No. 5: Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
2021 NBA Ranking: 5
If the Finals MVP is the personal honor lacking in the argument of Curry as one of the greatest players of all time, then it has now been compensated as Stephen led the Warriors to win their fourth title in six years. Sources told ESPN that Curry was staying in shape when entering the camp and was ready to continue from where he left.
Why does his ranking have not changed
Curry's position is the same as early last season. After averaging 25.5 points from 43.7% of the field goal, Curry is by no means a subpar season - he is an early contender for the MVP - but an ankle injury did leave him unplayed in the last month of the regular season. In his absence, his teammates stepped forward and allowed the Warriors to move forward to secure the No. 3 seed in the West. Perhaps this is why he is in the same position in our rankings besides the rise of the MVP competitors below.
A big question in 2022-23
Can Stephen and the Warriors do it again? Despite their strong All-Star core and supporting cast, their championship hopes are mainly on Curry's shoulders. As mentioned above, Curry is said to be ready to give everything without reservation at the start of the season. While there are growing discussions about Curry’s age (he will turn 35 before the end of the regular season) and how big his remaining championship window is, his performance suggests that he may continue to play at this level for the foreseeable future.
How to enable him to finish this season with first place
According to Curry's performance in the 2021-22 season, there is no obvious reason to believe that he cannot end this season as the top player in the league. Unless there is a long absence, Curry should be able to complete a strong and complete season, allowing him to win another title and possibly more personal honors.
- Kendra Andrews
: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers |C
2021 NBA ranking: 7
After losing to Jokic twice in the MVP voting, Embiid has once again become the strongest contender for the MVP award and is considered one of the best teams in the league.
Why he went up three positions
Embiid dominated last season, averaging 30.6 points per game, leading the league in scoring for the first time in his career - the first time since 1999-2000 Shaquille O'Neal led the league in scoring for the first time since Moses Malone in 1981-82.
Embide also won the scoring champion with averaging 33.8 points per game, beating the 34.2 points set in 2016 and 2021. He has become a fully physical player offensively, able to score in all areas with ease, and is one of the most deterrent guardians in the league.
A big question for 2022-23
At this stage of his career, the only question left for Embiid is: Can he spend the playoffs healthy?
At this point of his career, he has experienced injuries after injuries, including a facial fracture and a sprain of the thumb during the Philadelphia playoffs. When Embiid is available, there may not be another more dominant player in the NBA today. After playing a career-high 68 games last season, Embiid focused on both the healthy regular season and the playoffs this time. If he does this, the sky is the limit.
Why can he finish the season with first place
After years of continuous compensation for the shortcomings of the flawed lineup around him, this season is the first time Embiid has been surrounded by a team aimed at optimizing his abilities.This will only increase Embiid's chances of winning an unattainable MVP award and lead Philadelphia into the playoff finals circle missing from his resume.
If these things happen, he can jump to the top of this list.
-- Tim Bontenpus
Dallas Mavericks
2021 NBA ranking: 4
After going out for the European Championship offseason for the Slovenian national team, Doncic should report to the training camp in the first time in a few years in the form of a competition. Doncic is one of the most dominant forces in the NBA when body condition is not a problem.
Why he rose to a position
At the age of 23, Doncic has undoubtedly proved that he is a top superstar, a candidate for the NBA's all-time best-squad, and an MVP candidate. He cemented that position last season when he was the only All-Star in Dallas to reach the Western Conference Finals.
Despite a calf strain that left him missing the first three games in the first round, Doncic led Dallas with 10 scores, rebounds and assists in the playoffs - the most in a single season's playoffs, according to Elias Sports Institution.
He is arguably the best offensive weapon in the NBA - a threat to win the scoring and assists king, who challenges the defense with a mix of strength, skills and savvy passes. He is also a ruthless rival, as he was memorable in Game 7 against the top seed Suns, when he single-handedly tied the Phoenix total in the first half.
