In the first round of the 2022 playoff series, four teams have so far emerged, and the US media has selected the MVP ranking so far in the playoffs:
1. Jason Tatum (Celtic)
The Boston Celtics swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs, thanks in large part to Tatum, who has become an unquestioned superstar in the playoffs and beat former MVP Durant in the series, averaging 29.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists in four games, containing Durant in defense. There is no doubt that Tatum has the ability to lead the Celtics to the championship.
2. Jimmy Butler (Heat)
The Heat beat the Hawks 4-1 in the first round to advance, and although Butler missed game 5, JB averaged 30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 54.3 percent shooting from 43.8 percent three-point range in four games. Not only did Butler control the offense, but the defense was also brilliant, making Trae Young look mediocre and not the All-Star of the season. If Butler can maintain this level, the Heat will be very scary for other opponents in the East.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Alphabet averaged 27.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, seven assists and 1.8 blocks in the first round, and his impact on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends is still unmatched. Alphabet Brother is omnipotent at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, just like the modern version of O'Neal. The Bucks and Celtics will meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and the collision between Alphabet Brother and Durant will be the most interesting contest in the playoffs.
4. Jaylen Brunson (Lone Ranger)
Currently, the player with the highest total score in the 2022 NBA playoffs is Jaylen 0 Brunson, with 143 points. The Lone Rangers are currently leading the Jazz 3-2, and Brunson has averaged 28.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in the first five games, shooting 34.5 percent from three-point range, firmly in the Lone Rangers' second-in-command position. Brunson scored 24, 41 and 31 points in the first three games Doncic missed, including 41 of which were career-highs and has now scored 20+ points in five consecutive playoff games. This season happens to be Brunson's contract year, and with his excellent performance in the playoffs, Brunson's value will undoubtedly skyrocket.
5. Chris Paul (Sun)
Paul has averaged 20.2 points, 12 assists and 4.2 rebounds in his first five games, and paul is the only player in the playoffs this season to assist in doubles every game. With Devon Booker out of three games, Paul led the Suns to an aggregate 3-2 lead.
6. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Despite a spectacular performance in the regular season, Jokic was eliminated by the Warriors 1-4 in the first round. Jokic averaged 31 points in five games, the highest average in the playoffs so far, and has 13.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 57.5 percent shooting. With healthy Michael Potter and Jamal Murray next season, jokic will have more helpers to make a difference in the playoffs.
7. Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
No other player in the playoffs except Paul can be the master of organization like Ingram, and Ingram and the Pelicans are likely to be beaten by the Suns, but he still does everything he can to help the Pelicans win, and Ingram has averaged 28.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 48.5% shooting 42.9% three-point shooting in the first five games. If Ingram had Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum helped, the series would have a dozen with the Suns. This year's playoffs took Ingram to a new level, proving himself to be a high-level player.
8. Joel Embiid (76ers)
Embiid averaged 24.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his first five games and hit a deadly three-pointer. The 76ers were chased by the Raptors twice in a row in a 3-0 situation, the 76ers could not be careless, Embiid had a finger injury, and even so, as a leading player, the Emperor urgently needed to play a role.
9. Jordan Poole (Warriors)
A bit surprising, the Warriors' best performer in the playoffs was Jordan Poole, who averaged 21 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 54.8 percent shooting and 48.4 percent three-point shooting in the first round of the series. Poole's performance was important for the Warriors' playoffs this season, and although Curry has recovered, Poole actually replaced Curry as a starter in the playoffs. In the next few rounds of the series, we will wait and see if Poole can maintain this strength when the Warriors are understaffed.
10. Stephen Curry (Warriors)
Curry has been back and forth since returning from injury, with the former MVP averaging 28 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game in the Nuggets series, shooting 50 percent from the field and shooting 40.4 percent from three-point range. Now that the Warriors are aiming for championships, with helpers such as Poole, Klay Thompson and Drummond Green, the Warriors' championship dream is not unrealistic. Whether the Warriors can win the championship will ultimately depend on the team's most important player, Curry.
11. Jaylen Brown (Celtics) 12.DeAndre Ayton (Suns) 13.Pascal Siakam (Raptors) 14.Jay Morant (Grizzlies) 15.Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)