NBA MVP Rankings - 21 Jan

This year's first MVP rankings have a lot of the usual guys, but also a few younger rising stars, and a surprise at the top. Players are rated based on how they compare to other players in each statistical category, and also on how well their team is playing overall, with points deducted for missing games. Here are my full current MVP rankings:

1. Nikola Jokic - C -  DEN

25.1 PTS (#14), 11.4 REB (#6), 10.0 AST (#2), 1.9 STL (#5)

.573 FG% (#14), .354 3P%, .852 FT%

Not only is Jokic averaging a triple-double, which is unheard of for a center, he is leading the league with 5 triple-doubles already this season, and has the most total assists of any player. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and free throw percentage, which is tough to do when you are already a fringe superstar in the league. The Nuggets are currently outside the playoffs in the West, but they are surging in the right direction, and Jokic is the reason why.

2. LeBron James - PG - LAL

23.7 PTS (#18), 7.9 REB, 7.5 AST (#7)

.479 FG%, .375 3P%, .719 FT%

LeBron's numbers are slightly down from last season, but he is 36 years old and has his team in first place coming off the shortest offseason in league history. This is the 17th straight season in which he is a contender for MVP, which is easily the most in history, but he probably won't win without a truly historic season, much like Michael Jordan 25 years ago.

3. Kevin Durant - PF - BKN

31.3 PTS (#2), 7.5 REB, 6.0 AST (#20), 1.3 BLK (#19)

.534 FG% (#20), .466 3P% (#19), .867 FT%

It is so good to see Durant back fully healthy, and he didn't just pick up where he left off, he is playing better than he has in years. Brooklyn is still working out the kinks with all the changes to their roster, but Durant is keeping them afloat, and it looks like he will have some help with Harden and Irving joining him on the court this week.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

27.2 PTS (#6), 10.2 REB (#13), 5.3 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.1 BLK

.531 FG%, .308 3P%, .586 FT%

It's extremely difficult to repeat as MVP, but nearly impossible to win three in a row, as only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird have ever done it. Giannis is in the running again this year, but it's unlikely unless he brings his numbers up to where they were last year.

5. Joel Embiid - C - PHI

26.4 PTS (#9), 11.3 REB (#7), 2.8 AST, 1.4 STL, 1.4 BLK (#17)

.545 FG% (#17), .368 3P%, .839 FT%

Embiid has become a dominant force for the 76ers, and a big part of his leap this year has been better shooting across the board. He is finally playing in nearly every game, and it's making Philly a real threat to win the East for the first time in 20 years.

6. Anthony Davis - PF - LAL

21.3 PTS, 9.0 REB (#18), 3.4 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.9 BLK (#4)

.532 FG%, .361 3P%, .750 FT%

7. Paul George - SF - LAC

24.4 PTS (#16), 6.2 REB, 5.6 AST, 1.2 STL

.514 FG%, .505 3P% (#5), .910 FT% (#12)

8. Kawhi Leonard - SF - LAC

24.9 PTS (#15), 4.9 REB, 5.8 AST, 2.1 STL (#2)

.500 FG%, .448 3P%, .882 FT% (#12)

9. Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

27.0 PTS (#10), 10.4 REB (#14), 9.9 AST (#3), 1.0 STL

.453 FG%, .278 3P%, .750 FT%

10. Khris Middleton - SF - MIL

22.1 PTS, 6.3 REB, 5.6 AST, 1.1 STL

.527 FG%, .439 3P%, .932 FT% (#8)

Honorable Mention - Nikola Vucevic - C - ORL, James Harden - SG - BKN, Stephen Curry - PG - GSW, Domantas Sabonis - PF - IND, Bradley Beal - SG - WAS, Damian Lillard - PG - POR