As the NBA playoffs reach the highly anticipated Conference Finals, several star players have the potential to shine and make a significant impact on their teams’ success. Los Angeles Lakers is there in the West to fight against Denver Nuggets. On the other hand, Boston Celtics are standing in the Eastern Conference against Miami Heat to clinch this year’s title. However, the question that comes up is; Who will become the NBA Conference Finals MVP this year? After thorough consideration and statistics, here are six players who could potentially win the NBA Conference Finals MVP trophy. Check Out!
Eastern Conference
1. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics secured the Eastern Conference finals berth with a phenomenal win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the decisive Game 7 of the playoff series. Jayson Tatum exploded with 51 points. However, guard Jaylen Brown played a crucial role by making up plays for Tatum and also scoring 25 points in the process. His postseason average stands at 24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He also joined Kevin McHale to become the only player in the renowned history of the franchise to have scored at least 24 points on 54% shooting or better in a single postseason. Brown also stands fifth in the most points scored in NBA postseason list. Hence, all these accolades make Brown a probable candidate for the MVP trophy.
2. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler is indeed the heart of the Miami Heat. In the past nine of the ten postseason games, the forward has managed to put at least 20 points on board, which helped the Heat secure a final berth in the east. His average is as high as 31.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. However, to clinch the MVP trophy, Butler has to outperform the mighty Celtics, especially Jayson Tatum, who is roaring with one of the best postseason outings of his career.
3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum‘s candidature for the East MVP trophy is a no-brainer. He gave the NBA MVP of the year, Joel Embiid, a run for his money in the final game of the second playoff series. The forward exploded with 51 points to take his team to the finals of the Easter Conference. While his postseason average is low compared to the other two candidates, Tatum is the player to watch out for in the finals. The forward has already elevated his chances after Game 7 against the 76ers. As a result, Jayson Tatum remains the ideal candidate to receive the MVP award for the East Conference finals.
Western Conference
1. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Power forward Anthony Davis has been the backbone of the Los Angeles Lakers not just for the postseason but also for the regular season. His extraordinary defensive plays have made him a standout player. Again, his postseason average is as low as 21.2 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. However, AD has made a difference with his defense and has mostly focused on blocking rather than scoring. Davis’ competition would be the mighty Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets. However, the forward is likely to outperform everybody with his standout all-round performance.
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
The list is incomplete without mentioning the leading point scorer of the NBA, LeBron James. James had arguably one of the toughest seasons of his career so far. The veteran had to battle constant injuries and keep up with the competition from the next generation. However, the 38-year-old fought his heart out and brought his team from 13th to all the way up to the Western Conference Finals. He is coming off a 30-point game and is well-rested to take on Denver Nuggets. Hence, LeBron James also becomes the ideal candidate for the West finals MVP trophy.
3. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, will pose a big threat to the Los Angeles Lakers. He is averaging 30.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. Jokic is in great form and will lead the Nugget’s final campaign. The center forward faced a setback the last time he met the Lakers in the West finals in 2020. However, he is much stronger and in prime form this time around. Hence, Jokic from the Nuggets could cause an upset and clinch the finals MVP.
