Who Deserves the MVP this Season?
Steph Curry
Steph Curry is back to his vintage self, launching haymakers from almost half
court while catapulting his team into the one of the last seeds of the Western
Conference Playoff race. The Chef is currently leading the NBA in scoring with
an average of 31.4 points per game, while shooting 51% from the field, 47% on
3-pointers, and 95% from the Free Throw Line. Additionally, Steph is #2 in both
Box Plus/ Minus and Value Over Replacement. The Warriors are tied for the 9th
seed in the West, and with 14 games left, they have a chance to build some
momentum to move up in the standings with Curry playing his best basketball yet.
Nikola Jokic
Jamal Murray's season just ended, but the Nuggets are still having another
successful regular season campaign with Nikola Jokic at the helm. Jokic is
their do-it-all point-center that defies all position stipulations. He is
Denver's best passer, rebounder, scorer and overall offensive system. He touches
the ball almost every play. According to NBA Advanced Stats, Nikola Jokic
averages the most touches per game in the NBA with 101.1 touches per game. The
Joker is the Nugget's offense. Jokic is currently averaging nearly a
triple-double, posting 26.4 points per game, 11.1 rebounds per game and 8.8
assists. Also, according to Basketball Reference, Jokic has the most Win Shares
by far in the NBA with 12.8. The Joker has the The Denver Nuggets sitting at
the 4th spot in the Western Conference standings.
Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers are #2 in the Eastern Conference, and Joel Embiid is
starting to shows signs of maturation and durability that we haven't seen in the
past. Embiid has competed in 68% of this season's games! The big man's offensive
repertoire is elite, because he can score at all 3 levels, whether facing or with
his back-towards the basket, while being a 7 ft 280 pound center. "The Process"
is averaging 29.9 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. Embiid is #2 in
both Usage % and and Win Shares per 48 Minutes. The 2014 NBA Draft has proved to
be the best most recent draft of big men, producing the likes of Embiid (#3),
Julius Randle (#7), and Nikola Jokic (#41). Other notable big men from that
draft are: Jusuf Nurkic (#16), Clint Capela (#25).
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Unfortunately, I believe that the league is spoiled and ungrateful of the
performances that Giannis continues to put together. The man is a 6'11 jack of
all trades, #1 scoring option, athletic freak. Also, he is durable; he has played in 51
of Milwaukee's 60 games this season. In his 8th season, the "Greek Freak" is
averaging 28.5 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, and 6 assists and he has his team
sitting comfortably in the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Don't
forget that Giannis is only 26 and still has time to improve his often
criticized jumper.
Luka Doncic
The 22 year-old is having yet another individually successful year. In only his
3rd season, he's putting up a back to back year of Lebron-like numbers while
leading his team into playoff contention. The 3rd year guard is averaging 28.5
points per game, 8.8 assists, and 8 rebounds. The Mav's success this season has
been hindered by injuries. Although statistically Kristaps Porzingis is having a
nice year, he's only played in 39 games. Nonetheless, Luka has the Mavs sitting
in the 6th spot in the Western Conference and with Lakers dealing with injuries
to their best players, they could move up to the 5th spot.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard will likely never win an MVP because of his fascination with load
management, but the Small Forward continues to prove why possesses two rings
with two different franchises. Although his stats of 25.7 points per game, 6.7
rebounds and 5 assists pop out, what may be most impressive is his 51.6 field
goal %. The wing player possesses a strong frame and high release that allows
him to get a lot of high percentage buckets. "The Claw" and and "PG-13" have the
Clips tied for the #2 spot in the Western Conference Playoffs with some time to
compete for the 1st seed as well.
James Harden
Harden is likely to be sitting until the playoffs, which likely won't affect the
Nets. But when he was playing, he had a stretch this season when he looked like
a magician, orchestrating Brooklyn's offense with ease and poise. He made his
teammates better and showed that he is much more than a rule exploiting,
selfish, iso scorer. He's magic, a wizard in the pick & roll. This season "The Beard"
has averaged 25.2 points per game, 10.9 assists, and 8 rebounds. For now the Nets will be
perfectly fine without him, but he is their point guard and they'll need his
playmaking abilities in the playoffs.
Lebron James
Lebron James is still out healing from his high ankle sprain suffered in March,
but what is a respectable MVP candidate list without the best player in the
world on it? The Point-Forward is averaging 25.4 points per game, 8 assists and
8 rebounds. It seems as the King gets older, he continues to find more ways to
improve and be a great player. We'll see come playoff time if he can once again
will his team to the Finals.
Chris Paul
Last year, the Phoenix Suns went 34-39 last season and had to fight for a spot in a play-in game. This year, they acquired CP3 and now they possess the 2nd best record in the entire league. Chris Paul is having yet another great year and he will compete in the playoffs
with the expectation to win a championship as well. Now here's the question, is he
even the Most Valuable Player on his own team? Emphatically Yes! Don't get me wrong, Devin Booker is having a
great season, but he is actually scoring at a lower clip. The main difference in the Sun's magnificent turnaround this season is due to both Chris
Paul's leadership and production on the floor. The veteran PG is averaging a
solid 15.7 points per game, 8.8 assists per game and 1.5 steals, while taking
great care of the ball. CP3 is only commiting 2.1 turnovers per game, tied for
his lowest turnover rate in his 16 year career.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Buckets is arguably the best 2-way guard in the NBA. He is quietly having another great statistical season, averaging 21.4 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, and 7.2 assists per game. He's also
shooting a nice 49% from the field. But what is most impressive about Butler's
game is his defense and intangibles. He is leading the NBA in steals with 2.1
per game and he ranks #3 in Win Shares per 48 minutes and #4 defensive box plus/
minus. After a slow start, he has the Heat in the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Damian Lillard
The Portland Trail Blazers have been blessed by the heavens with one of the most
loyal franchise players ever. In an era where winning with other great players
is the likely choice over winning with one organization no matter the roster, a guy
like Dame is very difficult to come by. The reason why I did not give Steph
quite the glory I'm giving Dame is because at least Steph has a few championship
rings, got to play with KD, in addition to his fellow Splash Brother, Klay
Thompson. Dame is an anomaly, a true Trailblazer. No disrespect to Cj McCollum and Lamarcus Aldridge, but Dame Dolla hasn't had the luxury of playing with other superstars.The Combo guard is #3 in the
NBA in points per game with 28.7, while averaging 7.7 assists. Dame has got
his team in a solid #6 spot in the Western Conference standings.
Julius Randle
The Knicks have been on FIRE this Spring and a lot of their success can
contributed to the stellar play of their #1 option: Julius Randle. The veteran
forward is averaging an elite 24 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game, and a
surprising 6 assists, while shooting 46% from the field, 41% from 3 and 80% from
the FT line. I don't know about anyone else, but those numbers scream "Franchize
Player" to me. But the thing that is most surprising is that the New York Knicks
are actually good!! The Knicks are currently tied at the 4th spot in the Eastern
Conference and possess the longest current winning streak in the NBA (9 straight
wins). Julius Randle is most definitely playing like he wants to get a raise.
He's played all but 1 game and made his 1st All-Star appearance this season.
Even though Randle is on this list, I actually do not think he has a realistic chance to
win MVP, BUT I do think he makes a serious case for hefty contract extension
after revitalizing New York basketball.
ZachJonesTPT
- Hoop Untold
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