MVP Race One of Best in Recent Memory

 The race for this season's Kia MVP is so wild, 

they have created the Kia MVP Ladder to give us weekly in-depth look at the candidates, along with a daily MVP Tracker, which details the game-by-game performance of the leading contenders.

 

This chase is going down to the wire.

While Denver Nuggets big man (and last year's MVP) Nikola Jokic is currently leading the race, the mix of possible winners has been ever-changing in a season full of spectacular performances, gaudy numbers, and thrilling battles. 

Former back-to-back MVP winner (2019 & 2020) and star of reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo sits in 2nd. After his latest game ended in an OT thriller against the Kevin Durant-led Nets, his next showdown is later today against another MVP candidate in the Mavs' Luka Doncic. 

Currently in 3rd place is the man that the general public seemed to agree was the front-runner just a week ago in Joel Embiid. The Philadelphia big man has seen his responsibilities rise, even after the 76ers acquired superstar James Harden at the trade deadline. 

Embiid's last 6 game stats, according to StatMuse: 

After the top three, it only gets more difficult. 

 

Rounding out the constantly rising and falling potential candidates, we have Devin Booker from the league-leading Phoenix Suns, whose averaging nearly 27 a game on a career-high percentage from deep. 

We have the previously mentioned Luka Doncic, who has elevated his team after trading their second best (yet oft-injured) player at the deadline. 

Jason Tatum of the Boston Celtics has joined the fray, and - despite the amount of missed games lately - one would be remiss to ignore the season that Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies has had. 

Each of these players genuinely wants to win, with Joel Embiid being the only one of the top three who has yet to capture the illustrious accomplishment. Guys like Devin Booker and Tatum have been ascending, while a player like Morant was a lock to be at least a top-3 consideration before suffering the injury that's kept him sidelined the past couple weeks. 

With only 4-5 games left in the season for most teams, 

it's clear voters will need to see every minute of these players in action before casting their deciding votes.

All of this sets up a fantastic finish to the regular season, with plenty to play for - on both team and individual levels.

 

This should be fun.