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T-10: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.and Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Ranking before Devin Booker: Unranked
Stephen Curry Last Ranking: 5
Zion Williamson Last Ranking: 9
Yes, make this a “Wounded Appreciation Slot”. Players like James Harden and LeBron James have the potential to be in the top 10, but I’m not quite there yet.
Booker’s MVP stock only rose while he was sidelined with a groin injury. Sands is a dump fire without him. Minus 49 when he’s off the lineup compared to plus 120 when he’s on the floor.
By the time you read this, Curry will be back from his left shoulder injury. Golden State treading water in his absence, which is winning 6-5, doesn’t hurt his claim in the slightest. This will see him play more high-stakes minutes in the coming months, opening the door for him to rejoin the higher tiers of this race.
Zion’s case endurance will have him reassessing his right hamstring at the end of January. If he is cleared to come back, he will have time to make up his mind. If he approaches or passes the All-Star break, he will struggle to climb much higher than the honorable mention section.
9. Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Morant has been hovering around this debate for the entire season. And his case remains very fluid.
On the one hand, he’s churning out 27.2 points and eight assists while making 51.7% of his two shots, and generally playing a better defense against a potential top-seeded Grizzlies team. I’m here. On the other hand, his three-point slump is real, last time he was 22.9% off the MVP ladder and this season he’s 31%, and the margins on this conversation are incredibly thin. So he ends up here.
8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder
Previous ranking: 6
The SGA has seen a significant drop in 3-point volume and accuracy over the past few weeks. He has achieved his 11th triple in his last six games. Head coach Mark Digneaux said: thoroughly insightful answer By the way, when asked about regressions, which are absolutely critical in this area.
Still, SGA’s pandemonium within the arc remains at an all-time high, and he’s playing to sniff the defense. More importantly, he remains the driving force behind Oklahoma City’s social standing.
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Previous ranking: 10
After dropping 71 points and 11 assists against the Chicago Bulls on January 2, Mitchell earned MVP promotion all the time. But that outburst also marked his entire season.
Mitchell has been the Cavaliers’ offensive heartbeat all year and is the player most responsible for navigating a variety of injuries, a still-rocky half-court setup and a lack of variable pacing. Cleveland easily won the (long) time he recorded without both Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, especially when it comes to knocking down off-the-dribble 3s.
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