The NBA MVP race is always an on-going, fluid the topic of discussion throughout the season and this one is no different. As of now, there's still no clear-cut winner of this season's award with only a few weeks remaining before the playoffs. Front-runners to receive the Maurice Podoloff Trophy include Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, there are a number of other players who will likely receive votes, including Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, DeMar DeRozan, Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum.
Following Brooklyn's comeback win over Portland on Friday, Nets star forward Kevin Durant, and former MVP recipient, was asked who he thinks is going to win the award this season.
"If I had to take a guess, I would go Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Ja Morant," Durant said. "Those are my top three, and I'd probably go Joel [Embiid]. I mean, [Nikola] Jokic, you could throw Jokic in there, but I'd probably go Joel.
"There's so many great players playing at a high level. Like I said the other day, the league is in a great place."
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Kevin Durant on injuries affecting his MVP candidacy: "It doesn't validate me as a player. I know what I can do"
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) March 19, 2022
On his MVP vote: "I would go between Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Ja Morant - those are my top 3, I would probably go Joel. Could throw Jokic in there but I'd go Joel" pic.twitter.com/1uBavo0W9p
Durant would be in the conversation as well had he not missed a large chunk of the season with a knee injury. Through 44 games, he's averaging 29.4 points per contest, his most since he won his fourth scoring title back in 2013-14.
Durant isn't far removed from scoring a season-high 53 points in a win over the Knicks. He posted a game-high 38 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the field and 14-for-15 from the free throw line in Friday's win over the Blazers.
"Nah, it's not frustrating," Durant responded when asked his feelings on not being in the MVP race.
"I've experienced what it's like to win MVP. That doesn't validate me as a player. I mean, I know what I can do. It's always great to get some hometown love and for fans to recognize you as one of the best players in the league, but nah, I wouldn't say I'm pissed off or mad. It's just part of the game. I understand the type of player that I am."
The last time we did an MVP ladder, we had Jokic at No. 1, Embiid at No. 2 and Antetokounmpo at No. 3. Not a single one of them has slowed down in the weeks since, setting the stage for a photo finish.
