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NBA MVP Ladder 3.0: Nikola Jokic leads heading into the final stretch

By Daniel Outerbridge

Nov 4, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a basket in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a basket in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luka Doncic
Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks 

Luka Doncic was the favorite at the start of the season but some stiff competition has emerged who he will have to outplay if he plans on winning what could very well be his first of many MVP trophies. Now that the Mavs have acquired Kyrie Irving, they have another player other than Doncic who can facilitate and run the offense.

Irving’s presence will allow Doncic to play off the ball, allowing him to come off screens giving him better looks and more opportunities to score. The Mavs are sitting in the 6th spot in the West, and if Doncic can continue playing at his elite level and earn the Mavs at least a top-3 seed then he will have a realistic shot.

There will be no more excuses now that Irving is on board potentially giving them one of the best backcourt duos in the NBA. According to Statmuse.com, the Mavs are 3-7 without Doncic in the lineup and that record alone shows just how important he is to their success. Doncic also has on his resume a 60-21-10 triple-double he put up earlier this season which happened to be one of the best individual performances this season.

Health will also play a factor as Doncic has suffered nagging injuries that have forced him to miss games. This MVP race is so close that anytime Doncic does not suit up and play could be the difference maker, especially in crucial games towards the end of the season. It’s apparent that Doncic has something to prove as he shows and displays the hunger to want to win and be the best.

The combination of talent and competitiveness he has can ascend him to new heights and it’s unbelievable that he is already this good at 23 years old. Doncic is an extraordinary player who continues to wow with his amazing performances and it should be fun to anticipate what he has in store for the rest of the season.

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