Why Trae Young Should Win the 2022 NBA MVP Award
As we approach the final stretch of the regular season, a select few members of the national media begin making up their minds on prestigious league awards. Their individual decision process is equally thoughtful and careful. Who am I kidding, many media members hold the same petty grievances as the most ardent fans - except they vote on awards that write history books and dictate players' incentive-laden contracts.
I'm not sure of many things in life, but what I can promise you is that Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young will not receive a single vote for the 2022 NBA Most Valuable Player Award. But that doesn't mean he shouldn't walk away with the trophy. Young's game defies long-held beliefs and norms, so the voting process should reflect that fact.
There are a handful of worthy MVP candidates this season, and I'm going to let you finish but Young is the most valuable player. It's just time to rethink the criteria for winning the league's most vaunted individual award.
Debunking MVP Myths
Record
Age
Playoffs
Stats
As I wrote back in December, I believe 2021 was Young's villain origin story. But 2022 should be the year the 23-year-old begins to receive his flowers. Young has dragged his team through the season all the way to the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference. No other player in the league is producing offense at this rate, and there is certainly no player more valuable to his team.
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