The Los Angeles Lakers’ hot streak has fans thinking championship, and head coach JJ Redick made it clear that Luka Doncic has been the best player in the NBA for two-thirds of the season. He believes that makes his superstar the Most Valuable Player, and voters should listen to his words.
Lakers fans know how special Luka has been. He is leading the NBA in scoring and keeps putting up unbelievable numbers. Doncic has locked in his defense to help LA win 15 of their last 17. It has all but secured LA the third seed in the West and made them a legit title threat. The Lakers were written off midseason, but everyone forgot Luka wears purple and gold.
It is shaping up to be a historic MVP race. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to go back-to-back. Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic also have strong cases to take home the award, but it should be Luka’s year. Nobody thought the Lakers would be here, and number 77 is to thank.
JJ Redick outlines the perfect MVP case for Luka Doncic
Luka was suspended for Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards, but that didn’t stop the media from asking coach Redick about his superstar. The question centered on Doncic's MVP candidacy, and fans can read the coach’s quote below.
“If we continue to finish the season the way we are playing right now, and he continues to play that way, to me, he is the MVP. Sometimes there is recency bias, and sometimes there is the bias of a certain stretch of the season. I think when we started 15-4, you could have made the case he was MVP then. He’s been the MVP for two of the three segments of the season.”
Doncic has two shots to sway the voters still. The Lakers still face the Thunder twice, and Luka dominating SGA could be just what he needs. OKC will be the top seed in the West, but Doncic getting two late wins could give voters the recency bias coach Redick mentioned.
Luka has been the best player for the majority of the season. He has won Player of the Week four times. SGA and Jokic have three each, with Wemby winning two. Each of the four MVP candidates won Player of the Month once. Doncic has the edge in scoring and is playing the best basketball of his career. It is the narrative that is preventing him from getting more love for the prestigious award. Sadly, that is how it always goes with MVP.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made his case for Luka Doncic to win the Most Valuable Player award. Fans know too well how good number 77 has been. Luka has made a subpar roster a serious title contender. He is unstoppable and gives his team a shot to win every night. That sounds like the MVP to me.