2023-24 NBA MVP race: Another three-man ladder likely looms

Ric Bucher

FOX Sports NBA Analyst

Are you weary of seeing the NBA MVP battle resemble a JumboTron dot race limited to three main contestants constantly changing position until one emerges with a narrow victory?

Well, buckle up — all indications are that another three-way race featuring Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo is once again going to dictate who winds up with another piece of shiny hardware on their mantle. Those balking at the idea that the reigning MVP, Embiid, couldn’t possibly repeat after yet another disappointing second-round playoff exit are oblivious to several realities.

One, repeat winners is kind of a thing. Of the 13 winners before Embiid, seven won it twice in a row. The latest back-to-back MVP, Jokic, did it despite getting swept out of the second round after his first one.

Two, Embiid’s 76ers should still have one of the league’s better records despite the ruckus by, and potential absence of, James Harden. Much as he did when Ben Simmons opted to stay home, Embiid is fully capable of carrying the Sixers without a definitive No. 2 and will be lauded if he does. Voters have short memories and stubbornly cling to the (legitimate) argument that it is a regular-season award.

The intrigue is going to be if an up-and-coming star can break up that trifecta at the top of everyone’s ballot and put everyone on notice that they’re tracking toward eventually being No. 1. There are also several young franchise cornerstones who could see themselves on the five-man voting ballot for the first time. Remember, this isn’t the top 10 players in the league, but those perceived to be most valuable or instrumental to their team’s success. Candidates with star-studded supporting casts are at a disadvantage.

Consider this, FOX Sports’ opening MVP Ladder — which will be updated monthly — as a harbinger of who could receive the most votes at year’s end.

For now, this is who the likeliest contenders are as the season gets underway Tuesday night:

Ric Bucher is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. He previously wrote for Bleacher Report, ESPN The Magazine and The Washington Post and has written two books, “Rebound,” on NBA forward Brian Grant’s battle with young onset Parkinson’s, and “Yao: A Life In Two Worlds.” He also has a daily podcast, “On The Ball with Ric Bucher.” Follow him on Twitter @RicBucher.

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