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[F Gump]

Agreed. But Luka has to win a title first before he gets real serious consideration for MVP. All the others you named have done so.

Not true in the least for the 1st MVP. And maybe for 2. Scanning the last 15 years or so ...

Giannis won TWO titles before winning MVP.

As did Jokic. TWO.

LBJ won TWO before skipping town and trying for a title elsewhere.

Nash won TWO and never won a title.

Embiid has won MVP with no title. As has Harden. And Westbrook. Durant's MVP was with OKC, before he skipped town to glom onto GS title-winners. Rose has never won a title. Dirk's was before winning a title.

If you have a great year and look like you WILL likely win a title one day, and especially if that's maybe this year, that seems to be enough for the 1st MVP. That was the context for Curry's 1st MVP. And that sort of promise is maybe enough to get 2.

But when it gets to being awarded 3, it seems to be a different ballgame. Not only must you win a title for that level, but history shows voters expect multiple titles to be placed on that level, because that's really the upper pantheon of the NBA.