Wins are catching up to Luka's video game numbers: Week 5 MVP Ladder
Overview
Luka Doncic has been putting up video game numbers this season, and for weeks, @bucketscenter followers have been begging for him to be higher on this list. However, for an MVP ladder, team success must play a significant factor. Unfortunately, Luka's Mavs weren't winning enough compared to his peers, who also averaged 30+ PPG a night. This week, Doncic won both games he played, averaging 38.5 PPG, 12 RPG, and 7.5 APG. Dallas lost to the worst team in the Western Conference in the one game he sat, the Houston Rockets. The Mavs scored just 92 points in this game on an embarrassing 30 FG% and 22 3PT%, looking lost without their MVP. Dallas being 8-5 in games Luka plays, coupled with his absurd stats, earns him the top spot.
Tatum and Giannis were neck and neck for the number 2 spot, but Giannis missing games, coupled with his declining efficiency, gave Tatum the edge. JT also is riding an eight-game winning streak! Shai and Embiid are the new additions finding themselves right in the middle of the race. Shai's Thunder are the 11th seed below the play-in tournament position. However, they are 7-7 with him in the lineup and a top 10 seed when he plays, qualifying for the list. Shai has been remarkable, averaging 30+ PPG on 50+ FG%, 40+ 3PT%, and 90+ FT%. Joel Embiid is averaging equal PPG as Shai on the same TS%. His rim protection has been excellent, and he's also grabbing double-digit rebounds. Shai got the edge primarily due to playing more games, doing just as well with a worse supporting cast, and Embiid's slower start to begin the season.
Donovan Mitchell received the most significant drop in this week's list. Individually, Mitchell has still been producing at a high level, but this slippage is a product of his team losing games. After battling with Milwaukee atop the East standings, Cleveland has lost five straight games, four of which Mitchell played. De'Aaron Fox is an honorable mention for the list putting up solid all-around numbers with great efficiency for a Kings team that has won five straight and eight of their last 10. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant stans, your favorite player's teams suck right now, so they don't qualify. That said, I would argue that Stephen Curry INDIVIDUALLY has been slightly better than my number 1, Luka Doncic.
Buckets Week 5 MVP Ladder
Luka Doncic: 34.4 PPG 8.8 RPG 7.8 APG 60.4 TS% +3.8 Net Rating (+3.5 without) 8-5 record
Jayson Tatum: 31.1 PPG 7.4 RPG 4.1 APG 63 TS% +8.8 Net Rating (+2.5 without) 12-3 record
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.9 PPG 11.8 RPG 5.5 APG 56.6 TS% +8.1 Net Rating (-0.7 without) 9-2 record
Ja Morant: 29.3 PPG 6.2 RPG 6.8 APG 58.2 TS% +6.3 Net Rating (-8.4 without) 9-4 record
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.3 PPG 4.5 RPG 5.9 APG 63.9 TS% +3.7 Net Rating (-7.6 without) 7-7 record
Joel Embiid: 32.3 PPG 10.1 RPG 4.1 APG 63.9 TS% +7.5 Net Rating (-4 without) 5-5 record
Donovan Mitchell: 30.9 PPG 4.5 RPG 5.8 APG 64 TS% +4.9 Net Rating (+4.1 without) 7-5 record
Damian Lillard: 27.6 PPG 4.5 RPG 7 APG 61.8 TS% +3.5 Net Rating (+0.2 without) 7-3 record
Devin Booker: 26.6 PPG 4.6 RPG 5.8 APG 59 TS% +9.4 Net Rating (-2.3 without) 9-5 record
Nikola Jokic: 20.8 PPG 9.5 RPG 8.9 APG 68.1 TS% +12.6 Net Rating (-14.2 without) 9-4 record
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