The MVP Race

           In this piece we will discuss various MVP candidates that may or may not be based on their current production, our pre-season predictions, or future breakouts.

James Harden has officially arrived.  The 6^th year A-State guard has shown that he can be the best player on a championship team (not that the Rockets are).   Yes, we can look at how his turnovers are at a career-high level and his field goal percentage is way down, but that is expected with the third highest usage rate in the NBA.  What is unexpected his newfound defensive effort that brings him close to the lead league in steals and averaging over one block when his previous high was half of that.  It is obvious he went ala-Jordan and decided that he would make a perceived weakness one of his strengths.  Now he still is one of the worst ball-stoppers in transition we have ever seen, but we must give credit to his off-ball defense improving.  Remember, Harden was seen as a ‘three-and-D’ guy when he was drafted by the Thunder and was not labeled as a terrible defender until he arrived in Houston.   If he keeps up his current pace as Dwight Howard returns then he is firmly implanted into the MVP race.

Anthony Davis could be better.  The man with the highest efficiency ratings and expected wins-added is being used wrong.   The former point-guard turned behemoth overnight is unstoppable.  When you have a player like this you want him to create mismatches.   He rarely turns the ball over and for a big that touches the ball that much that is a rare trait.  The Pelicans offense is stagnant and they do not pass the ball much, they rely too much on isolation plays – they have capable three point shooters in Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday that could space the defense and cause opponents to pick their poison in doubling Davis or getting torched from the perimeter.  Tyreke Evans is having a resurgent year but he is the anti-thesis of what this team needs – they need an Arron Afflalo.  Monty Williams, frankly, sucks.  If we could see Anthony Davis play in a passing offense, like the Spurs, he could be prime Tim Duncan. 

Stephen Curry is wet.   I’ve said it once and I will say it again.  To shoot over 7.5 threes a game and still shoot 48+% from the floor is incredible.  Curry is categorically underrated at driving to the basket and finishing in traffic.  He has unbelievable handles and is an improving passer.  He is still a lackluster defender but always vigilant and that is why he gathers 1.8 steals a game.   Curry is actually having a worse statistical year than he did last year but anytime you are the clear best player on a 20-2 team you will garner some MVP consideration.  He won’t win the MVP but you can’t have the discussion without one of your NBA ‘old-head’ uncles bringing him up.  

Lebron James should still be the MVP every year because without him the Cavs would be a fringe playoff team and not even in the race in the West.  In recent news, King James does not care about on-ball defense as he repeatedly has let opponents beat him off the dribble for dunks.  The first time I remember this happening was Iguodala’s dunk on Lebron circa 2010.  Now it is becoming a more regular occurrence.  Despite that he is still the greatest transition player ever, save Magic Johnson, and ‘all world’ in the post, passing, and driving to the basket.  It seems that the era of James playing every game like it was his last is over and he is going all San Antonio on our asses and saving some gas in the tank for the playoffs.  Kudos to giving up personal accolades for the benefit of the team, King James. 

Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook.

Blake Griffin or Chris Paul. 

When you have a fellow top-10 NBA player on your team it is really hard to win the MVP.  In a parallel universe with the league’s players jumbled up then maybe one of these guys would have a shot at winning MVP.  Durant will have a hard time winning if he only plays 60 games, and Paul has the ‘amazingly efficient but not flashy enough’ vibe you get from Tony Parker – so he’s out.   Blake Griffin is a product of his environment and still the best in-game dunker ever (sorry Vince).  He has not taken a step up from last year which saw his passing, jump shooting, and post-moves all improve – we are still waiting Blake.