5 Dark Horse NBA MVP Candidates

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) pats his chest prior to action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.

If you weren’t paying attention, the Greek Freak almost had an MVP-worthy season, helping guide the Bucks to their first playoff appearance in two years last spring. Averaging career highs in points (22.9), rebounds (8.8), assists (5.4), blocks (1.9), and steals (1.6), Antetokounmpo made the leap from player on the brink of blowing up to a bonafide superstar. His numbers have significantly improved from year to year in every one of his four seasons and if he manages to get his 3-point percentage to a respectable 35 percent (instead of his career 27.7 mark) and help the Bucks earn one of the higher seeds in the East, then why can’t the 22-year-old steal it from LeBron or Westbrook? —A.C. 

Who has more to prove this upcoming season than Kyrie Irving? He demanded a trade, he got it, now it’s time for him to prove to the world that he can be a true point guard. He has MVP talent but has been overshadowed by the giant that is LeBron James the last several years. 2017 was frustrating for Irving; not only were the Cavs severely overmatched in the Finals, Kyrie became the first player in history to average 25 ppg and five apg and not lead his team in either category. He also had to watch the Brinks truck back up for guys like Russell Westbrook and John Wall. Luckily for him, the Celtics had the best assets to offer the Cavs for his services. Finally, he’ll be able to ball with the sun in his face for one of the game’s most successful franchises. He’ll be faced with more pressure than ever before, though, as it’s always championship or bust in Boston. Kyrie might put up 30 a game. —A.D.

Last year, at 26, Paul George may have had the best season of his NBA career. He posted career-highs in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, free-throw percentage and scoring, as well as his second-highest PER. Yet he didn’t receive a single MVP vote. Part of this was because of the historic seasons had by others, part of this was because his Indiana Pacers finished with just 42 wins. Now, teamed with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, George will be tasked with taking a 47-win team to the next plateau. He’ll be playing at a faster pace, with an all-world point guard. Forget just getting MVP votes, why can’t he just win the damn thing? —R.B. 

Karl-Anthony Towns was taken No. 1 overall by the Timberwolves in 2015, and when he became the unanimous Rookie of the Year, it proved he was exactly who they thought he was. Last season the 21-year-old one-upped himself, surpassing Kevin Love to set a franchise record for points in a season, and becoming the only player in the league to average at least 25 ppg, 12 rpg, and earn a 25.9 PER.

But that wasn’t good enough. He admitted he felt “disrespected” when he wasn’t named All-NBA, and he conceded the snub might have been due in part to the T-Wolves’ losing record. Going into his third year with a monstrous chip on his shoulders, a mentor in 2004 MVP Kevin Garnett, and a new weapon named Jimmy Butler who will help raise the level of play in Minnesota, KAT has a legitimate chance at being MVP—no matter what the odds may say. —D.R. 

The best point guard in the East isn’t Kyrie Irving or Isaiah Thomas. There I said it. We like John Wall and to see the Wizards' floor general getting this kind of disrespect from Vegas oddsmakers is a little surprising. At age 27, he’s about to enter the beginning of his prime and if you watched him down the stretch of last season and in the playoffs, taking the Celtics to a seventh game in the Eastern Conference semis, then you know Wall has all the tools. Yes, the 3-point shooting could be a little better, but when you have Bradley Beal and Otto Porter ready to spot up on the wing, you dish it and let them swish it. The Wizards should be one of the top three teams in the East. If Wall balls out and can lead them to superb regular season and a top two seed in the conference he'll deserve serious consideration. —A.C.