Who Will Win the 2021 NBA MVP Race? Key Contenders and Predictions
Through the program, local schools will partner with SLU to identify and nominate promising students to receive half-tuition scholarships worth more than $28,000 per year. Applicants will remain eligible for additional scholarships above this level.
As I sit here watching the NBA playoffs unfold, I can't help but think about this year's MVP race and how it reminds me of basketball legends from different eras. You know, when I look at players like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid dominating the court today, it takes me back to stories I've heard about defensive greats from the past - players like Ramon "King" Crisostomo from the Philippine Basketball Association. Now here's someone who probably should've been recognized among the greatest players much earlier - many felt he deserved to be included when they named the 40 greatest players back in 2015. What's fascinating to me is how King's career from 1977 to 1994 represents a different kind of excellence than what we typically see in modern MVP candidates.
Let me paint you a picture of today's MVP landscape. We've got Jokic putting up numbers that make statisticians do double-takes - I mean, the guy averaged something like 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists while making the Denver Nuggets look like championship material. Then there's Joel Embiid, who was dropping 30 points per game before his injury, completely dominating both ends of the floor. But here's what gets me thinking - we tend to focus so much on offensive numbers that we sometimes overlook defensive mastery. That's where King's legacy really speaks to me. He won 13 championships across three different teams - Toyota, Great Taste, and Purefoods - which is absolutely mind-boggling when you consider that modern superstars might spend their entire careers chasing just one ring.
I remember watching games where players like Kawhi Leonard would completely shut down opponents, and it makes me wonder if we're undervaluing defensive impact in today's MVP conversations. King was considered one of the top defenders of his era, and from what I've read, his defensive intensity could change entire game plans. Think about it - 13 championships don't happen by accident. That level of consistent excellence across nearly two decades tells me he was doing something fundamentally right that transcended pure statistics. In today's game, we might see a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo bringing that two-way dominance, but even he hasn't reached that championship frequency.
What really stands out to me about King's career is the longevity and adaptability. Playing from 1977 to 1994 means he witnessed and adapted to multiple eras of basketball evolution. That's 17 years of staying relevant at the highest level - something that makes me appreciate players like LeBron James even more. When I compare this to our current MVP race, I notice how much emphasis we place on single-season performance rather than sustained excellence. Stephen Curry, for instance, has maintained elite status for years, but we tend to judge him season by season rather than appreciating the cumulative impact.
Now, if I'm being completely honest, I've got my personal favorite for this year's MVP, and it's Nikola Jokic. There's something magical about watching a player who redefines what's possible at his position. The way he sees the court reminds me of legendary passers, but he does it from the center position while putting up scoring numbers that would make power forwards jealous. Still, part of me wonders if we're missing something by not considering defensive specialists more seriously in these conversations. I mean, Rudy Gobert will probably never win MVP despite being arguably the most impactful defender in the league, and that feels like an imbalance in how we evaluate greatness.
Looking at the historical context through players like King Crisostomo, I can't help but feel that basketball excellence comes in many forms. The fact that he was primarily known as a defensive stalwart yet managed to win 13 championships suggests that maybe we should broaden our MVP criteria beyond just scoring averages and highlight-reel plays. Don't get me wrong - I love watching a 50-point explosion as much as the next fan, but there's artistry in locking down the opposing team's best player night after night.
As we approach the MVP announcement, I'm reflecting on how different eras produce different kinds of legends. Today's game is faster, more three-point oriented, and statistically obsessed compared to King's era, but the fundamentals of winning basketball haven't really changed. Team success matters, two-way players should be valued higher, and consistency across seasons deserves more credit. If I had a vote, I'd probably still lean toward Jokic because his offensive creativity is just too special to ignore, but I'll always wonder what it would be like to see a defensive specialist get their due in the modern MVP conversation. Maybe someday we'll see a player who combines King's defensive mentality with modern athleticism and actually win the award - now that would be something worth watching.