2024 MVP: Luka Doncic Snubbed From Raging Debate by NBA Legend, Despite Record-Breaking Feat

We have entered the last week of the NBA’s regular season and soon the much-awaited MVP award will be announced. Analysts and former NBA veterans have been weighing in for the last few days, making their choice for the MVP. The top names have been Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. However, a former Golden State Warriors veteran replaced Luka Doncic with Anthony Edwards for one main reason. 

The MVP is decided on a few notable metrics. One is obviously the player’s performance and contribution to the team. The other one is where their respective teams stand in the table. Former Warriors forward Stephen Jackson shared in his podcast with Matt Barnes, “I think Minnesota and Denver would be one of the two teams that end up number one. So if Denver wins it Jokic definitely deserves it, but if Minnesota wins I think Ant-Man deserves the MVP.” 

He also added, “If something crazy happens where OKC ends up in the number one spot, I think he deserves it… So, whoever wins up in the number one spot, they get the MVP.” 

The Dallas Mavericks are the 5th seed currently, and they don’t stand a chance to make it to the top three. So in that case, Doncic is out of Jackson’s MVP conversation, although he averages the most points per game with 33.9. He is also second in assists with 9.8 per game. Despite such a historic season, tight competition in the West might ruin Doncic’s chances for an MVP. 

Does Anthony Edwards’s 50-point performance today make Stephen Jackson’s MVP case stronger? 

While what the Slovenian guard is doing is highly appreciable, Anthony Edwards has also been a monster on the court throughout this season. Speaking of that, the Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard dropped a 51-point performance today against the Washington Wizards, making Jackson’s narrative more believable. This also has pushed the Wolves to the first seed, so Jackson is making more sense now. However, the MVP ladder is revealing something totally different. 

Read more: Ex-Warrior Tarnishes Luka Doncic MVP Talks With Bizarre Michael Jordan Claim: “Would’ve Had at Least 12”

While Jokic, Doncic, and Gilgeous-Alexander are first, second, and third respectively, Edwards is at the 9th rank in the MVP ladder. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Domantas Sabonis, Devin Booker, and Anthony Davis, are all above Edwards. The above ranks are from the NBA’s latest MVP ladder which was revealed on April 5. What’s to note is that Edwards was not even on the top 10 in the MVP list that was released a week before. Can he make it all the way to the top 3 with just a week to go? 

Read more: Patrick Mahomes Declares Luka Doncic “MVP” After Dallas Mavericks Star’s Latest Milestone