StatMan - Episode #68: Why the 2020 NBA MVP Is Over

The 2020 NBA MVP is over and in this episode I will explain in detail why. Regardless of what criteria we use Giannis is the winner by a mile.

Sometimes in the NBA award landscape, there is simply no need for debate. When one preeminent superstar soars above his contemporaries in such a convincing manner, those covering the league aren’t required to spend March and April fabricating a close battle.

Looking back to 2016, the only argument worth having was determining second-place. Stephen Curry completed an unprecedented season, winning 89.9% of the games he appeared in (71-8) while averaging 30 points and joining the 50-40-90 club. It led to the first unanimous decision. This was after Curry already breezed through the 2014-15 season, capturing his first MVP in another blowout vote.

Overall, the outside perception of a close race hasn’t mattered in the end. There is usually one candidate that separates himself, whether that’s in January or during a late-season push.

Since the voting process is on a points-based system, with fewer points awarded to those who finish lower on the five-player ballot, the results rarely indicate a close competition. Over the last six seasons, the average proportion of first-place votes landed by the MVP winner has been 84.3%, with the lowest being Westbrook’s 2017 victory – which was still a meaningful margin. The average gap in total points between first and second place has been 301, with the smallest being the 2017 race (135).

Whether it’s because of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s location in a small-market, LeBron’s longevity, or the slightly stronger Western Conference, this strange idea of the 2020 MVP being a “tough choice” has surfaced and I find it laughable.

Like I said in the initial statement; however you want to view this, Giannis is the runaway winner BUT...

You'll Also LearnWhat criteria I use if I voted for the NBA MVPMajor League Baseball MVP voting systemThings we can do to fix the NBA MVP voting system

2. Resources

StatMuse NBAMilwaukee Bucks Advanced StatsLos Angeles Lakers Advanced Stats

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