Jalen Brunson has been quietly making a case recently for the NBA MVP

With only about three weeks left of the regular season, the award season is starting to heat up for the NBA. As of right now the three players leading the MVP race is Nikola Jokic on the Denver Nuggets, Shai Gilqeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. However, Jalen Brunson on the Knicks has been quietly making a case to be added to the conversation.  

First, let's look at the usually criteria for the MVP. Usually it centers around being the best player on the best team, having the best statistical season, and the player with the best narrative. You could argue that Brunson has checked all of these boxes for the MVP award.

Right now the Knicks are 41-28 which is the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and 10th best overall. Record wise they aren't the best team, however they have been very injured this season having to play without guys like Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, and Jalen Brunson himself for different stretches of this season. When they were at their healthiest in January they were 14-2 beating some really good teams in that stretch and playing like the best team in basketball behind their leader in Brunson. During that stretch Brunson averaged just under 29 points per game with 7.7 assist per game and shot 50% from the field.  

Brunson may not have the flashy scoring ability that Shai and Doncic give on a night to night basis, and he may not be giving you or almost averaging a triple double every game that shouldn't knock him for having an incredible season this year. He is averaging 27.5 points per game with 6.5 assist and is shooting almost 48 percent from the field and is shooting 40 percent from three.  

What really separates him from the top contenders is that he is shooting the ball from three better than the top contenders for MVP as a high volume shooter. He has been very good with the ball in his hands posting the lowest turnover percentage of the group aside from Shai, but has passed him in the assist percentage. Also, since January if you look at scoring per 100 possessions he has right up there with the likes of Shai and Doncic.

Finally, a guy when signed for the Knicks thought they were overpaying for a guy, and has constantly proven that wrong, too now were he is considered to be underpaid. He has improved every year and he has the stats and the record to back up his case for MVP and should be given more recognition from the media for the incredible season he has had. He may not end the year in the top three but he has the resume this year to be in the conversation for the top three spots.