NBA MVP rankings: Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's reign may be in peril

The NBA regular season just started, but it’s not too early to look ahead to the league’s most significant individual award. It’s clear the field for Most Valuable Player is going to be a crowded one, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s run of two consecutive awards may be in peril. It’s also clear that injuries are going to take their toll on the race for the prize. Several significant ailments, none bigger than Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards’ knee issue, are going to complicate résumé, as players try to meet the 65-game threshold for eligibility. It has been an intriguing start to the season, so here is the first iteration of the USA TODAY Sports' NBA Most Valuable Player rankings: Though other players may have better numbers, Cunningham is the driving force behind Detroit’s offense and the kindling for its success. No team began the season with a more difficult schedule than the Pistons, who opened with the Celtics, Heat, 76ers and Knicks. Detroit won all but the one against New York. Cunningham handles the ball, scores, creates for his teammates, rebounds and is a willing defender. And he’s doing all this without fellow All-Star Jalen Duren (hamstring).