5. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Season stats: 19.7 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 7.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.7 bpg, 51% fg, 33% 3 pt, 84% ft
Team record: 29-13 (1st in West)
While The Joker’s stats may not jump off the screen like many of the other players on this list, it’s his impact on team success that has him in a top-five spot. He is the best player on a Denver Nuggets‘ team that is currently first in the insanely competitive Western Conference.
Not only that, but they have made it to the top spot without key players like Will Barton and Gary Harris for large chunks of the year. Paul Millsap also missed some time and Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. are yet to even suit up for a game.
And despite what I said about Jokic’s stats, they are still very impressive (especially his 7.5 apg which is pretty much unheard of for a center) and since Dec 1st, they have gotten even better. Since that date, he has put up over 23 points a night to go along with 11 rebounds and eight assists. If his numbers look more like that at the end of the season, and the Nuggets still occupy one of the top two or three spots in the West then Nikola Jokic will be in with as much of a shot as anyone of winning the MVP!