2022 NBA Finals MVP: Ranking the Top 5 Finals MVP Candidates After Three Games
2022 NBA Finals MVP: Ranking the Top 5 Finals MVP Candidates After Three Games
The NBA Finals is three games in, with the Celtics ahead 2-1, and we’ve got a good idea of who might win the Finals MVP award. Let’s rank the top 5 candidates to win the award starting with number 5.
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5. Klay Thompson (+15000) (Bet $100 to win $15000)
Klay doesn’t have the fifth-best odds to win Finals MVP, I have him ranked fifth for a variety of reasons over Marcus Smart. First off, narrative matters and Klay fits that mold more than most players in the finals. After two major injuries, Klay is back and starting for a title-contending team. He also holds the second-best odds for Warriors players, so if the Warriors win the championship, he will have a very solid case.
4. Al Horford (+5000) (Bet $100 to win $5000)
Horford is similar to Klay in the aspect of having a very, very solid narrative around winning the award. Horford held the record for most playoff games played without making the finals. Not only did Horford make the finals, but he was also a big part of the Celtics making the finals with great defense and huge scoring games. The narrative is set and if the veteran can have some explosive games as he did in earlier rounds, there’s no reason Horford shouldn’t be close to voting for the award.
3. Jaylen Brown (+350) (Bet $100 to win $350)
Brown has been consistently solid in these playoffs and has bailed Tatum out for some bad shooting games. Earlier in his career, Brown and Tatum’s situation was unclear as both players had the potential to be the main guy on the team. It’s been established that Tatum is definitely the main guy for the Celtics. Although playing Robin to Tatum’s Batman, Brown has excelled in his role, finding ways to provide sparks and be consistent when his team may be struggling.
2. Stephen Curry (+205) (Bet $100 to win $205)
Not much needs to be said to explain Curry’s case for Finals MVP. The best shooter of all time, a three-time champion, Conference Finals MVP, etc… Curry will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and has been insanely good this season. He’s willed an inexperienced team with some exception, battled through many injuries, and took them to the three seed. Curry has also never won a Finals MVP, despite winning three championships and two regular-season MVPs. He should be the favorite to win the award, should the Warriors make a comeback down 2-0.
1. Jayson Tatum (+105) (Bet $100 to win $105)
As mentioned earlier, Tatum is the guy on a team that’s knocked off many, many tough challenges to get his squad to the Finals. He’s elevated his defense in his career while scoring at an elite level. Tatum has gotten his team past Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Nets, the defending champions in the Bucks, and the top-seeded Heat all in these playoffs, while, ignoring a few duds of games, has been consistently great. Tatum is averaging 22.0 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds through three Finals games. If the Celtics win, Tatum will automatically lead the Finals MVP conversation as he’s the top guy for the Celtics.
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