The NBA playoffs only highlight the gap that has often arisen between the regular-season MVP and the top performers of the decisive stages. Joel Embiid (the current winner), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shea Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the top-one leaders have crashed.
Meanwhile Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler are starring, perhaps on the way to the Finals. We compared, and we brought proof. Three other names here to 12th in the vote. Only two — Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic — are high on the list.