Early NBA MVP Race

     We are a little past the midway point in the NBA season and a few weeks away from the All-Star break so it's time to take a look at the MVP race.  The last five years the debate has been dominated by LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, with Derrick Rose winning two years ago and Kevin Durant's name coming into the mix last year.

     Until a few weeks ago there were multiple guys that you could make an argument for to win the MVP.  But injuries have taken Chris Paul and Tim Duncan out of the conversation.  Paul has missed nine straight games and 12 out of the last 14 for the Clippers.  Paul still ranks second in assists (9.7) and first in steals (2.56) but his Clippers have dropped six of the last nine he's been out.  As for Duncan, he's missed six of the last eight for the Spurs due to a sore left knee and now a sprained ankle.  Timmy has his best numbers over the past three seasons (17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks) but even with him out of the lineup the Spurs have been able to run their winning streak to eleven.

     Let's first talk about Kobe and my question is where are all of his fans?  The past five years, Kobe fans have been loud and proud saying that he is the best player in the league, but this year they've been quiet.  That's mainly in part because his team is currently four games under .500 but his numbers are no different than any of the last five season.  Actually you can make the argument that they are better because he has a higher field goal percentage at 46% and more assists at 5.3.  But still nothing from the little mambas.  And the argument about Kobe being better because he has more rings than other players is the worst argument to make.  Rings don't make one player better than another.  If that was the case here is a list of all the players better than Kobe (who has 5 rings) with how many rings they've won.  Bill Russell (11), Sam Jones (10), John Havlicek (8), Tom Heinson (8), K.C. Jones (8), Tom Sanders (8), Robert Horry (7), Frank Ramsey (7), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar(6), Bob Cousy (6), Michael Jordan (6), Jim Loscutoff (6), Scottie Pippen (6).

     Now on to the actual MVP candidates.  Like I said earlier, Tim Duncan and Chris Paul have been playing great for title contending teams but their recent injuries have knocked them out of the top three.  So, Carmelo Anthony has moved into that spot as he's guided the New York Knicks to a 31-16 record and second place in the Eastern Conference.  The Knicks are one the surprise teams this year as they only managed to finish seventh in the East last season, Melo's first full season with the team.  In the first game this year, NY smashed the defending champions Miami Heat 104-84 behind Anthony's 30 points and 10 boards.  We weren't sure if it was a fluke but it became a trend as the Knicks have consistently won.  Carmelo himself is having his best scoring season since 2006-07 with Denver as he is second in the league at 28.5.  His field goal percentage is only at 45% but that is partly because he's taking 6.6 three pointers per game but he is shooting a career best 41.5% from distance.

     Coming in at #2 is Kevin Durant.  Durant is making the strongest case of his career for MVP as he's leading the league is scoring for the fourth straight season.  He is undoubtedly the best scorer and offensive player in the league.  This year he is on pace to be the only player ever to lead the league in scoring while shooting 50% from the field (51.7), 40% from three (42.2), and 90% from the free throw line (90.2).  Aside from all that offense he's averaging 7.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and over a block and steal per game.  All of this while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the second best record in the league at 37-12, only behind San Antonio.  The fact of him putting up those offensive numbers and his team challenging for the best record in the league makes him a top candidate.  By the end of the year, Durant could very well come out as the MVP and I would have no problem at all with it.  His efficiency on the offensive end has been amazing to watch and he's improved his game every year he's been in the league.  If he doesn't get it this year, he definitely will sometime in the near future.

     My MVP right now though, is LeBron James.  LeBron has won three of the last four MVP awards and if you thought his numbers were good in those years, this season they are even better.  He's fourth in scoring at 26.8, pulling down a career best 8.2 rebounds, and dishing out 7.0 assists.  He's also leading the league in Player Efficiency Rating while shooting 55.6% from the field and 40.8% from deep, both career highs.  LeBron has steadily improved since joining the Heat but he does so many great things on the basketball court every night that we almost take it for granted.  He's the only player in the league to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.  He has the Heat in first place in the East at 32-14, positioned to make a run at a third straight NBA Finals appearance.  One thing I know is that voters like to share the wealth, they don't like voting for the same guy every year.  It's even less likely when Durant might do something for the first time in the history of the NBA.  But a good question to ask your self, if we are voting for the Most Valuable Player, which team would still be contending if these players were taken off their respective squads?  I would have to say OKC is more likely to still be in the mix.  I'll definitely take Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and Kevin Martin over Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen.  It's really hard for me to make this call because Durant is my favorite player to watch and I'll never be a fan of LeBron after what he did to the Pistons in the 2007 playoffs.  It's kind of like Michael Jordan, I'll never cheer for the guy but I totally respect his game.  And ultimately, right now my vote goes to LBJ.