Will the top of the MVP ladder be well represented in this weekend’s All-Star Draft? – Basketball Insider
Will the top of the MVP ladder be well represented in this weekend’s All-Star Draft? – Basketball Insider
#top #MVP #ladder #represented #weekends #AllStar #Draft #Basketball #Insider Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
Click Me To View Restricted Videos
We’re all excited to see the top of the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder faithfully represented in the live televised NBA All-Star Draft, a first pregame segment that will take place just minutes before the highly anticipated game begins between the best of the west and the best of the east in Salt Lake City.
All of the players listed in the latest edition of the draft are expected to take part in the All-Star Game, save for the stars who are still struggling with injuries, such as Kevin Durant and possibly Giannis Antetokounmpo after he threw himself out last night injured his wrist, or even players who were snubbed like James Harden, who was not selected after 10 direct NBA Showcase appearances until this year.
Others will have double duties like Portland’s Damian Lillard and the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum as they are scheduled to compete in the Starry Three-Point Contest or if Antetokounmpo proves fit as he should compete in the Kia Skills Challenge and other weekend activities.
Let’s recap how this works. The first step was the voting results that each conference’s captains chose, as LeBron James leads the west and the Greek freak leads the east. However, it is the Lakers star who will receive the first pick of the All-Star draft as he was the overall leader in voting during the voting process. After that, both captains choose one after the other from the all-star pool.
Just this week, TNT’s Ernie Johnson announced during the show “Inside the NBA” that the heads of each conference will select the reserves first before drafting the eight starters, which is a different dynamic considering it’s been the case at previous ones selections was reversed.
With the Bucks star representing the first top 5 player in the MVP ladder not in the pool, will the other four in the Kia race be the next to be picked?
Here’s our updated MVP ladder ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JDeIks60eI
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) February 16, 2023
Of course, the answer is probably not as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic and Tatum are all different players with different qualities. It’s important not to take anything too personally at this point, as every captain has their own preferences, needs, and maybe even friendships that need to be respected.
Still, it’s our job to anticipate, predict, and just enjoy the opportunities that come our way. Because that’s what the All-Star Game is for, right? It’s time to put all the rigorous competition behind for just a few days and dream of the unthinkable this weekend in Utah.
MVP Ladder: Embiid jumps a spot while Giannis sits just behind Jokic at the front of the race
As Denver’s Jokic and Antetokounmpo maintain their strong case at the top of the ladder, Sixers star Embiid jumps back to 3rd behind Tatum, who moves up to fourth, just above Luka Doncic, who remains in fifth place for another week race remains.
The NBA announces they will return to Kia racing through March 3 after this edition of the MVP Ladder.
Here’s the full top 10 list of the campaign’s best players in the league:
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (Ranking last week: #1)
2. Giannis Antetokoumpo, Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week Ranking: No. 2)
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Last week’s ranking: No. 4)
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Last week’s ranking: #3)
5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks (Last week’s ranking: No. 5)
6. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last Week Ranking: No. 6)
7. Julius Randle, New York Knicks (Last week’s ranking: No. 7)
8. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week Ranking: No. 9)
9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Last week’s ranking: No. 10)
10. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings (Last Week Ranking: No. 8)
