Couple thoughts…

Jokic winning back to back(and especially if he takes down Celtics) would cement him in top 10-12 all time I think. 3 MVP’s and 2 Titles in 4 years is massive.

There’s a list of 1st time winners that would get some credibility…Tatum, Luka, Embiid, Booker, SGA, Ant, PG, Brunson, Dame, Mitchell, Paolo, Hali

Most of those don’t really have a chance, but I’d say Luka and Embiid need titles before their careers are over or they’d probably drop in people’s minds.

Tatum would still have doubters because his team was just stacked with talent. Book would likely get similar treatment because of KD.

SGA and Ant are interesting because they’d be winning way before they are supposed to. Them or PG are the best candidates I think from the first timers.

Other repeat guys:

Giannis - Would give him 2/2 with MVP/Finals and if he beat Jokic for it, that would be massive.

Kawhi - a 3rd title and 3rd Finals MVP(especially if he took down Jokic/Boston on the way) would probably get him in that top 15 area.

KD - a 3rd title(and most importantly one without Curry) would give him more widespread credibility, but he’s probably not moving much. He’s 8-15 all time and this might make him 7-12?

LeBron - a 5th title at 39 with an underdog team? Ya that would be massive for him. There will still be holdouts but that might push some fence sitters to LeBron over MJ.

I think I’d go Giannis…doesn’t look like he’ll get the chance though. If not him it’s either Jokic for me or SGA/Ant drastically speeding up their timelines.