Quick look at what it has taken to knock out an MVP of the playoffs over the last 20 years: Some items of note: 4 of the last 20 MVPs won it all 2 MVPs have been knocked out in the first round Dirk '07, Westbrook '17 5 MVPs have been knocked out by a team with only 1 or less all-stars 1 MVP has not been on a 1 or 2 seed Only 1 team has knocked out an MVP as a 6 seed or less Golden State '07 with zero all-stars or future HOF's. Knocking out Jokic with only one all-star and as a 6 seed would be abnormal, but an MVP being a 3 seed is also abnormal.
Where do you think Jokic ranks amongst the last 20 MVPs? Probably in the bottom 3 or so. We have an MVP-level player ourselves. C.J. is very capable of playing at the same level as all-stars. Same with Nurk. We should be favored.
I would probably agree with your first bullet point, but it's subjective. I don't assign MVP or All-Star status to people who have had a large sample size without that distinction to their name. I've been very consistent on this. We're not favored, but gun to my head, I'd pick up to win
If the Nuggets entire team was healthy and we were without our 2nd leading scorer, I'm guessing the Nuggets would be favored. They are without their 2nd leading scorer and have a couple other guys possibly coming back from injury. It seems Portland should be favored.....and if not, they really aren't very good.
Opened underdogs, but the gap is closing... Even money here. While there are some here who would have argued from open night we had a more talented roster than Denver, this doesn't really support such an argument. With Murray and w/out CJ, we would be heavy underdogs.
