The Sportsletter - No Jo-Jo? The New NBA MVP Ladder

BY JEFF YODER

FEB. 14, 2024 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning 👋

And Happy Valentine's Day... There’s a Super Bowl parade about to take over the streets of Kansas City. I’m sure we’ll see the sights and sounds break the internet throughout the afternoon.

As for us? It’s an NBA-heavy edition as we turn our focus towards the All-Star break. I’ll be in Indy this weekend for the festivities (next stop: dunk contest!), so Marissa Kasch and Aaron Yorke will be taking over The Sportsletter the rest of the week.

In today’s edition: A new NBA MVP rule-change went into effect this year, and it’s already causing change. Plus, the Champions League is back, and the fans have spoken in regards to the GOAT.

Letter Rip!

  NBA  

Jo-Eligibility Issues: The MVP Race is Open

Photo: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images

Joel Embiid is Officially Ineligible to Win NBA MVP Under New Rules, So Who Leads the MVP Ladder?

The NBA MVP ladder, as it’s unofficially named, was brought down a peg this past weekend thanks to some new rule changes. Philadelphia 76ers’ big man Joel Embiid missed his 17th game on Saturday, making him officially ineligible to win the NBA MVP award. This is the NBA’s first year enacting the new rule that states a player must play 65 games to be eligible for MVP, and it’s taking effect right out of the gate. Embiid was sidelined two weeks ago for surgery on a torn meniscus, and he’ll likely be out until late March. It’s a shame, because Embiid was likely on pace for another MVP.

Jo-Eligibility Issues: Even in limited games, Embiid has stacked up some monster box scores this year, including a 70-point game on Jan. 22. He also had two 50-pieces and a 48-point game. Overall, he’s averaging 35.3 points (1st), 11.3 rebounds (7th) and 5.7 assists while shooting 53.3 percent. Those numbers likely would’ve led to his second-straight MVP award. Instead, an unprecedented run of repeat MVPs comes to an end. Here's a new look at our MVP ladder coming down the stretch.

Updated 2023-24 NBA MVP Ladder

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)

Stats: 31.1. Points, 5.6 Rebounds, 6.6 Assists

If we haven't said it already this season, there’s a storm brewing in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have become a Western Conference terror with the uprising of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA was part of that blockbuster deal a few years ago that sent Paul George to the Clippers. Now, the Thunder are reaping the rewards. His stats put him top-5 in scoring, and he’s leading OKC to a top-seed out West. Current Odds: +250

2. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)

Stats: 26.3 Points, 12.2 Rebounds, 9.0 Assists

The stat-stuffing Serbian shockwave continues to strike gold in Denver. Couldn’t we make a case for Jokic to be the MVP every year? His triple-double count keeps rising, and the Nuggets are within five games of the best record in the league. A win streak could propel Jokic to his third MVP down the stretch. In many early polls, and amongst oddsmakers, he’s the leading favorite over SGA. Current Odds: -160

3. Luka Doncic (Mavericks)

Stats: 34.6 Points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.5 Assists

Even though an MVP is unlikely, Luka Doncic is the must-see player in the NBA right now. His only delay is the Mavericks’ record (31-23). They’re mid-tier in the West, and that usually plays a big role in MVP voting. Nine 40-point games is special, and his 73-point performance alone could rock the vote. Current Odds: +700

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)

Stats: 31.1 Points, 11.2 Rebounds, 6.4 Assists

It’s been a “quiet” season for Giannis in Milwaukee. He’s still putting up monster numbers with top-10 scoring and rebounding, but sharing the rock with Damian Lillard is an ongoing process. The Bucks’ record (35-19) should be better than it is, and I think there are too many other great players this year to see Giannis get his third MVP. Current Odds: +700

5. Jayson Tatum (Celtics)

Stats: 26.9 Points, 8.4 Rebounds, 4.5 Assists

The best player on the best team? That’s Tatum. Unfortunately for JT, he has to share the stats with Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. His numbers don’t pop off the stat sheet, but a few big moments down the stretch could change that and lead to his first MVP award. He’s still top-5 in our current ladder rankings, just ahead of Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson. Current Odds: +5000

Still in MVP Consideration

K. Durant (Suns): 28.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.7 apg

D. Mitchell (Cavs): 28.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.4 apg

J. Brunson (Knicks): 27.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.5 apg

K. Leonard (Clippers): 24.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.7 apg

A. Edwards (T-Wolves): 25.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 5.3 apg

Who do you think is leading the NBA MVP race? Email me and let me know. For now, the All-Star break and 30 more games stand between us and the playoffs. There’s plenty of time for movement up (or down) the ladder.

