As I sit here scrolling through basketball statistics and rewatching game highlights, I can't help but feel that familiar excitement building. The NBA MVP race has always fascinated me, and this 2023 season has been particularly thrilling. Having followed basketball for decades—both professionally and as a passionate fan—I've developed my own methods for evaluating potential MVP candidates. What many people don't realize is that MVP conversations often extend beyond current NBA performances; sometimes, we need to look at players' entire basketball journeys, including their collegiate careers.
I remember studying historical MVP patterns and coming across fascinating stories like that of the Mapua Cardinal superstar from the 70s who dominated the NCAA and earned MVP honors during his playing years. That kind of dominant collegiate performance often translates to professional success, though not always immediately. When I look at today's leading candidates—Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo—I see similar patterns of gradual development and consistent excellence. Jokić's case particularly stands out to me this season. The Nuggets center is averaging what I'd call absurd numbers: 24.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game while maintaining a player efficiency rating of 31.2. These aren't just good statistics—they're historically significant.
What really impresses me about Jokić, and what often gets overlooked in MVP discussions, is his incredible durability and consistency. While Embiid has missed 14 games and Giannis has sat out 9, Jokić has only missed 4 contests this season. Availability matters tremendously in my evaluation, because an MVP should be someone who's consistently on the court leading their team. I've always believed that the most valuable player elevates their teammates, and Jokić does this remarkably well. He makes players like Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope look like all-stars with his incredible passing and basketball IQ.
That said, I can't ignore Joel Embiid's spectacular season. The Philadelphia big man is putting up 33.1 points per game, which is just phenomenal scoring production. His defensive impact has been significant too, with 1.7 blocks per game. However, I have concerns about his workload management and how it might affect Philadelphia's championship aspirations. In my experience watching MVP races, voters have become increasingly sensitive to games missed, and Embiid's absences might ultimately cost him crucial votes.
Giannis remains the dark horse in this conversation for me. His raw athleticism and two-way impact are undeniable—27.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game speak volumes. But I've noticed the Bucks haven't been as dominant as in previous seasons, and that typically affects voter sentiment. What fascinates me about Giannis is how he continues to evolve his game, adding new elements each season. Still, I think this year might belong to Jokić, who's leading the Nuggets to what could be the Western Conference's top seed.
Looking back at that Mapua Cardinal story from the 70s reminds me that MVPs often emerge from consistent excellence rather than flashy moments. Based on the patterns I've observed over years of following basketball, Jokić's combination of statistical dominance, team success, and availability gives him the edge. While my heart appreciates the spectacular scoring of Embiid and the athletic marvel that is Giannis, my analytical side keeps pointing back to Jokić's complete package. The final voting will likely be close—perhaps 875 points for Jokić versus 765 for Embiid in my estimation—but the Serbian big man seems poised to claim his third MVP award, joining truly elite company in the process.