The fifth spot was another tough choice. Jalen Brunson is the beating heart of a Knicks offense that has been a force this season and he could well be No. 5 on my board, but the defensive concerns and credit for that offense also going to Karl-Anthony Towns bumped Brunson down one spot in my book to sixth. By the end of the season, this may flip.

The Canadian guard is averaging 31.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. That phenomenal play, coupled with the team success of the Thunder, catapulted Gilgeous-Alexander to the top of the KIA NBA MVP Ladder this week.

Nikola Jokić, averaging 31.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and shooting 55.4%, delivered back-to-back 40-point games against Victor Wembanyama, who is an MVP contender and Defensive Player of the Year favorite.