Read More

ESPN+: Straw Poll: Where 100 League Insiders See the NBA MVP Race

Yahoo! Sports: NBA MVP Rankings: Top Contenders With Embiid Out

Yardbarker: After Joel Embiid’s Injury, the NBA MVP Race is Wide Open

NBA Highlights

SGA Spoils Shaq’s Jersey Night: The Magic raised Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey into the rafters on Tuesday — the first jersey retirement in franchise history — but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32 points), Jalen Williams (33 points) and the Thunder spoiled the occasion. OKC is one game back of Minnesota for the West’s top spot. (Thunder def. Magic, 127-113)

Ant’s 41 Powers Wolves: Anthony Edwards made his statement for MVP on Tuesday with 41 in a win over the Blazers to keep Minnesota atop the West. Edwards shot 16-for-27 (59%). It was just his second 40-point game of the year. (T-Wolves def. Blazers, 121-109)

Suns Hold Off Kings: Another West battle saw Phoenix and Sacramento go blow-for-blow in the desert, but Kevin Durant (28-11-6) and the Suns held off Domantas Sabonis’s triple-double (35-18-12) to give Phoenix their sixth win in eight games. (Suns def. Kings, 130-125)

Heat Stifle Bucks: The Heat are starting to catch fire in February. Miami beat Milwaukee last night by 26. They’ve now won five of their last seven this month while holding every team below 110 points. Their only losses during that stretch were to the Celtics and Clippers, both by single digits. (Heat def. Bucks, 123-97)

Tatum Drops 41: The Celtics won their fifth straight game last night with a narrow victory over the Nets, and Jayson Tatum had 41 points (five 3s), 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Boston now has a six-game lead over second place in the East. (Celtics def. Nets, 118-110)

AD Fuels Lakers: The Lakers lit up the Pistons last night thanks to 20 points, 14 boards and 6 blocks from Anthony Davis. Los Angeles has suddenly won five of their last six to regain their footing in the Western Conference playoff race. (Lakers def. Pistons, 125-111)

  CHAMPIONS LEAGUE  

Bring On the Knockouts!

Photo: Zac Goodwin / Getty Images

Real Madrid & Manchester City Win Leg 1s as Champions League Knockouts Get Underway

Two months later, here we go again! The UEFA Champions League returned yesterday for the kickoff to the Round of 16 — the Knockout Stage. Leg 1s are all the rage this week across the pond with a spring-long tournament to determine the champions of Europe. The action began with two superpowers taking Leg 1 victories. Manchester City obliterated FC Copenhagen (3-1) and Real Madrid snuck past RB Leipzig (1-0). We’ll tell you about yesterday’s matches before another two-pack arrives this afternoon.

Man. City def. FC Copenhagen (3-1)

The Cinderella story for Copenhagen got a rude awakening on Tuesday. The Danish side was getting pummeled left and right by Manchester City, but they clung to a 1-1 tie just before Bernardo Silva scored heading into halftime. Phil Foden (90+2’) added an insurance goal late, but make no mistake, it was all City. The defending champs outshot Copenhagen (27-4) and out-possessed them (79%-21%). It’ll take a miracle for Copenhagen to survive Leg 2.

Real Madrid def. RB Leipzig (1-0)

A more balance match took place in in Germany where RB Leipzig held Real Madrid to a scoreless tie at halftime. Los Blancos opened the second half with a stunner from Brahim Diaz (48’), and that was all Madrid needed. A 50-50 possession count and a near-even shot count (15-14) made this one of the more intriguing early-16 matchups. Another German powerhouse (Bayern Munich) takes the pitch today.