A big question in 2022-23
How far can Doncic lead a team without another All-Star? Dallas' roster took a big blow when Jalen Brunson, the second best player of the Mavericks last season, went to New York as a free agent. Mavericks management believes that Bronson's scoring gap can be filled by Tim Hardaway Jr. . He recovered from injury and Christian Wood came here through the trade.
But in a league full of star duo, Doncic is carrying a heavy burden like anyone else. Doncic has been ahead of the league in usage over the past two seasons, and this trend is likely to continue until the 2022-23 season.
How to enable him to finish this season with first place
The past three seasons, Doncic ranked fourth, sixth and fifth in the MVP voting respectively. It could be a season when Doncic climbed to the top of the vote, especially if he had a strong start, with Dallas finally ranking in the top four in the competitive West.
-- Tim McMahon
No. 2: Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets |C
2021 NBA ranking: 6
Although Jokic averaged 31.0 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, Nuggets could not compete with the Golden State Warriors in the first round. But Jamal Murray and Michael Porter are expected to return together this season, and Denver hopes to return to the competition under its two-time defending MVP.
Why did he rise to four positions
How did Jokic win the MVP season again? He is better. Jokic became the 13th player in NBA history to win MVP awards in a row, and did this through historic competition. He is the first player to average 25 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in a midfielder in one season, and the first player to lead the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and on-field goals.
Jokic defeated Embiid and became the highest PER in a season in NBA history (32.8). Jokic collected 19 triple-doubles - the most since Wilt Chamberlain was center-and despite missing out on Murray and Porter Jr., led Denver to win one more game than last season.
A big question for 2022-23
Nuggets are complete again, but can Jokic and the new look lineup regain the form that helped Denver enter the Western Conference Finals in 2020? Murray missed all games last season due to torn ACL, while Porter Jr. has been absent since early November due to back surgery.
Nuggets welcomed the two back, but also experienced some changes in the offseason, adding Kentavios Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, and trading Mont Morris to Washington Wizards to free up playing time for emerging sophomore point guard Bones Hyland.
How can he get him to finish the season in first place
If he can spend a historic season without Murray and Porter Jr., what can he do more when they return to the court? Jokic was double-teamed 191 times in the backcourt last season, the most in the league. With full contributors around him, Jokic won't face the same type of defensive attention.
Although his score may drop, assists and other statistics may increase this season. If he can win three consecutive titles to become the MVP, Jokic will accomplish what only Larry Bird , Chamberlain and Bill Russell - which sounds like the secret to becoming the No. 1 player in the league.
-- Ohm Janmisuk
No. 1: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks
2021 NBA ranking: 2
As Antetokounmpo enters the 28-year-old season, his honor list has made him one of the most honored winners in league history. So the question remains how he will add to that list. Can he win the third NBA MVP? Bucks will be one of the biggest hits to win another NBA championship , but can Antetokounmpo get another Finals MVP? While expectations are high every season, Antetokounmpo usually finds ways to surpass them.
Why he rose to a position
From the sheer stability and reliable dominance of Antetokounmpo every night, his view of his status as world best player has been strengthened over the past year. It can be said that no player in the league can compare to his influence on both ends of the court.
In order to continue to win his first Finals MVP, Antetokounmpo challenged the scoring champion, averaging 29.9 points per game (third in the NBA), snatched 11.6 rebounds, sent 5.8 assists, averaging 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Although Milwaukee did not have the second best player in the second round of playoff series against Boston, the Bucks expanded the series to seven games under Antetokounmpo, who averaged 31.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the playoffs.
A big question in 2022-23
What new skills will Antetokounmpo bring? After each offseason, Antetokounmpo will have a new skill in his arsenal. Over the years, he has perfected his vision as a passer, improved the outside jump shot that has kept the defense guessing, becoming more unstoppable when attacking paint and the basket. Is it possible that Antetokounmpo will get better?
-- Jamal Collier
