![Oct 24, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings] at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1873f27578f6213b44ddf490f0a246e29830e219c44d99db36131be80428fb6e.jpg "Oct 24, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings] at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports")
The MVP race is wide-open
Before we dive into Stephen Curry’s brilliance, let us survey the field and figure out who are the top competitors for the MVP award.
Nikola Jokic
The reigning MVP is certainly in the discussion. Jokic put up 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists last season as he thrust the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs despite his partner in crime, Jamal Murray, being sidelined.
Jokic is off to a red-hot start once again but few analysts have picked him to win the award this year. He was also a less popular pick for the award last season despite genuinely being the best regular season player. Could voter fatigue and popularity cause Jokic to falter in the race this time?
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Speaking of voter fatigue, Giannis has already racked up two MVP awards and was absent from the top three last year despite posting pretty much the same statistics he did in his first two runs.
With the potential for a championship hangover to loom over the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis will not be the favorite to win the award.
The others
Other names like Damian Lillard, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Kevin Durant and Luka Doncic will have a chance to compete for this award, as well. But, with no clear favorite, there is no reason Curry can not rise above the pack.