'The hottest player in the League': MVP race splits the experts

Three rounds into NBL27, the MVP race already has the experts divided.

Kendric Davis has quietly gone about his business with the Kings playing just three games, all in Sydney. Meanwhile, another point guard has staked a legitimate claim: Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

On NBL Overtime, Damon Lowery and Derek Rucker were split.

Jackson-Cartwright has Lowery's vote, for now, after a dominant start to the year.

"As of today, Parker Jackson-Cartwright's the MVP of the League," he said.

He was quick to add a caveat, though, saying "it's only been five games" and sticking with his Davis tip come season's end.

Jackson-Cartwright has the numbers to back it up, averaging 26.6 points, 9.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds. He fell a rebound short of a triple-double in Sunday's 88-72 win over Adelaide, with 27 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds as New Zealand improved to 3-2.

Lowery said improved shooting had made him even harder to stop.

"He's now added the reliable three ball to his game. He's always been a little bit streaky, whereas now he's becoming deadly," he said.

Yet teammate DJ Vasiljevic believes Jackson-Cartwright still doesn't get the credit he deserves.

"I don't think he gets the recognition because he's over in New Zealand," Vasiljevic said after Sunday's win.

"If he was playing on any other team, all the media would be loving him. But just because he's across the Tasman, he doesn't get that recognition."

Rucker was full of praise for the Breakers star too.

"What I love about Parker is that he dictates tempo better than any point guard in the competition," he said.

"And also he is able to take Gordon Herbert's plan, his mindset, his thought process into a game and apply it. And that's why right now he may be the hottest player in the League."

But asked who leads the way right now, Rucker was pointed.

"Right now, because of the Kings' success, Kendric Davis," he said.

"And the thing about Kendric, Kendric hasn't even put his foot down yet.

"He has not been required to go yet. Wait till he's required to go. There's scope for him in terms of increased usage. And he's thirsty for that MVP, man."

The numbers support Rucker's case. Davis is averaging 27.0 points, 6.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds for the unbeaten Kings, and is doing it in just 30.8 minutes a game.

It isn't a two-horse race. Melbourne United's Cole Anthony dropped 40 points on Saturday night, and Rucker believes there's more to come.

"He should have had 51, 52 points. He got off to an 0 for 6 start," he said. "He's going to get a 50 piece before Thanksgiving."

Six-time MVP Bryce Cotton is always in the mix. Despite Adelaide's 2-3 start and injuries to Flynn Cameron and Isaac Humphries, Cotton is averaging 25.0 points and 6.6 assists, including 37 in his 300th game against Perth.

Lowery said opposition teams had taken a new approach to stopping him.

"Teams are making a concerted effort to get the ball out of his hands and not let him get it back. I haven't seen it like this before," he said.

In Perth, Elijah Pepper has posted three straight 25-point games during the Wildcats' three-game winning streak. Teammate Kristian Doolittle is averaging 17.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists.

Tasmania's Will Magnay is averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.8 blocks for the 3-1 JackJumpers, and has impressed Rucker at the defensive end.

"Will Magnay has returned to being the dominant defensive big man in the competition," Rucker said on Moments That Mattered.

Taran Armstrong, Nick Rakocevic and Arnas Velička are also among those knocking on the door.

With the season still in its infancy, there's plenty of time for the race to take shape. As Lowery put it, it's only been five games, and for Davis, only three.