International players expected to dominate Kia MVP race again
Slovenian guard Luka Doncic (left) and Serbian center Nikola Jokic are likely 2 MVP candidates in 2023-24.
NBA basketball returns Oct. 24. We are counting down the days like the seconds on a shot clock — literally, that’s what we’re doing. As of Oct. 1, our writers will list 24 storylines heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.
A new storyline will drop each day. Here is No. 12:
International players have dominated the MVP race the last five seasons. Here’s why that streak will continue.
Since 2000, Americans captured Kia MVP honors on 16 occasions while international players won it eight times. During the prime years of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and James Harden, Americans embarked on an 11-year streak of seizing MVP on the heels of a three-year run (2005-07) by international Hall of Famers Steve Nash (twice) and Dirk Nowitzki.
This season, expect continued international domination. The current betting odds favor three international players — Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid — who already have at least an MVP each. Plus, superstar guard Luka Doncic has been one of the favorites among bettors in each of the last four seasons.
Each of these players are in the prime years of their careers with Jokic coming off a championship, while Antetokounmpo and Embiid (the reigning MVP) lead Eastern Conference contenders. The Serbian superstar is favored to snatch his third MVP in four seasons. But Doncic’s dazzling play will always keep him in the conversation.
Among the Americans, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker might be the most likely candidates to make some noise in the race. Edwards, 22, is poised to take another leap in his development. But his candidacy could be negatively affected if the Timberwolves can’t climb out of eighth or ninth-seed range.
Booker should also be a top contender, if he can stay healthy. He played in just 53 games in 2022-23 due to a variety of injuries. Should that be the case this season, Booker wouldn’t be eligible for the award because of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement which, among other details, states players will have to appear in at least 65 games to qualify for the top individual awards such as MVP.
You’re probably wondering why stars such as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Harden, Curry, James and Durant haven’t been mentioned as MVP contenders. They’re all age 32 or older with injury concerns. But don’t count them out.
Right now, we’re witnessing the tremendous impact of the globalization of the game.
It’s now the international stars’ time to shine.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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