PASS OR SHOOT: The MVP Race, World Beaters and The Clipped Show

I’ve missed this. 

It’s time for some Pass and Shoot. A lot has happened this season that deserves some attention. But its best to focus on what’s hot right now as the postseason looms.

Does Jokic deserve another MVP? Is there an unbeatable team? Is the hype real about the Clippers? 

Time to find out. 

Nikola Jokic is the MVP…Again 

PASS 

Listen, this MVP race is tough. Trying to decide between Joel Embiid, Jokic, Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo ain’t easy — and it shouldn’t be — because they’ve all been great. But anointing Jokic MVP is lazy and a cop out. 

Right now, it’s Tatum who deserves the nod because he has taken his game to another level to carry his team. Either him or the snubbed Joel Embiid. 

Jokic just got his full team back  so they better be at atop the west. The same can be said for Giannis. 

Embiid and Tatum legitimately look different this year. For Tatum though, you’ve got a feeling this isn’t all he can do — that there’s more. I can’t wait to see it. 

So voters, stop being lazy and give those guys their flowers now. It’ll make for a better league in the future. 

The Nuggets and Bucks are invincible 

PASS 

Get outta here with that. Although the Nuggets and Bucks top each of their respective conferences and are favorites to win it all, they could be going home early if they get the wrong matchup. If I’m Milwaukee, I don’t want to see Miami too early. And for Denver, not the Warriors, Mavericks or Lakers. 

It’s truly anybody’s year — kind of like in the bubble. I’m not going go off and say the Sacramento Kings are going to win it all this year. I do, however, feel it’s more difficult to choose a victor. 

The Clippers are less threatening 

SHOOT 

This team doesn’t scare me like it used to since the addition of Russell Westbrook.

To speak plainly, you can’t trust ‘em. Too much load management, their stars get injured too much and their chemistry just doesn’t seem to be there. I want so bad for them to win and move on from being the Lakers’ little brother to an actual rival.  Every year, though, it’s something that  stops them from getting there. 

At this point, it’s exhausting. If they win it all, I won’t be shocked. If they are tossed in the first round, I won’t be shocked. 

Good thing Steve Ballmer doesn’t have any hair.