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- Nikola Jokic – Nuggets
Previous Ranking: #5
26.9 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 8.6 APG, 56.5% FG, 41.4% 3P
The Nuggets have won 6 of their last 7 games after a slow start to the year and Nikola Jokic is leading the way. He’s put up 28.6 PPG, 12.0 RPG & 8.4 APG over his last 5 games and with the injury to Joel Embiid, Jokic catapults all the way to the top spot. - Lebron James – Lakers
Previous Ranking: #1
25.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 8.0 APG, 51% FG, 36.5% 3P
The Lakers have played better coming out of the All-Star break having won 3 straight games. Lebron has put up his usual numbers on Offense, but his play on the defensive end has him in play for the DPOY and ranked 2nd in the MVP race. With AD out for the foreseeable future, Lebron has to keep the ship steady as they head into the playoffs looking to repeat as Champions. - Joel Embiid – 76ers
Previous Ranking: #2
29.9 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 52.5% FG, 42.2% 3P
There isn’t much to say about Embiid here having been out for some time now due to a Knee injury. He led the race heading into the All-Star break but he was already on thin ice having missed 6 games. Now, he is out at least another 2 weeks and will continue to fall in the rankings. - James Harden – Nets
Previous Ranking: #8
25.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, 8.2 RPG, 47.6% FG, 37.1% 3P
James Harden has been absolutely outstanding for Brooklyn since coming over in a trade from Houston. The Nets have won 13 of their last 14 games and are in first place in the Eastern Conference, all while playing without Kevin Durant who has been hampered by some injuries. It will be unlikely that Harden actually wins the award with his terrible exit from Houston, otherwise he would likely be in the Top 2-3 of these rankings. - Giannis Antetokounmpo – Bucks
Previous Ranking: #6
29.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 6.2 APG, 56.3% FG, 1.3 BPG
The Bucks have been playing great lately and Giannis has been leading the way with his magnificent play. They’ve won 9 out of their last 10 games and have improved to 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. There will likely be voter fatigue when it comes to his chances of actually winning the MVP for a 3rd year in a row, but he sure is making one hell of a case to do that. - Stephen Curry – Warriors
Previous Ranking: #4
29.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 6.2 APG, 47.5% FG, 40.8% 3P
Steph is back to his old self this year, but it’s a shame that the Warriors are only playing .500 Basketball this year. It doesn’t help that Klay Thompson is hurt and there is inconsistent play from the role players this year not named Draymond Green. Still, he’s shown us this year that he is very capable of putting up MVP-like numbers when healthy and is able to lead his team to at least the Playoffs. - Jimmy Butler – Heat
Previous Ranking: UR
21.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.6 APG, 47.8% FG, 2.1 STL
Jimmy Butler has been on a mission since he has returned from COVID-19. The Heat have won 5 of their last 6 games and have snuck right up to 4th place in the Eastern Conference. If Butler can remain as efficient as he has been and Miami continues to play well, he can climb these rankings even more. - Damian Lillard – Blazers
Previous Ranking: #3
30.5 PPG, 8.0 APG, 4.5 RPG, 45.1% FG, 38.8% 3P
Lillard has been so great this year with all the injuries the Blazers have gone through this year. It’s just unfortunate that he isn’t higher on this list with so many guys currently playing better than him, but on the pace he is currently on he will definitely find himself climbing back up these rankings. - Kawhi Leonard – Clippers
Previous Ranking: #7
26.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.9 APG, 51.2% FG, 39.4% 3P
The Clippers have been bad lately dropping 5 of their last 7 and it doesn’t look like things will improve until changes are made at the deadline. Meanwhile, Kawhi has steadily put up his usual numbers on Offense this year and is the main reason the Clippers have not fallen apart yet. Kawhi and the Clippers will have to figure out their struggles in order to get back up in the rankings again. - Luka Doncic – Mavericks
Previous Ranking: #9
28.5 PPG, 9.3 APG, 8.4 RPG, 47.7% FG, 35.7% 3P
Luka missed a couple of games recently due to injury and with the Mavericks struggling, he finds himself teetering on the edge of the Top 10. Even though he is putting up great numbers, the Mavericks should be better and Doncic needs to be more consistent with taking care of the ball and being a somewhat effective defender in order for not only the Mavericks to move up in the standings, but for Luka to move up in the MVP race.