NBA MVP: Who Wins?
With the NBA season coming to a close, who wins the NBA MVP? There's 4 players in the race with Westbrook, Harden, Kawhi, and Lebron all having amazing seasons. I feel like Westbrook's triple-double fest is getting way too much love by the media. Sure, it's an impressive feat but OKC's offense is tailored to him; he's a ball-hog and that demotivates the team to play D. I feel Harden definitely offers his teammates more and he's a way more efficient shooter ( True shooting percentage (.620) and 29ppg while; 1.56 points/shot) than Russ.
Lebron is having a great year, with career highs in assists, rebounds, and 3 made. Cleveland struggled last year, but I feel he gets some votes just off his name alone.
Kawhi's definitely filled Duncan's shoes this season, he's been a beast on both ends of the floor averaging 25+ ppg and looking like a solid candidate to win a the DPOY (his 3rd straight).
I say Harden finally wins the MVP. Will see if he can take the Rockets deep in the playoffs. Who do you think wins MVP when it's all said and done?
If Russell Westbrook doesn't win MVP then the ppl don't know the meaning of the term (and b/c he isn't a media darling like Steph). OKC would be the worst team in the league if Russ wasn't on the squad, when he doesn't get a triple double they are under .500, when he does they have something like 33 wins and 8 losses. If anything the media isn't giving enough attention to his triple double, Oscar Robertson's triple double season came in a year where the average team scored ~120 due to break-neck pace. He's the MVP, not Lebron, Harden, or Kawhi. This is coming from a Rockets fan.
Then as a rockets fan you know James should have won MVP 2 years ago, but didn't because we were a 6 seed. That's part of the rules, best player on an elite team. Also Russ' two extra uncontested rebounds per game (he leads the league in uncontested rebounds) are all James is missing from averaging the illustrious triple-double. So looking beyond those hollow stats and hollow moniker (triple double is just even numbers, the difference between 9 and 10 rebounds often has no effect on the game). James is having the most prolific and efficient scoring & assisting season of all time (points created) on one of the most prolific and efficient offenses of all time. I usually agree with you BtB, but as a fellow Houstonian I'm disappointed.
Harden not winning the MVP 2 years ago doesn't mean Westbrook shouldn't win MVP now. Let's not compound these mistakes. Agreed with James Harden's efficiency but that is the nature of our offense, he can pick his spots because he is surrounded by great shooters and two premier pick and roll players (Eric Gordon/ Lou Williams), Westbrook has to force it more b/c his team will lose if he doesn't. I agree that a triple double is just a label but it's a label that means something, he would still be the second player in NBA history to achieve that feat, it's gotta mean something. Either way I am far more concerned with Houston's playoff performance than Harden getting a trophy.
What's crazy is Robertson finished THIRD in the MVP voting during that 61-62 season. Russell won the award and Wilt finished second averaging 50 pts and 25 rebounds a game
Wilt or Oscar should've won it. Just another case of MVP really meaning "best player on the best team". Which is bullshit.
RTJ logo, Rockets fan, and Westbrook supporter... Did we just become best friends? SB.
Harden
Gotta be Westbrook. He literally is the most valuable player for his team, without him OKC would be absolute garbage. Also the whole ball hog argument is BS. If they didn't give him the ball who else is going to do anything better with it than what Russ already does? The fact that he is averaging a triple double is mindblowing and should win him MVP, hands down.
This argument punishes any team that would still be good without its best player. The fact that Harden can be as productive as he is, DESPITE the fact he has a talented team (unlike Westbrook who hogs the ball because he is the ONLY big time scorer on his team) is what seals the deal. It's the same logic that won Steph Curry the MVP. The Rockets are a 3 seed with Harden, and probably a 7/8 seed without him (still good). OKC is a 6 seed with Westbrook, and probably 13th/14th in the West without him.
Edit: It is also why LeBron and Kawhi are even in contention-- the fact that they make an already very good team even better (championship contenders). It's difficult to extrapolate and say Westbrook could do the same given some particular characteristics he portrays.
