The NBA’s MVP award is one of the most prestigious honors in the sport, and yet the conversation surrounding it is often clouded with controversy. Every year, media members, players, and fans debate who is the most deserving of the honor, and what criteria should be taken into account when making the decision. This year, the discourse has been particularly heated, with analysts Kendrick Perkins and J.J. Redick engaging in a public back-and-forth over whether Nikola Jokic is stat-padding his way to a third consecutive MVP.
The MVP debate has become more complex over the years, as advanced statistical metrics have been introduced to the conversation. Many have argued that the MVP should be the player with the highest Player Efficiency Rating (PER), as the last six MVPs have also led the league in this category. However, this approach has been met with criticism, as it does not take into account other factors such as team success and clutch performance.
The MVP conversation is further complicated by the fact that there is no true consensus on what criteria should be taken into account when making the decision. Some voters prioritize individual dominance and brilliance, while others lean toward team performance and analytics. Fans often gravitate towards the players they know and like, which can lead to biased votes. Similarly, some media members are concerned with appearing to zig while others zag, creating a hive-mind mentality that discounts alternative approaches.
While the MVP conversation can be divisive and heated, it is important to remember that it is ultimately an opinion-based award. As such, it is important for voters to be consistent in their approach, and to use the same criteria each time. It is also important for voters to be informed and do their research, as the MVP is an honor that all players strive to achieve. With that in mind, it is safe to say that Nikola Jokic is the frontrunner for the MVP award this season, as he is averaging a triple-double on a first-place team while also having the highest true shooting percentage of anyone ever to score 20 points per game.
