MVP Candidates After the First Quarter of this NBA Season

Kevin Durant

After sitting out all of last season recovering from a gruesome Achilles injury, Kevin Durant is back to his old self. He is still playing like the unguardable player that we saw in the past. Durant is averaging 30.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game for the Brooklyn Nets. Those numbers mirror his MVP season in 2014 where he averaged 32 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Furthermore, Durant is shooting 52 percent from the field and 44 percent from three. It’s not a stretch to see him sustain this kind of efficiency. Durant is the model of efficiency and consistency. The 32-year-old has started this season scoring at least 20 points in every game he has played this year and will look to continue his MVP-level play this season.

LeBron James

LeBron James is a player that has essentially always been in the MVP conversation each season over the past 10+ seasons. It’s no different this year. Although he has won four of them, his last MVP award came in 2013 when he was with the Miami Heat. He fell short last year in the MVP race by finishing second. Coming off of a championship season, James is averaging 25.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Furthermore, he has led the Los Angeles Lakers to a very strong start this season once again.

In his 18th season, the one thing that he has improved on is his three-point shooting. James is shooting a career-high 42 percent from three on a career-high 6.6 attempts per game. However, it remains to be seen whether he can sustain the excellent three-point shooting. James is shooting 35 percent from three for his career. But the fact that he’s shooting this well from distance should put even more fear in opposing defenses.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid has entered the MVP conversation as a result of his strong start for the Philadelphia 76ers. He is averaging 27.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Furthermore, he is shooting 55 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 83 percent from the free-throw line. All of which are career highs for him. While it remains to be seen whether Embiid can sustain this efficiency, but it’s clear that he has taken a step forward as the best player on the 76ers. The only question that remains for him is whether or not he can stay healthy. That’s the most concerning thing for Embiid given his history of injuries.

Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic got off to very a fast start this season for the Denver Nuggets after his strong performance in the bubble last year. He is averaging 25.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. All of which are career-highs for him. So far this season, no team has been able to solve him defensively. His efficient scoring and his passing are a deadly combination.

Jokic is the best passing big man in today’s game. He is a point guard trapped in a center’s body. The Nuggets have hit their stride recently stringing off five straight wins. If Jokic continues to put up these numbers and lead the Nuggets to victory, that MVP award is his to take.