ESPN analyst Doris Burke discusses the MVP race in the NBA, highlighting Jayson Tatum's position as a fringe contender this season. Tatum currently ranks fourth in MVP odds, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Burke emphasizes that MVP selection criteria extend beyond scoring averages to include players' impact on the game and their ability to elevate teammates. She believes Gilgeous-Alexander is the leading MVP candidate, with Jokic close behind, and expresses her frustrations regarding the competitive nature of the current MVP race.
"In fact, a month ago, I was saying to Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson I'm a little frustrated that this race doesn't seem closer than it is. Now, Jokic's play over that span has closed the gap."
"First of all, you're looking at level of impact on the course of the game and I don't just mean that in terms of scoring... How much do they raise the level of the people around them?"
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