MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 11: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks during the game at FedExForum on March 11, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 5. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Rank last week: HM
Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 27.5/5.8/6.7/1.2/0.4
FG%/3P%/FT%: 49.3/34.1/76.2
Off EPM / Def EPM: +4.8/-0.7
Ja Morant continues his ascendance as the Grizzlies keep rolling. Memphis went 3-0 against admittedly poor competition since the last rankings, and Morant is the reason why.
He doesn’t outjump other players so much as float down slower, as if gravity is reluctant to bring him back to Earth. He might have the three best highlights of the year – his ridiculous double-block, the Poeltl dunk, and that crazy halftime buzzer-beater.
Morant’s smile is contagious, and his selflessness is invigorating. Despite being a 22-year-old making MVP waves, he never forces the offense, and he celebrates his teammates’ success as much as his own.
His shooting has declined somewhat from outside, but he’s still willing to bomb away if that’s what the defense gives him. It opens up wider lanes for him to the rim, and he still leads the league in points in the paint. It’s hard to quantify, but it feels like Ja makes more shots on the way down from his jump’s apex than everyone else in the league combined.
Morant has become the soul of Memphis. He and his teammates don’t think of this year’s team as a flash in the pan, and they won’t be happy with a cute story and a first-round loss. They want a championship, and at this point, who are we to doubt them?
his ridiculous double-block</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/16/nba-mvp-ladder-week-22/2/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-gCoypNdvU%22>the Poeltl dunk, and that crazy halftime buzzer-beater</a>.</p>
<p>Morant’s smile is contagious, and his selflessness is invigorating. Despite being a 22-year-old making MVP waves, he never forces the offense, and he celebrates his teammates’ success as much as his own.</p>
<p>His shooting has declined somewhat from outside, but he’s still willing to bomb away if that’s what the defense gives him. It opens up wider lanes for him to the rim, and he still leads the league in points in the paint. It’s hard to quantify, but it <em>feels </em>like Ja makes more shots on the way down from his jump’s apex than everyone else in the league combined.</p>
<p>Morant has become the soul of Memphis. He and his teammates don’t think of this year’s team as a flash in the pan, and they won’t be happy with a cute story and a first-round loss. They want a championship, and at this point, who are we to doubt them?</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 13: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on March 13, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics</h2>
<p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 5</p>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: </strong>26.8/8.2/4.2/1.0/0.7</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%: </strong>44.0/33.7/85.2</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM: </strong>+3.8/+1.2</p>
<p>Jayson Tatum clings to this spot over Morant and Doncic despite losing a close one to the Mavs thanks to his continued two-way work ethic. No other wing in the NBA has Tatum’s combination of balletic scoring grace and defensive chops, and his ability to go hard on both ends speaks volumes about his will to win.</p>
<p>Tatum has been so good for so long it’s hard to imagine he just turned 24 years old. He’s reaching the age where his maturity is catching up to his physical talents, and he’s starting to see the floor better than ever before.</p>
<p>Over the last ten games, Tatum has been averaging 4.6 assists, which ranks second on the team, and 8.7 potential assists. A solid rebounder, defender, and scorer, playmaking is the last area that Tatum has yet to master. If he can average over five assists per game next season and continues to hone his decision-making and shot selection, he could be at the forefront of the MVP debate as soon as next year.</p>
<p>But this season, the big (in every sense) three are too far ahead right now. That being said, voters are guaranteed to get tired of voting for the same three guys every year. Antetokounmpo is already a two-time MVP, Jokic has one trophy and might be adding a second, and Embiid’s health is a constant question mark. Despite their continued dominance, the field could be wide open for new entrants as soon as next season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/16/nba-mvp-ladder-week-22/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 14: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with James Harden #1 against the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center on March 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 114-110, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers</h2>
<p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 3</p>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 29.9/11.3/4.3/1.1/1.5</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 48.5/36.6/82.2</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM:</strong> +6.0/+1.8</p>
<p>Joel Embiid is coming off a disappointing week that saw a total blowout in a highly-hyped game against the Brooklyn Nets, a difficult comeback victory against the feisty Orlando Magic, and a close loss to Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on the second night of a back-to-back.</p>
