DWW Staff Roundtable: 2021 NBA Awards Predictions

NBA Awards: Most Valuable Player

DJ – Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors

Alright, yeah, Curry isn’t the favorite. But what he has done with his respective supporting cast has been downright absurd. Curry is averaging a career-high in points on superb efficiency. The Golden State Warriors don’t have Klay Thompson, so he’s had to emerge as one of the better players in the league again following only playing five games in 2019-20.

PL – Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

There are multiple reasons why Nikola Jokic deserves the MVP this season and the first reason is no injury concerns. Jokic hasn’t missed a game yet this season unlike Joel Embiid who has missed significant time in a shortened season. Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double with over 26 points per game and 10 rebounds per game as well as around 8.5 assists per game. The Nuggets are only three games back of first place and Nuggets fans can thank Jokic for that.

PF – Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

The MVP race has been tightly contested all season, and unfortunately, most of the top contenders have since bowed out because of injuries. That’s not to say that Jokic isn’t deserving. He’s having a fantastic season averaging 26.3 points per game, 10.9 rebounds, and 8.7 assists on the fourth-seeded Nuggets. Joel Embiid has the best case to usurp Jokic, but has missed 19 games. In a close race, that’s enough to turn the tide ever so slightly in Jokic’s favor. Other candidates including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and James Harden have all missed far too many games to be in consideration. Giannis is making a push for an MVP three-peat, but he would have to do something unbelievable for voters to give it to him again. Jokic is having a historic season and should be honored for it when it’s all said and done.

BW – Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Averaging 26.2 points 11.0 Rebound 8.7 Assists per game and having the Nuggets sitting at the 4th seed in the West at 40-21. Jokic is the best Center and passer in the league.  Even without Jamal Murray the Nugget have gone 6-1.  Jokic can do it all, and doesn’t need star power around him to get results.

BF – Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

As if Nikola Jokic’s case wasn’t strong enough, the Nuggets haven’t lost a step after the Jamal Murray injury. Do injuries to some of his MVP counterparts help? Sure, but Jokic is having one of the best offensive seasons ever and that is what his case is built around, not only games played. But it does help!

FINAL COUNT: Nikola Jokic 4, Steph Curry 1