Wembanyama's stranglehold on MVP spot makes one thing crystal clear

The NBA's latest MVP rankings just dropped, and the order goes as follows: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Maxey, Alperen Sengun, and Donovan Mitchell. So, I guess Wemby and the Spurs have made true believers out of more observers, and we're here for it.

Wemby's impact on this team is undeniable even when he's out

Getting injured can and should impact your odds of winning end-of-season awards, but how much can differ based on factors usually outside the player's control. Let me explain: if Nikola Jokic were injured and his team kept winning, I believe it would negatively impact his MVP chances more than it does Vic's.

The reason for that is that the expectations for him and his team are different. He's seen as the hub. An all-time great gets the credit for his team playing so well, but when he misses time and they continue to win, it lessens his candidacy in the eyes of the voters.

But when a team that everyone had lower expectations for overachieves, they look for the why, and Wembanyama is the obvious candidate for that. His story thus far boosts his credibility for that opinion. He entered the league with unbridled focus, delivering strong quotes, uplifting his team, and pushing for a change to the losing culture that had crept into San Antonio and made a home for over half a decade.

De'Aaron Fox's addition was looked at controversially. Some believed he was a perfect fit, but others said he wasn't a winning player. There were suggestions that the team should trade some of their guards or wings because they weren't good enough. So, why are they winning now? Why are they good enough all of a sudden? Wembanyama's mere presence is going to get the benefit of the doubt when those questions are asked.

This isn't about right and wrong, either. Tyrese Maxey might think that it's unfair to see Wemby's name above his because he's been on an absolute heater this season, and the 76ers are nowhere without him. But a fair is a place where people eat cotton candy, ride Ferris wheels, and play rigged games. In sports, nothing is better than a good story, and Wemby has the best one.

He's the Alien. He was sidelined with a blood clot last year after his legendary head coach was lost for the year, and he came back with a vengeance. His team overachieved and made the playoffs outright after many considered them a play-in team at best at the start of the season.

If it plays out like that and Wembanyama plays enough games, he can still win this award, and he'll have earned it because his narrative is based on a true story.