Who Wins the NBA MVP?

The NBA MVP is the most prestigious individual award in the NBA. Given to the player who is deemed to be the most valuable to his team, the award has been given out since the 1956-57 season. So, who wins the NBA MVP?

Previous Winners

2017-2018: James Harden

James Harden had a historic season, becoming the first player ever to average at least 30 points and eight assists while shooting over 44 percent from three-point range. He led the league in scoring (30.4 ppg) and was second in assists (8.8 apg), helping the Houston Rockets to the best record in the NBA (65-17). He also finished fourth in MVP voting in 2016-2017 and third in 2015-2016.

2016-2017: Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-1962 to average a triple-double over an entire season. Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game while leading the Thunder to the playoffs. He was awarded the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the league’s MVP at the NBA Awards show.

2015-2016: Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry, shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, was the 2015-2016 NBA Most Valuable Player. This was his second MVP award, making him one of only eleven players to have won the award multiple times. In the 2015-2016 season, Curry led the Warriors to a record-breaking 73 regular season wins. He averaged 30.1 points per game and 6.7 assists per game during the season.

Current Candidates

In the past three seasons, the NBA MVP has come down to two men: Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They’ve both put up outrageous numbers and led their teams to great records. But this season, there are a few other players who have a chance to win the award.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is the current front-runner for the 2019-20 NBA MVP award. The Greek Freak is averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game while leading the Bucks to the best record in the NBA. Other top candidates for the MVP award include LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis of the Lakers, James Harden of the Houston Rockets and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.

LeBron James

LeBron Raymone James Sr. (/ləˈbrɒn/; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. James currently ranks 4th in all-time scoring, 3rd in all-time assists, and 12th in all-time steals. As of 2019–20, he has led the league in scoring 10 times and won four NBA championships.

Joel Embiid

At just 24 years old, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is already one of the best players in the NBA. The native of Cameroon has only played in three seasons, but he’s quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier players. He was named an All-Star in each of his first two seasons, and he was named to the All-NBA First Team in 2018. He’s also a two-time winner of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Other Candidates

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is one of the top players in the NBA today. He is a 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward/center who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. He was the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Pelicans.

In his seven NBA seasons, Davis has been named an All-Star six times (2013-2018), won two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016), and was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2017. He is a four-time member of the All-NBA team (first team in 2015 and 2018; second team in 2016 and 2017) and a three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team (first team in 2014 and 2015; second team in 2016). In 2017, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Entering the 2018-19 season, Davis averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game for his career.

Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard is one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA. He can score from anywhere on the court, and he’s also a very good playmaker and defender. Lillard is averaging 28.9 points, 7.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, and he’s leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the fourth-best record in the Western Conference. Lillard is also shooting a career-high 50% from three-point range.

Kawhi Leonard

small forward for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a two-time NBA champion, having won both titles with the San Antonio Spurs, as well as being named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2014. Leonard has also been a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, winning in 2015 and 2016.

Who Will Win?

The NBA MVP is one of the most prestigious awards in basketball. This year, there are a few names that stand out as potential winners. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the two frontrunners, but there are a few other players who could take home the award.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Many experts are saying that Giannis Antetokounmpo, also known as the “Greek Freak”, is the most likely candidate to win the 2019-2020 NBA MVP. The Milwaukee Bucks have the best record in the league and Giannis is leading the team in many statistical categories. In addition, he is one of the most popular players in the league and has a very marketable personality.

LeBron James

LeBron James is one of the most complete players in the NBA today. At 6’8″, 250 pounds, he has the size of a power forward, the skills of a small forward, and the court vision of a point guard. Drafted number one overall out of high school in 2003, LeBron was immediately thrust into the spotlight and expectations were sky-high. He did not disappoint, winning Rookie of the Year and quickly becoming one of the best players in the league.

LeBron’s individual statistics are impressive, but it is his impact on his team that sets him apart. He makes those around him better, elevating the play of his teammates and helping to lead his teams to success. His teams have reached the NBA Finals eight times, winning three championships. He has been named NBA MVP four times and Finals MVP three times.

There is no question that LeBron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history. In a league filled with superstars, he stands out as a true MVP.

Joel Embiid

The argument for Joel Embiid is relatively simple. He is the best player on the best team in the NBA, and he has been remarkably consistent and durable this season. When he has been on the court, he has been a dominant force, averaging 27.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range. The Sixers have outscored opponents by 11 points per 100 possessions with Embiid on the court, and they have been almost 20 points better with him on the bench. Simply put, Embiid is one of the most dominant two-way players in the league, and he has been the driving force behind the Sixers’ turnaround this season.