5. Nikola Jokic DEN

After a stellar 2018-19 season, "The Joker," as commonly called, is poised for another breakout year. The former second round pick has improved every season in the league; moreover, his team as improved each year too. The Nuggets have found something in their system that other teams in the NBA lack today: continuity. Their major additions have not been made through trades or free agency. They grow their team organically from the NBA Draft, and their player developmental approach has seemed to work excellent. The chemistry of this team will help them contend in the loaded west for years to come, and Jokic will be the center of the team's success.

4. Damian Lillard POR

While the Trailblazers were swept in the Western Conference Finals by the Durant-less Warriors, all anyone can remember from Portland was how they basically ended the Westbrook and George era in OKC and sent them to the re-builder. The person responsible for OKC's death was none other than Damian "Dame Time" Lillard. Similar to Jokic, Lillard's team has remained mostly the same since the end of the 2019 season, which helps with chemistry that will have problems with teams who have restructured themselves this off-season. Lillard will be backed by his new center in Hassan Whiteside, and back-court mate CJ McCollum. If Lillard leads the Blazers to a top 2 team (3rd seed last season) in the stacked west, then he will be receiving many media votes in April.

3. Kawhi Leonard LAC

After one of the greatest playoff runs in history, Kawhi "The Claw" "Fun Guy" "Board Man" "Quite Man" Leonard created the greatest Clippers vs Lakers rivalry ever seen. As Leonard does not talk much in the media, he lets his game speak for him. His free agency this past year was the most covered NBA summer topic. The Clippers will be favorites for a top 2 seed, will feature Kawhi more than new teammate Paul George, and will not have voter fatigues, since this 2 time Finals MVP has never won the KIA MVP. The only thing going against his case will be "load management," a common phrase seen next to the injruy report when playing in Toronto. If Kawhi plays in 75+ Clipper games and leads them to a better record than the Lakers, then expect him to be a favorite for the MVP award.

2. LeBron James LAL

LeBron "King" James chose to take his talents to South Beach in 2010 and join the Miami Heat. After a rocky first season, where they "only" lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, James went on to win his 3rd MVP award and his 1st NBA Championship the next season. When he returned to Cleveland in 2014, he had a bumpy first season back where they "only," again, lost to the Warriors in the 2015 NBA Finals. That next season, Cleveland secured the 1st seed and the 2016 NBA Fianls against the 73-9 Warriors, one of the greatest performances ever. LeBron once again has taken his talents elsewhere, this time to the Los Angeles Lakers. He had such a tumultuous season, he missed the playoffs for the first time since his sophomore season. People started wondering if LeBron was finally on the decline. Was this the last we would see of prime LeBron James?

Narrative alone propels LeBron to the top 5 MVP candidates. Entering his 17th season, James looks to run through the West with Anthony Davis, arguably the best second option he has ever had. LeBron has also historically performed much better in second seasons with teams after adjusting to a new environment. The voter fatigue is not a factor anymore with LeBron, as he was last voted MVP in 2013 with the Miami Heat. If he can play 70+ games, assert his leadership over Anthony Davis, get a top 2 seed, and more importantly, be better than the Clippers, LeBron could be looking at his 5th MVP award.

1. Joel Embiid PHI

One of, if not the most iconic moments of last year's playoffs was Sixers vs Raptors Game 7. 5.1 seconds left on the clock with the score tied. Superstar Kawhi Leonard runs from one corner to the other and throws up a Hail Mary 3 pointer defended by Joel Embiid.

The ball bounces once, twice, 3 times and four times.

Raptors win the series.

Joel Embiid storms to the locker room in disbelief, sadness, and tears.

This summer, Joel "The Process" Embiid's social media profile photo is the view of him crying. He has been absent on social media training and preparing for battle. He has focused 110% of his energy and time to defeat the critics and the rest of the NBA. He has the perfect 2019-2020 KIA MVP resume. His already impressive and comeback narrative is fueled by his massive personality, which might be one of the only things bigger than the 7' 2" center from Kansas. The 76ers are coming off back to back seasons at the 3 seed. With the additions of Al Horford and Josh Richardson, as well as Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Embiid gaining more chemistry, the 76ers are poised to take a top 2 seed in the weaker Eastern Conference. Embiid has also played the backbone of the team. They perform significantly better when he is on the court, and significantly worse when he is absent. He lead the team last season in points, rebounds and blocks. Most importantly, he is one of the most popular superstar athletes who has yet to be in the top 5 of MVP voting. Embiid is in a big sports market in Philadelphia, which will allow him to receive much national media coverage. He is also known as one of the greatest follows on Twitter and Instagram, posting about destroying opponents and trolling haters in a comical way not seen by professional athletes before. An acceptance speech for an MVP award by Joel Embiid would be one of the greatest speeches of all time.