Today’s Schedule (Round of 16, Leg 1)

PSG vs. Real Sociedad (3:00 pm ET, CBS)

Lazio vs. Bayern Munich (3:00 pm ET, CBS)

Read More

ESPN: Can Anyone Stop Manchester City in the Champions League?

The Athletic: How Real Madrid Beat RB Leipzig on Brahim Diaz’s Stunning Goal

  HIGHLIGHTS   🎥

🏒 NHL

Lightning def. Bruins (3-2, S/O)

*Brayden Point Nets GW Shootout Goal

Sabres def. Kings (7-0)

*Luukkonen Makes 33 Saves in Blowout

Maple Leafs def. Blues (4-1)

*Bobby McMann Nets 1st Career Hat Trick

Oilers def. Red Wings (8-4)

*Connor McDavid Tallies 6 Assists

🏀 NCAA Basketball

M: #4 Marquette def. Butler (78-72)

M: Syracuse Upsets #7 North Carolina (86-79)

  STORYLINES   

🏈 NFL Teams to Watch in 2024

As the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate their latest championship, the rest of the league is hard at work trying to knock them off their pedestal and hoist the Lombardi Trophy for themselves. Roster-building milestones are coming, so what teams should be watching? (CBS Sports)

⚾️ MLB Free Agents STILL Available

Four of the original top-10 offseason MLB free agents are still unsigned — Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Jordan Montgomery and Matt Chapman, all of whom are clients of Scott Boras — plus a bunch of intersting players. Will deals get done before spring training? (ESPN+)

🏀 Bronny James is a 1st-Rounder?

USC freshman guard Bronny James has been limited in his first collegiate season, but being LeBron James' son is reportedly enough for team's to view him as a potential first-round draft pick. He’s averaging just 5.9 points per game, but the name goes a long way. (Bleacher Report)

  NEWS   📰 

• Athletics Hire Jenny Cavnar as MLB’s First Woman Primary Play-by-Play Announcer (SI)
• Las Vegas Super Bowl Sets Gambling Record for Nevada Sportsbooks (CBS Sports)
• Jorger Soler Agrees to 3-Year, $42 Million Contract With Giants (B/R)
• Police Make Arrest in Theft & Destruction of Jackie Robinson Statue (ESPN)
• Suns Sign Veteran Thaddeus Young for Remainder of Season After Nets Waive Forward (NBC Sports)
• ‘Mama Kelce’ Gets Shout-Out From Southwest Flight Crew on Way Out of Las Vegas (USA Today)
• Shohei Ohtani ‘Trending Toward Being Ready’ for Opening Day After Blasting 10 HRs in Spring Training (Yahoo! Sports)

  SCHEDULE   🗓️

Today's Must-Watch List

🏀 NBA

Heat at 76ers (7:00 pm ET, NBALP)

Bulls at Cavs (7:30 pm ET, ESPN)

Spurs at Mavericks (8:30 pm ET, NBALP)
Kings at Nuggets (9:00 pm ET, NBALP)

Lakers at Jazz (9:00 pm ET, NBALP)

Clippers at Warriors (10:00 pm ET, ESPN)

🏒 NHL

Panthers at Penguins (7:30 pm ET, TNT)

Wild at Coyotes (9:30 pm ET, ESPN+)

⚽️ Champions League (Round of 16, Leg 1)

Lazio vs. Bayern Munich (3:00 pm ET, CBS)
PSG vs. Real Sociedad (3:00 pm ET, CBS)

🏀 NCAA Basketball

W: Nebraska at #2 Ohio State (7:00 pm ET, Peacock)

M: #11 South Carolina at #13 Auburn (8:30 pm ET, SECN)

  POLL RESULTS   📊

The GOAT Debate: Mahomes vs. Brady

The results are in: Roughly 2/3 of readers say Tom Brady will always be the ‘GOAT’ — The Greatest of All-Time. Mahomes himself called Brady the GOAT in multiple interviews yesterday. Time will tell.

The GOAT Debate

Patrick Mahomes — 35.5%

Tom Brady — 64.5%

  THE TEAM  

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

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