After an excellent All-Star weekend and game, the NBA is back in action tonight. The first half of the season has been excellent also. In the East, Milwaukee is running away with things again. The Bucks are hoping to become the third team in history to win 70 games. Toronto, Boston, Miami and Philadelphia will be fighting for positions after them. In the West, the Los Angeles Lakers hold a four game lead. The Nuggets, Clippers and maybe the Jazz and Rockets hope to challenge them. The NBA is still mourning the shocking passing of Kobe Bryant.

All the players will definitely continue to go hard in his honor. After the first half of the season, who are some of the favorites for MVP? Will Giannis repeat? Can Lebron claim his fifth overall and first since 2013? Can someone besides those two stake claim for the NBA MVP award? Let’s look at the Top 5 candidates for the 2020 NBA MVP award.

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Once again, Giannis is having another great season. Milwaukee is focused and Giannis is once again leading the charge. Giannis is averaging 30 points, over 13 boards and almost six dimes a game. The Greek Freak is also one of the best defenders in the league. Giannis was the league MVP last season and he’s improved from then. Giannis is getting more comfortable shooting the 3, which makes him damn near unstoppable. Giannis puts up crazy numbers while being the one of the hardest workers on defense. Could Giannis repeat as league MVP?

 

Lebron James

Lebron is in his 17^th season and turned 35-years-old almost two months ago. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently atop of the Western Conference and James lead the league in assists. Lebron is averaging 25 points, 10.8 assists and almost 8 rebounds a game. Anthony Davis has missed a few games here and there, which prompted James to elevate his game. Lebron has been the best player in the league for well over a decade and he hasn’t won the award in almost 7 years. With Lebron, He has the Jordan affect seeing you could give it to him damn near every year. Will this be the year he brings his 5^th MVP with a third team?

 

James Harden

James Harden is once again leading the league in scoring. The Rockets are currently sitting 5^th in the Western Conference, but three games behind Denver for the 2^nd spot. Harden is averaging over 35 points, 7 dimes and over 6 boards a game. When the Rockets traded for Westbrook, many didn’t know how they’d work together. It took half the season, but it seems like Houston has figured something out. Westbrook was on a good stretch heading into the All-Star break and the Rockets are playing small ball. Houston traded Clint Capela to Atlanta and now anyone on the team could play center. While I’ll put Lebron and Giannis above Harden, don’t be surprised he goes on a hot streak.

 

Kawhi Leonard

We all know that Kawhi is a difference maker and he proved that last season. Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship. With his addition to the Clippers, along with Paul George they’re one of the favorites to win it all. Kawhi was doing load management at the beginning of the season, but that has changed. Leonard is still one of the best defenders in the league, but he’s scoring also. Kawhi is averaging a career high 27.2 points a game to go along with 7.5 boards and over 5 assists. Leonard is the leader of the team and with Paul George missing a good portion of the season, he’s stepped up. Has he done enough to challenge Lebron or Giannis? As of now, I’ll say no but we still have a good amount of games remaining.

 

Luca Doncic

Luka Doncic is going to be a problem for many years to come. The defending NBA Rookie of the Year is almost averaging a triple-double in his second season. Doncic is averaging almost 29 points, 9.5 boards and nearly 9 assists a game. Dallas is currently tied for the 6^th spot in the West. Luka has missed a considerable amount of games due to ankle injuries. If Luka didn’t miss those games, Dallas would probably be near the fourth spot. Coming into this season, many people thought Dallas would be a lottery team again. With Luka leading the way, Dallas could be a hard team to beat in the playoffs, if healthy. Could the 20-year-old bring home the league MVP award in his second season?

 

Nikola Jokic

Lastly, we have Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Last season, he was one of the guys in my conversation for the MVP award. The skilled big man has the Nuggets in the second spot in the West and four games behind the Lakers. The center leads the team in scoring, rebounds and assists, plus he’s a problem from anywhere on the floor. Jokic is averaging a little over 20 points, 10 rebounds and an astounding 7 assists a game. Denver is hoping to interrupt the much anticipated Los Angeles conference finals and Jokic could be the one to do it. Has he done enough to win the MVP award? Probably not, but he should be in the running.

 

What do you think about my top 6 candidates for the 2020 NBA MVP award? Who’s your favorite to win the 2020 NBA MVP award? Leave some feedback below on who should win the 2020 NBA MVP award.