Sixers, Joel Embiid, and the MVP race: Basically eliminated candidates
- 10. Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Boston has the best defense in the NBA and has been the best team in the East since January. They’re stifling every manner of team right now — including a 48-point victory over Philadelphia before the All-Star break. Jayson Tatum obviously deserves his share of credit (26.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists), but there’s no real path to him winning MVP this season.
- 9. Devin Booker, Suns
It has been another season of significant growth for Devin Booker, who is now captaining the NBA’s best team in the absence of Chris Paul. The Suns have been clicking on all cylinders all season, and while Paul’s absence is deeply felt, there’s no imminent threat to Phoenix’s standing atop the NBA standings.
- 8. Chris Paul, Suns
Chris Paul might not return until the playoffs, which removes him from the top five. That said, the Suns have a virtually insurmountable lead in the Western Conference because of the work Paul did over the first two-thirds of the season. He won’t win MVP while playing only 58 total games, but he could still sneak onto a few ballots.
- 7. Stephen Curry, Warriors
For a period early in the season, Stephen Curry was the MVP frontrunner. Since then, unfortunately, the future Hall of Fame guard has experienced the longest cold slump of his career. He’s shooting only 37.9 percent from 3-point range (the lowest mark of his career) and Golden State has subsequently lost its stronghold on second place without Draymond Green in the lineup. Even Curry in a slump is worthy of MVP consideration, but he has probably played himself out of the race.