1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
The Next Five: Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James.
Thing is Nuggets efficiency plummets whenever Jokic is off the floor while Thunder stays elite with or without Shai on the floor. Shai is insane that he’s putting up eye-popping numbers on an extremely deep team. And Jokic is insane that Nuggets is a title favorite when he’s on the floor and a bottom 5 when he’s not. And it’s not like Nuggets are far below Thinder in the standings. They are only 1 win apart so it’s not logically that controversial to pick Jokic over Shai.