1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
The Next Five: Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James.
Your logic falls apart when you look at Embiid who still hasn’t left the second round and continuously puts up worse stats in the playoffs.
Well it was only last season when people actually looked at his playoffs stats and realised that they sucked. Even then the last 2 seasons were especially bad. But in the regular season his stats were amazing and he got his team a good record.
Still he did consistently get to the 2nd round. Add to it that the man campaigbed for it, while Jokic bowed out of the competition althogether.
Bow the playoffs arent really a major +, but its rare for someone to get the award without at least making the playoffs.