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Luka Doncic is having an otherworldly season

TBILISI, December 28, 2023 - Do you remember 1997, 1999, 2006-07 or even Lebron’s first Decision season NBA MVP race? Well, in case you do, those were the seasons when the word Controversial ruled. Karl Malone was named league’s Most Valuable Player, despite Michael Jordan still being ageless. But, for some reason America decided to give the award to “someone other than Jordan”. Two years later Malone doubled his personal accolades by getting a second MVP, while the real one, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan was forgotten for a reason. Timmy won the finals’ MVP and Spurs beat Knicks 4:1 in the finals of 1999.
THE BLACKLIST And, that blacklist just goes on and on… Steve Nash was not better than Shaq, Duncan robbed Jason Kidd, Derrick Rose took the hardware from Lebron in his first Heat season and Nash has not been at Kobe’s level in 2006.
Well, it might get complicated this year too. Who are your MVP favourites?
My list consists of these four monster-creators.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
X Man from Milwaukee is having his usual “let me have some fun” season and rightly so, voters tend to forget him often. We have seen it all in the past: those 30 plus points, 11 rebounds and 5-something assists does not amaze us in a way they should. But Giannis, this year’s Thor, marches on. He has just had his 226th career 30-point game, that ranks second over the last 10 years behind James Harden (267). The Greek Freak takes no prisoners.
3. Nicola Jokic
Two time MVP surrendered his reigns in the MVP race to Joel Embiid last season only to win his first Championship with Nuggets and be crowned as Finals MVP. Nicola is not having career high season. His field goal accuracy is at 54.1 %, his lowest in the past four years. His points, boards and dimes PER game also fail in comparison to his past heroics. But Jokic is leading the league in double-doubles with 24. And, Jokic will be unstoppable in Play-Offs. Mark that.
2. Joel Embiid
He cried enough to overshadow Jokic that past season. Joel Embiid is the reigning MVP. And, boy, he has not lost a beat. Phila’s big man is riding a streak of 12 consecutive games with 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, which is the most since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972. Joel, the new Thanos of NBA, does not fear those pesky avengers and will try to repeat as MVP. A popular choice among journalists, Embiid is healthy and motivated enough to do so.
1.Luka Doncic
Luka has turned on his beast mode. Dallas is a bunch of no names (Kyrie Irving is injured) and Luka’s magic is a sure thing. Doncic was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time this season. And, over his last 10 games Luka is averaging 36.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 11.2 assists. How long will it last? Only God and Luka know. But, for now, the best player in the league represents Dallas and that Texas Chainsaw Massacre has just began.
Luka, the KING.
THE BLACKLIST And, that blacklist just goes on and on… Steve Nash was not better than Shaq, Duncan robbed Jason Kidd, Derrick Rose took the hardware from Lebron in his first Heat season and Nash has not been at Kobe’s level in 2006.
Well, it might get complicated this year too. Who are your MVP favourites?
My list consists of these four monster-creators.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
X Man from Milwaukee is having his usual “let me have some fun” season and rightly so, voters tend to forget him often. We have seen it all in the past: those 30 plus points, 11 rebounds and 5-something assists does not amaze us in a way they should. But Giannis, this year’s Thor, marches on. He has just had his 226th career 30-point game, that ranks second over the last 10 years behind James Harden (267). The Greek Freak takes no prisoners.
3. Nicola Jokic
Two time MVP surrendered his reigns in the MVP race to Joel Embiid last season only to win his first Championship with Nuggets and be crowned as Finals MVP. Nicola is not having career high season. His field goal accuracy is at 54.1 %, his lowest in the past four years. His points, boards and dimes PER game also fail in comparison to his past heroics. But Jokic is leading the league in double-doubles with 24. And, Jokic will be unstoppable in Play-Offs. Mark that.
2. Joel Embiid
He cried enough to overshadow Jokic that past season. Joel Embiid is the reigning MVP. And, boy, he has not lost a beat. Phila’s big man is riding a streak of 12 consecutive games with 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, which is the most since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972. Joel, the new Thanos of NBA, does not fear those pesky avengers and will try to repeat as MVP. A popular choice among journalists, Embiid is healthy and motivated enough to do so.
1.Luka Doncic
Luka has turned on his beast mode. Dallas is a bunch of no names (Kyrie Irving is injured) and Luka’s magic is a sure thing. Doncic was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time this season. And, over his last 10 games Luka is averaging 36.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 11.2 assists. How long will it last? Only God and Luka know. But, for now, the best player in the league represents Dallas and that Texas Chainsaw Massacre has just began.
Luka, the KING.
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