The 2020 - 2021 NBA Season is almost over, which means the NBA Playoffs are near. And, so are the Individual NBA Awards. These individual awards hold big prestige, even with such a metric that measures the regular season heavily. This NBA Season’s frontrunners are indeed revolutionizing the game while giving their most valuable effort to lead their teams to victory.

There are different metrics to consider when looking for an MVP, their individual stats, their team’s record, have they been available for their team to rely on, or they have been sitting through injuries. Do NBA players like the Joker, Embiid, the Greek Freak, CP3, and Chef Curry ring a bell? Let’s discuss.

Care for a glass or 2 of any of Boozy’s top whisky? Here are 5 of Boozy’s best whiskies paired with these 5 frontrunner MVP candidates:

1. Nikola Jokic x The Glenlivet 12yo 700ml

Filling up the stat sheet has been a normal day in the office for Nikola Jokic as he leads the now ‘Jamal Murray-less’ Nuggets in the Western Conference. It’s no surprise that the Joker is the frontrunner for the MVP considering what he has done the whole year while being able to lead the team to victories. Over the last 2 weeks, their team has won 7 out of their last 10 games and has improved to the 3rd seed of the Western Conference with an overall standing of 44 wins and 22 losses. Now, how does filling up the stat sheet look like? Jokic averages 26.3 points per game, 10.9 rebounds per game, and 8.5 assists per game this year and is showing no signs of slowing down as the Nuggets gun for a higher seed in the playoffs. 

Photo from @theglenlivet 

Well-balanced and fruity with strong pineapple notes, the delicate and complex character of the 12 Year Old derives from the height and width of stills at The Glenlivet Distillery. Maturation in American oak imparts vanilla notes and gives the whisky its distinct smoothness.

Much like the Joker’s revolutionizing style of play, the complexity just makes it better and it may just lead him to his first NBA MVP award.

2. Joel Embiid x Tenjaku Japanese Whisky 700ml

Before anything, we have to look back at some of the adjustments the Philadelphia 76ers made this season. They brought in 1x Champion Coach in Doc Rivers, who made it clear since the beginning of the season that Embiid is their main guy. This meant that Ben Simmons will be playing the role of filling in for the little things they miss, putting Simmons as one of the frontrunners of the DPOY as well. Embiid is averaging 29.0 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game while the 76ers sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with 45 wins and 21 losses. Could we be crowning a new King in the East?

Photo from @tenjaku_japan

Much like how the 76ers carefully selected Embiid in the NBA Draft, the Tenjaku Japanese Whisky is carefully selected from unprocessed whiskies and natural spring water to create this distinctive whisky. A process indeed!

A gift from the land that surrounds Mt. Fuji, home to the finest natural spring water. Tasting notes consist of clear amber, faint smoky accent with a sweet aroma, redolent of pear, and dried fruit. The palate is a slightly edgy attack with a slightly spicy finish, but well-rounded and mellow. 

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo x Monkey Shoulder 700ml

It is fitting to see the reigning MVP of the NBA here on the list as well. The ‘Greek Freak’ currently has led the Milwaukee Bucks to win 6 out of their last 10 games, bumping their team up to 40 wins and 24 losses. Followed by his 2 recent big games against the Brooklyn Nets, 2 of those games that the Bucks won were led by Giannis. It is slowly getting convincing again to see the ‘Greek Freak’ win his 3rd straight MVP this year.

Photo from @monkeyshoulder

Monkey Shoulder, the superb blended malt whisky from William Grant, is made with single malts from three famous Speyside distilleries. It can be enjoyed neat, over ice, or in a whisky cocktail (where it really excels). Much like Giannis’ balanced game style offering just the right amount of playmaking and superb inside scoring ability, Monkey Shoulder offers just the right superb blend you look for in a whisky, giving you a result that is smooth, creamy, supple, and very malty for a Scotch.

4. Chris Paul x Jim Beam White 750ml

Word on the street is that wherever Chris Paul goes, his new team gets better than it did the previous year that they did not have him in the lineup. While having a Steve Nash-like year in his first year with the Suns, CP3 fit right in with a familiar coach and 2 co-stars in Devin Booker and De’Andre Ayton to gel the team’s championship culture. Currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference, could this be the first year we witness a CP3 MVP year?

Photo from @jimbeamofficial

Much like CP3’s game that gets better the longer he stays in the leagues, the years of aging in new charred American white oak barrels provide an elegant and refined bourbon drink. This is the World’s Number 1 selling bourbon distilled in Kentucky, USA. Is it CP3’s turn at the top as the MVP?

5. Stephen Curry x Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve 750ml

The Golden State Warriors started with the unfortunate news of Klay Thompson’s season-ending injury, which meant more possessions, a lot more shot opportunities, and more playmaking on his end. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for Curry as he averages 31.5 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 5.7 assists per game. In the last weeks, he also averaged 36.3 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. However, what will hurt his case this year is if the league looks to award to a higher seed. The Warriors are still fighting for the 8th Seed of the Western Conference.

Photo from @johnniewalkerus

Steph Curry is a classic, you will always remember him for his outside scoring. When it comes to one-of-a-kind drinks, the Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve is one of the world's most classic whiskies. With hints of maple syrup, spice, and creamy vanilla, this whisky also has an inherent smokiness. 

There we go, NBA’s MVP Candidate frontrunners for the year. Grab your Whiskies from our collection page and let the discussion run through!