Steph Curry and Jayson Tatum were recently named NBA Players of the Week in the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively, after performing well in the second week of the 2023-24 campaign.
By leading the Warriors and the Celtics to 3-1 and 3-0 win-loss records, both of them earned recognition, so they have officially entered the early MVP talks.
However, Curry and Tatum will face stiff competition, with the likes of Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid all in the running. The NBA 2023 odds predict that the league’s most prestigious individual award is up for grabs this season.
Among the five superstars mentioned, three of them have already won MVP in seasons prior. Will a new guy win this season, or will one of the previous winners take it home once again?
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
The oldest player on this list is Steph Curry. The two-time league MVP and 2022 Finals MVP may have turned 35 years old, but he is ageing like fine wine.
Steph Curry is currently averaging 30.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He has been ultra-efficient from the field, shooting 66-per cent on two-pointers, 49-per cent on three-pointers, and 93-per cent from the free throw line.
In his eight games so far this season, Curry has at least made four threes per contest, including seven three-pointers made in three of his last five outings.
His best scoring performance to date was his 42-point outburst in a 130-102 blowout win against the Pelicans, where he became the first player in NBA history to make a three-pointer in 250 straight regular season games.
With him leading the way, Golden State are off to a 6-2 start and are looking like title contenders once again.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
The Celtics may have a stacked roster. But at the end of the day, their fate rests on the broad shoulders of Jayson Tatum, who is certainly their best player.
With Jayson Tatum at the forefront of their attack, the Celtics are off to a 5-1 start this season. The 25-year-old leads the team in scoring, averaging 30.2 points per game while shooting 55-per cent from the field. He is also the Celtics’ top rebounder, averaging 9.6 boards per contest.
In their most recent victory against the Nets, Tatum became the youngest player in Celtics franchise history to reach 10,000 career points, leapfrogging Antoine Walker.
Because he’s one of the most consistent players in the league, Boston fans can sleep well at night knowing that Tatum is always available to produce at an all-NBA level in every match.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is on a mission to return to the playoffs after missing out last season, and he has been on a tear seven games in.
The Slovenian sensation is nearly averaging a triple-double, with outstanding norms of 32.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game, and he has formed a strong backcourt partnership with Kyrie Irving.
His best performance to date was when he dropped 49 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in their 125-120 victory against the Nets last week, so he’s now one game behind Oscar Robertson for the most 40-10-5 games before turning 25 years old in NBA history.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Winning league MVP may no longer mean much to Nikola Jokic since he has won it twice already, but his performances speak otherwise.
Fresh from leading the Nuggets to their first title, the Joker is putting up impressive norms of 27.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game while shooting 63-per cent from the field.
Denver are on a positive stretch of NBA 2023 results because of Jokic’s exploits. Even with Jamal Murray sidelined due to injury, Denver are poised to extend their winning streak.
That was evident in their 134-116 rout of the Pelicans, as Jokic recorded 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists on 62-per cent shooting from the field.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia Sixers
With James Harden no longer in Philadelphia, Joel Embiid is tasked with doing the heavy lifting for the Sixers this season, and he has embraced the challenge with open arms.
This season, the 29-year-old is averaging 29.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.2 blocks per contest while shooting 50-per cent from the field.
The reigning league MVP and scoring champ is fresh from a 48-point explosion against the rebuilding Wizards on Monday, so SBOTOP basketball fans should expect any decline from him anytime soon.
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