Kia MVP Ladder: Harden refuses to merge in search of reward

Statistics of the season: 36.6 points, 7.7 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 interceptions

Every time you join Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the only players to do something (six 50-point games in the same season), you deserve special attention. His feat on Thursday also placed Kia's most valuable player alongside Tiny Archibald and Russell Westbrook as the only players with three 50-point games and 10 assists in a single season. Bottom line? Harden does not concede no matter what in this pursuit of MVP Kia, with his final kick serving as evidence. Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni organizes rotations every night to allow enough time to manage his superstar's load management time. And Harden, of course, does not have it anyway. He said last season he would not be released and his latest efforts are proof of that. Unlike last season, the Rockets do not have the additional motivation to search for the best league record (and home field advantage throughout the playoffs) of motivation. But Harden does not seem to need to add anything to his historical quest.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Statistics of the season: 27 points, 12.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 interception, 1.4 blocks

Has this season's campaign finally caught up with "The Greek Freak?" Perhaps. He missed Monday's win in Chicago with a right knee injury. And he only played 24 minutes in Wednesday's wild victory in Sacramento with a restriction imposed by Mike Budenholzer. The Bucks coach, who understands the type of load management routine that works for his star (seeing him doing for Tim Duncan while he was assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs), has shown wise planning. Budenholzer saves Antetokounmpo from his ambitious 24-year-old to ensure he has the energy and health he needs for a playoff race. That said, in Los Angeles, anyone expects Antetokounmpo to vogue tonight against LeBron James and the Lakers (10:30 am ET, ESPN) is dreaming. This is the perfect scene to help punctuate a season-long Kia MVP campaign. Admittedly, Antetokounmpo has already accumulated many strong moments and moments of declaration. But the spotlight tonight at Staples Center, given the circumstances for the Lakers, will be even brighter than normal.

3. Paul George, Thunder of Oklahoma City

Statistics of the season: 28.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 flights

Another victim of the NBA season's wear, George injured his right shoulder Thursday night in the OkC's home defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers. This is the Thunder's third consecutive loss and the third in four games since the All-Star break. George's absence was blatant against the Sixers, who were also playing without their presenter and MVP candidate, Joel Embiid. The margin of error of the Thunder without George was fully displayed, and it should be noted for the playoffs. The pursuit for playoff positioning, however, is a much more pressing concern for the Thunder. They will need the back of George to tackle the Portland Trail Blazers and position themselves in 3rd place in the West. Like other superstars in the league, George has to balance his need for a physical break with that of his team, which is to have one of the most dynamic players on the ground for the last weeks of the season.

4. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Statistics of the season: 20.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.4 volley

Thursday night, a revelation effort by Utah jazz has interrupted the continuation of the weekend following the All Star by the Nuggets for first place in the West. It also reminded us how Jokic and the Nuggets are in a tenuous position as they try to move their screenplay scenario to the West's elite playoffs this season. Jokic beat Rudy Gobert until a near-stop of big elite men (finishing with 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists against Gobert's 16 points, eight rebounds and four blocks). But the Nuggets' playoff hopes this season will rest largely on Jokic, who is doing more than he did in Tuesday's win over Oklahoma City (almost a triple-double with 36 points, 10 points behind him). aids and nine rebounds). Jokic made it clear that being on the MVP's territory was a place where he was not as comfortable as others on this list. But if the Nuggets have to finish what they started, they will need the big guy to kiss his KPV.

5. Stephen Curry, warriors of the state of the gold

Statistics of the season: 28.4 points, 5.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 interception

It's still a little surprising to see the biggest shooter in NBA history going through a period of unusual recession. That's exactly where he is, as well as the Warriors, in their current trip. Even when Curry finishes with his normal production – as he did in Thursday's 103-96 loss to Orlando Magic – it's hard to miss his 3-point shooting problems. He had 33 points, of course, but he was 5-for-17 on 3 points and scored 4-for-14 on 3 points in consecutive games against Charlotte and Miami (divided by Golden State) previously. These are first world problems, of course. The warriors have snipers / scorers in Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. But when one of them is absent (as Durant was Thursday night) or has fun, the importance of Curry for the Warriors is amplified. The fact that the Warriors can maintain their status at the top of the West with all the twists and turns of a fifth consecutive championship campaign or nothing is proof of his talent. He also talks about the standard set by Curry and Co. In short, we only do tattooing for Steph.

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The next five

6 Kevin Durant, warriors of the state of the gold

7. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

8 Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

9 Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors

ten. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

And five others: Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics; Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz; Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets; Russell Westbrook, Thunder from Oklahoma City; Cities of Karl-Anthony, Minnesota Timberwolves

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