The NBA season is full of surprises, and the 2023-24 season is no different. The Western Conference playoff standings are extremely close, with positions 1-10 changing daily, making the playoff picture unpredictable. As usual, the race for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is heating up. Some people are making bold predictions, while others are staying calm.
Recently, a panel of writers discussed the key things to watch for in the remaining games of the season. In this discussion, the MVP race was highlighted, with some declaring Nikola Jokić as the clear frontrunner. However, while Jokić is undoubtedly a top contender, the race is far from over. Historically, the MVP award is not solely about who is the best player overall. If it were, players like LeBron James and Michael Jordan would have won more MVP awards. Each season’s MVP is determined by various factors.
The MVP race for the 2023-24 season seems to be primarily between two players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Nikola Jokić. Gilgeous-Alexander has been an outstanding scorer with exceptional defensive skills, helping his team rise in the standings. On the other hand, Jokić is a phenomenal player and a strong contender for his third MVP award. However, with 15 games left to play, it’s too early to declare a winner.