<p>Embiid himself played aggressively in those games but shot poorly. He seems to have adopted some of Harden’s worst free-throw hunting tendencies already, and although they’ve worked sometimes (he’s drawing a boatload of free throws), he’s also making shots more difficult for himself and absorbing even more contact than usual.</p>
<p>His defense has been a step below his high standards for much of the year. It feels as though he’s saving his best self for the playoffs, but he’s <em>this close </em>to an MVP trophy, and you’d love to see him go all out right now, particularly with his team fighting for a top seed.</p>
<p>Embiid still has a chance to have some statement games. Looming contests against Dallas, Miami, and especially Milwaukee will give him an opportunity to dominate against elite competition, something the media has typically valued at the end of the season.</p>
<p>Harden’s arrival hasn’t depressed Embiid’s statistics, which is a great sign. If they can recapture their early magic and make a strong run over the final fifteen games of the season, Embiid will have a chance to capture his coveted MVP trophy.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 14: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 114-110, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets</h2>
<p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 1</p>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 26.0/13.8/8.1/1.4/0.8</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 57.2/34.9/80.4</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM:</strong> +7.3/+1.4</p>
<p>Nikola Jokic had a quiet week by his standards. He played decently well against Joel Embiid and the 76ers Monday night, although coming away with the win is huge after two consecutive losses to the Warriors and the Raptors.</p>
<p>He continues to be the greatest show this side of Ja Morant,- must-see TV. Describing Jokic to our children will be a lot like listening to our parents talk about Larry Bird. You kind of had to be there to really understand his greatness. The stats, while impressive, don’t convey how awkwardly beautiful the one-of-a-kind big man’s game truly is.</p>
<p>But as great as Jokic is, one must wonder if the burden he’s carried all season long is starting to weigh on him. He’s looked a tad slower of late, and his much-improved defense has been slightly more inconsistent. That said, he’s still putting up monster numbers, and the Nuggets were on a tear before this week.</p>
<p>It’s hard to lumber up and down the court every night while being the focal point of everything the Nuggets do, so the impending return of Michael Porter Jr. will hopefully give Jokic just a little bit more breathing room. The statistical dominance Jokic has had over the competition all season has started to narrow, and he’ll need to get his groove back to regain the lead.</p>
<p>The Nuggets are 1.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks and 1.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves for the sixth spot, and they’ll need a strong finish to hold off Minnesota and avoid the play-in tournament.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbling the ball drives towards the basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 12, 2022 in San Francisco, California, NBA MVP Ladder Week 22: Clash of the titans at the top. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Week 22 NBA MVP Ladder: 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks</h2>
<p><strong>Rank last week:</strong> 2</p>
<p><strong>Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks:</strong> 29.7/11.5/5.9/1.1/1.4</p>
<p><strong>FG%/3P%/FT%:</strong> 54.8/30.3/72.1</p>
<p><strong>Off EPM / Def EPM: </strong>+6.3/+1.0</p>
<p>Giannis Antetokounmpo’s relentlessness has finally rewarded him with the top spot in the NBA MVP Ladder. He never stops coming. Despite being a two-time MVP already, this is possibly his finest season ever – and he’s playing his best basketball when it matters most.</p>
<p>The Miwlaukee Bucks have had an uneven season but are peaking at the right time (7-1 in their last eight games). They currently sit at second in the Eastern Conference. During that stretch, Giannis is averaging a cool 31-13-5 on 57% shooting with three combined steals and blocks.</p>
<p>Antetokounmpo is notching the highest scoring average of his career and is tied for his highest assist average, which is astonishing considering how much playmaking he’s ceded to Jrue Holiday this season. He’s averaging fewer turnovers than he has since 2017-2018, and he’s playing his usual Defensive Player of the Year defense (seriously, Jimmy Butler prays that he won’t have to see Antetokounmpo in the playoffs again).</p>
<p>There aren’t any holes in Antetokounmpo’s game. He’s even shooting 72 percent from the free-throw line, and last season’s playoff struggles at the stripe are in the rearview mirror.</p>
<p>The advanced stats have favored Jokic all season long, but the Greek Freak has matched or surpassed Jokic in several of them. There’s still no scarier sight in basketball than Giannis in transition.</p>
<p>Most of the public is sleeping on Giannis this season. That’s what happens when the bar is set so high. Voter fatigue and people’s reluctance to move from their previously-held positions may make winning this award impossible for Antetokounmpo. Still, true to form, he’s not going to go down without a fight.</p>
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