Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant lists his top three MVP candidates for 2021-22

Originally posted on Game 7 | By Jennifer Withers Hoey | Last updated 3/22/22

Kevin Durant is a two-time champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, one-time regular season MVP and one of the greatest players of all time.

That places him in rarified air.

Because Durant has been so good for so long, and his track record is what it is, he is in the unique position to speak with authority on how others play the game – like when he did when he settled the Michael Jordan vs LeBron James debate once and for all.

And that’s precisely what he did this week.

In a session with the media, Durant revealed who he believed deserved the MVP this year:

“Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Ja Morant for me, those are my top three [for MVP] and I’ll probably go Joel. Jokic, you can throw throw Jokic in there. But I’ll probably go Joel.”

-Sounds like Kevin Durant gives his vote for MVP to Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/755IgFVoMG

— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) March 19, 2022

“Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Ja Morant for me, those are my top three [for MVP] and I’ll probably go Joel,” he said. “Jokic, you can throw Jokic in there. But I’ll probably go Joel.”

Durant also spoke on what it felt like to not be in the running for MVP this year.

“No it’s not frustrating,” Durant said. “I’ve experienced what it’s like to win MVP and that doesn’t validate me as a player. I mean I know what I can do. It’s always great to get some home fans, some hometown love, and for fans to recognize you as one of the best players in the league.

“But nah, I wouldn’t say that I’m pissed off or mad that I got — it’s just part of the game and — but I understand the type of player that I am.”

It will be interesting to see how Durant fares in the playoffs this year, especially given all that happened between him and James Harden. If he wins another title, then obviously he won’t be fretting all that much about his lack of individual honors this season.

Should Brooklyn fail in the postseason once more – then all these little things may begin to wear on Durant a bit more than he may be suggesting right now.

This article first appeared on Game 7 and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: