Matt Mathias

Sports Editor

mcm5909@psu.edu

As the second half of the 2021-2022 NBA season unfolds, several unlikely stars have established themselves as MVP candidates in the league. Lebron James and the Lakers have been struggling, Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets has been injured, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are having an average year, and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is having a consistent season as well. However, this year there is a new set of frontrunners that have led their teams to more success due to their leadership and skills. These players come from the likes of Chicago, Philadelphia, and of all places, Memphis.

DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls has really come into his own since joining the Bulls this season. He has led his squad to second place in the Easter Conference without some of his most valued players. Guards Zach Lavine and Lonzo Ball have been sidelined with injury over the past few months, yet DeRozan has pushed past these barriers with style and class. In fact, DeRozen had a recent cluster of games where he was averaging roughly 35 points in the span of nine games with the Bulls. His domination just cannot be denied in a stacked Eastern Conference this year. Overall, DeRozan is averaging 28.2 PPG, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this year. He’s shooting 51.6 percent from the field as well. DeRozan’s rise to stardom this season is reminiscent of his dominance of the East previously in his career with the Toronto Raptors. He may even be an NBA champion at this age if it were not for Lebron being in the East as well. 

Another dominating force in the east has been Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. The 76ers are only one game back from the Bulls, being in third in the Eastern Conference. However, Philadelphia has been in the media for all of the wrong reasons this year. Point guard Ben Simmons has adamantly avoided a dialogue with the team all season since being put on blast by the whole city of Philadelphia following his postseason performance last year. Regardless, Embiid has kept the ship afloat all of this time and has kept the 76ers in title contention with his amazing play. Embiid is averaging almost 30 PPG this season with 11 rebounds a game to go alongside it. Embiid is a difference maker on defense and his overall presence on the court is one to always be concerned about. Thankfully, the 76ers were able to give him some help following the trade deadline, as the moved off of Simmons and acquired shooting guard James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets. With this duo coming into their own, the East better watch out as the two of them have the potential to contend for a championship.

Last but not least, Ja Morant has officially put the NBA on notice. Most recently, Morant had an absolute showing against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, Feb 28 where he scored a career high 52 points. The third year talent is averaging 27.6 PPG, 5.9 boards per game, and 6.6 assists to go along with it. Morant has undoubtedly come into his own with the Grizzlies this season after being drafted in 2019. Memphis is third in the western conference at the moment and is looking to make a run out in the west. 

Regardless of who comes out on top with the award, it’s undeniable that these three stars have the best odds to win the MVP this season. As the games come to an end and the playoff begins, these players will certainly have all eyes on them as they compete for a title.