As the NBA season of 2022 draws to a close, speculation surrounding who will take home the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the NBA Finals is reaching a fever pitch. Many have already weighed in on who they think will be the frontrunner for the award, and the anticipation only continues to build as the games draw closer. In this article, we take a look at the contenders for the 2022 NBA Finals MVP award, and explore why they have a legitimate shot at taking home the trophy.
The Contenders for 2022 NBA Finals MVP
The NBA is full of talented players who have the potential to make a deep run in the playoffs and take home the MVP award. While the list of potential winners is long, the following players stand out as the top contenders for the 2022 NBA Finals MVP:
• LeBron James: LeBron James is a perennial MVP contender, so it should come as no surprise that he is a frontrunner for the 2022 NBA Finals MVP. The Los Angeles Lakers star is averaging 25.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game this season, as well as leading his team to the best record in the Western Conference.
• Stephen Curry: Curry has been having a career year for the Golden State Warriors, and is a legitimate contender for the MVP award. He is averaging 29.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game, and is the driving force behind the Warriors’ success.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Antetokounmpo is another player who has been on a tear this season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game for the Milwaukee Bucks, and his team is in prime position to make a deep run in the playoffs.
• Kawhi Leonard: Leonard is having another stellar season for the Los Angeles Clippers, and is the frontrunner for the MVP award. He is averaging 25.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, and is the primary reason why the Clippers are one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
The Factors That Could Influence the Winner
While all of the aforementioned players have a legitimate shot at winning the MVP award, there are a few factors that could sway the vote in favor of one player or another. The most important factors that could influence the outcome of the MVP vote are:
• Team Success: The team that makes it the furthest in the playoffs will likely have a player that takes home the MVP award. If one of the contenders is on a team that has a deep playoff run, it could be enough to sway the vote in their favor.
• Impact on the Game: The player who has the biggest impact on the game will likely be the one to take home the MVP award. If one of the contenders is able to dominate the opposition and lead their team to victory, it could be enough to sway the vote in their favor.
• Individual Performance: The individual performance of the player is also important when it comes to the MVP award. If one of the contenders is able to put up impressive numbers throughout the playoffs, it could be enough to sway the vote in their favor.
The Prediction
After considering the factors that could influence the vote, it is our prediction that Kawhi Leonard will take home the 2022 NBA Finals MVP award. Leonard has been having a stellar season for the Los Angeles Clippers, and has been the driving force behind their success. He has been putting up impressive numbers throughout the playoffs, and is the primary reason why the Clippers are one of the top teams in the Western Conference. His impact on the game has been undeniable, and it should be enough to sway the vote in his favor.
Conclusion
The 2022 NBA Finals MVP award is sure to be a hotly contested race, with several talented players vying for the coveted trophy. After considering the factors that could influence the vote, it is our prediction that Kawhi Leonard will take home the award. Leonard has been having a stellar season for the Los Angeles Clippers, and his impact on the game has been undeniable. It should be enough to sway the vote in his favor, and make him the 2022 NBA Finals MVP.