THE current season of the National Basketball League is in full swing, and despite the COVID-related interruptions, fans have been treated to a high quality of action thus far. There have been cracking contests and impressive individual performances to start the NBL22 campaign, and there looks set to be plenty more moving forward.

In this article, we take a look at two of the potential favourites for this season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with two months of the season in the book. While there are some new faces emerging as some of the competition’s best, it is the familiar faces that have dominated the headlines so far this season. With just a few months of the season remaining, expect this race to heat up as the battle for a postseason appearance gets more interesting by the week.

*Note: This list is in no particular order*

Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats)

It would be remiss of us not to mention the reigning MVP in this year’s race, and while it may seem a ‘vanilla’ selection, it is simply impossible to ignore the impact of the 29-year-old. Since entering the league, Cotton has been undeniably the best player throughout this time, and appears to have no intentions of giving up this title in his sixth season with the Wildcats.

Despite a less-than-convincing start to the season both individually and as a team, Cotton and the Wildcats have been able to get things rolling once again, as they look to make amends for last season’s grand final loss (all of which Cotton missed with injury). Perth currently hold a 5-1 record from their six games and have once again cemented themselves as a championship favourite, as they do every season. Their record sees them at the top of the standings, and they look unlikely to slow down from here.

Much of this work is due to the impressive performance of Cotton so far this season, with the guard continuing to take full advantage of being in the prime of his career. So far, Cotton is averaging a league-high 24.5 points per game and 4.67 assists per game, producing a number of match-winning performances. He has combined well with new teammate Victor Law, with the pair proving the best duo in the league so far this season. Cotton has plenty in his favour when it comes to claiming a third consecutive MVP award.

Mitch Creek (South East Melbourne Phoenix)

It has been hard to ignore the impressive play of Creek to start the season, with the forward leading the Phoenix to second spot on the ladder. Over the opening handful of games, Creek was the clear MVP favourite, and has maintained this form moving forward.

The Phoenix were widely predicted to be one of the favourites heading into the 2021-22 season, and have certainly lived up to this expectation. Behind the remarkable offensive work of Creek, the Phoenix have won three of their first four games, and are currently one of the most intimidating teams in the competition. They have proven incredibly difficult to overcome, and are expected to be a prominent force when the postseason rolls around in a few months’ time.

Creek has been able to do it all so far in his NBL22 campaign, especially when he has the ball in his hands. Despite a decorated NBL career to date, Creek is enjoying a career-best season, producing some whopping totals over his opening games. His highlights have included setting the record for most points by a Phoenix player with 36, and his posterizing dunk over Melbourne United’s Matthew Dellavedova, with the footage of this going viral. If the Phoenix can maintain their winning ways, there is no reason why Creek can’t see himself holding the season MVP trophy come season’s end.