1. Chris Paul (50-22)
Is it true that CP3 has become a better player/point guard than Steve Nash? Well, let鈥檚 look at the stats. Paul is averaging 4 more points, 2.1 more steals, 0.5 more rebounds, 0.3 more dimes, and the Hornets have a one game lead on Phoenix in the west. Really it鈥檚 up to the voters, but it looks like Paul has the advantage.
2. Kobe Bryant (50-24)
Without Pao Gasol, the Lakers have been struggling as of late. The only reason they are still within the top three in the west is because of Kobe. Don鈥檛 believe me? Look at the stats. He鈥檚 had seven games where he has scored 30 or more this month. The only reason he鈥檚 out of the top spot is because of his two losses at home...against the Grizzlies and Bobcats.
3. Lebron James (41-33)
Something鈥檚 fishy here. Lebron is averaging career bests in field goal percentages, rebounds, assists, and second best in points. Yet the Cavs have only won 41 games this season...in the East! Could last years finals visit be their last? Lebron may have something to say about that come playoff time.
4. Kevin Garnett (58-15)
Where would the Celtics be without Garnett? Seriously people, you obviously don鈥檛 give him enough credit for turning one of the worst teams in the league last year into one of the best this year. You have to give him props even with Paul and Allen on the team, because the way the Celtics win their games is through defense鈥攁nd you can鈥檛 spell defense without Garnett.
5. Dwight Howard (47-27)
It looks like the Magic will have the third seed locked up just in time for the playoffs, and boy is that a stretch from last year. Last year, they got blown out in the first round and almost didn鈥檛 even make the post season. They already have won seven more games than their previous season, and all Magic fans can do is thank Dwight Howard as he鈥檚 averaging career highs in points, rebounds and blocks.
6. Steve Nash (50-24)
It鈥檚 tough learning an entirely new game, and that鈥檚 what Steve had to do since Shaq arrived in Phoenix. Having a colossal beast in the middle is new to the two-time MVP. But even with this minor distraction, he鈥檚 still doing whatever it takes to take his team to the top in the Western Conference. I mean, did anyone watch his scoring spree against Denver on March 31st? Unbelievable!
7. Tim Duncan (51-23)
People are starting to wonder about the San Antonio Spurs. After losing a few in a row, the Spurs have won 7 straight. Are they starting to become streaky? I don鈥檛 know, but Tim Duncan鈥檚 been anything but streaky averaging 18.8 points and 10.3 rebounds during the streak.
8. Deron Williams (49-26)
Deron, Deron, where to start...are you not getting enough credit? You鈥檝e been in the shadows of Chris Paul and Steve Nash all season long to remain the third best point guard in the league. Still you鈥檙e averaging career highs in points and assists, your team is 49-26 and you practically start their offense, so I鈥檓 sure there鈥檚 room for you in the top ten.
9. Amare Stoudemire (50-24)
There is definitely one player that the Shaq trade has had a massive effect on. This player is Amare Stoudemire who has been averaging 29.3 points and 9.8 rebounds in the past two months. Is this year the young power forward gets some MVP consideration? Probably not, but next year he plays power forward all season long with Shaq as the center, so look to see his averages go sky high.
10. Tracy McGrady (49-24)
It鈥檚 hard to place the leader of a team who鈥檚 won 22 straight this low on the list, but the truth is...the Rockets are starting to have some troubles, and it鈥檚 a possibility that they won鈥檛 even make the playoffs. Although it seems like a bit of a stretch, it鈥檚 possible. After all, the Rockets have only won 3 out of their last 7 after the streak with Tracy only averaging 18.9 points in those contests.
On the Outside Looking In
11. Baron Davis- 22.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.7 APG
12. Allen Iverson- 26.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 7.2 APG
13. Carlos Boozer- 21.8 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.8 APG
14. Paul Pierce- 20.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.7 APG
15. Chauncey Billups- 17.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 7.1 APG
16. Antawn Jamison- 21.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.5 APG
17. Chris Bosh- 22.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.5 APG
18. Carmelo Anthony- 25.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.5 APG
19. Manu Ginoboli- 20.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.6 APG
20. Dirk Nowitzki- 23.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.6 APG I wrote this seven days ago so it's a little out of date...I just want to know what you guys think. And yes, I know I have a lot of time on my hands, but I was sick that day and had nothing else to do, so I decided to make it. you basically sealed it up. perfect answer, great runner-ups, great reasons, chris paul will win it. and i like to see how you included baron davis. great list You shouldnt read into their stat line so much with your analysis on who should win the MVP.
As you have seen the last couple years, the MVP has been given to the player who had lead their team to a great record, and also put up decent numbers.
With that said thats why guys like Lebron and Kobe havent won a MVP yet even tho they have put up the best stats the past few years.
Also guys like Duncan, and Nash wont get it because they simply dont get much attention anymore.
That being said, it eliminates a lot of these candidates from the running.
In reality the only two likely candidates are CP3 and KB.
Between them they both put up very good numbers this year, both teams are winning and are at the top of the West. Talent wise on there teams i would have to say its not grossly different but i would say Hornets have a better starting 5 but the Lakers have a better bench.
So the only way you can differentiate between them is how they had to do it.
This is where CP3 loses ground to Kobe.
CP3 has had a healthy team all year and did not have to deal with injury problems whatsoever.
For KB, they have dealt with problems all year round. First, Bynum gets hurt, and then Gasol got hurt as well. Also Kobe is hurt as well but he continues playing.
I think this will probably be the major consideration when the panel votes for the MVP but i think its enough to give KB the nod over CP3. Pretty good but I think Nash and Duncan are ranked a bit too high. Maybe it's their reputation leading them. Stoudamire should now be ranked higher than Nash, really. Nash isn't as good a PG as Chris Paul or Deron Williams this season. And it seems Ginobili has been the Spurs' MVP this year more than Duncan.
Boozer and Billups should also be higher than they are, and maybe Yao Ming should still crack the top 20.
All just my opinion.
But wow, your Top FIVE is STRAIGHT-ON and may actually be the way the voters vote. Kobe should be number 1.., People need to give Mcgrady more credit. When Houston needs points he steps up but when they dont he gets other plyers involved. Kobe isnt having as good a season as last year but just because the lakers got pau gasol and they are top of the west everyone is hyping them up. If anyone is to win MVP it should be Paul , if you take Chris Paul out of New Orleans their not a playoff team at all. |
