NBA MVP Ladder: 1 clear, yet surprising, favorite as the end of the season arrives

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets haven't made many headlines this season, but that's exactly where the team should be aiming to be. With the regular season drawing to a close, the Nuggets are within striking distance of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. As the NBA Playoffs begin, the Nuggets are going to have as good of a chance as any other team in the league to win the NBA Championship. But for the Nuggets, it means that much more with the championship target already on their backs.

That hasn't stopped Nikola Jokic who is having another season for the record books. In what could end up being an NBA MVP season, Jokic is averaging 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists on 58 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from 3-point range. And if the Nuggets make another deep playoff run, which they're expected to, Jokic will be a big reason why.

There's a very real chance Jokic ends up winning another NBA MVP award this season and with how well the Nuggets have played over the past few years, it should come as no surprise.