it in 2000.
Sooner or later, the position will be represented on the MVP podium as the centers adjust to current trends. Jokic makes more sense than any other active player to end that 20-year drought.
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