Yes. This right here. Also, I find it funny all the love the Rockets are getting when people say that even without Harden we're a talented team. I think Morey did a great job of bringing in players and a coach to fit our style, but come on.. without Harden does anybody really think a Beverly, E. Gordon (or Lou Will), Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Capela starting 5 is good enough to make the playoffs!? (In the Western conference!) We surrounded him with players who fit our system, but by no means all stars.** The fact that people think our roster is so talented speaks to how well Harden makes them look when he is running the point position in D'Antoni/Morey's system.**
If russ doesn't win, it's stupid.
Russell Westbrook should really win it, but given where the team stands in the rankings, I wouldn't be surprised if James Harden takes it. When it comes to Lebron, you can make a case for him every single year, but the rules of the game state that you just have to do something special / out of the ordinary to get MVP - Lebron's been doing what he's doing for almost 15 years now.
Harden leads the league with 5.79 turnover/game. Westbrook is in second place with 5.42/game.
Harden & Westbrook are on pace to have the #1 and #2 most turnover in a season all time.
Kawhi is avg. 26ppg, 6rb, 3.6asts, 1.8 steals, and 1 block. This puts him as a top-5 offensive player in the league. That combined with the fact he's the potential defensive player of the year, lead his team to 60+ wins and only turns the ball over 2 times per game - he's got my vote.
Yeah, not going to happen - massive fan of Leonard, but his stats are a bit too weak for MVP (as that's what it's all about) when compared to Lebron and on poorer shooting as well. The argument about his defensive skills is totally valid although somewhat reduced in weight due to the existence of the DPOY award.
Some people may view it as a stretch, but Isaiah Thomas should be in the mix.
Averaging 29 PPG and 6 APG while shooting 46% from the field and nearly 40% from the arc is very impressive. He has led the Celtics to the 2nd spot in the East with no other standout player on the team (sorry Al Horford). Not to mention he has completely taken over the 4th quarter, averaging over 10 points in the 4Q alone, which is the highest 4Q output in the last 20 years. All of this while measuring 5' 9". Maybe I'm biased, maybe not, but there is something magical about watching a small, relatively unathletic guy, carve up defenses.
Just my $.02
He'd probably win it most years but this year Harden and Westbrook are just too ridiculous. It really is a two man race
I'm with you on this one. He likely won't win, think Russ will pull it out, but I'd definitely give him my vote for most improved player.
Haven't watched much NBA this year, is Harden still a revolving door on defense?
Yep, and the Rockets offense is damn near unstoppable
Harden plays zero defense. hilarious that a Rockets fan is trying to make a case for Harden when Westbrook is having a once in a lifetime historically great, record setting season. there's just no case to be made in my mind for anybody but Westbrook to win. he will likely break the record for most triple doubles in a season and finish the year averaging a triple double and over 31 ppg....
Westbrook also plays zero defense..
Russ - 31.6 10.4 10.7 Harden - 29.2 11.2 8.1
Basically identical, except those 2 extra rebounds a game get him to the mythical triple-double...
Harden has scored or assisted on more points this season than anyone EVER. ("once in a lifetime historically great, record setting season.") Also he is putting up these numbers on 5 less shots per game than Westbrook, in essence he is much more efficient, hence why his true shooting % is north of 60 which is top 5 in the league for players scoring 20+ppg, meanwhile for the same parameters and rankings Westbrook is bottom 5.
Oh and yeah Harden has led this group to a top 3 seed in the Western conference (a pre requisite for winning MVP, no one in the past 30 years has won it w/o earning a top 3 conference seed).
I think it's a 2 way race between Harden and Westbrook. That being said, every MVP I can remember having their one "fuck you" game. Out of the two Westbrook is the one that had that game when he went for 57, 13, and 11 with the shot to send it into OT. But then again he stat pads and Harden has scored or assisted on more points than anyone else in history this season and his team is higher in the standings. It'll be close.
Westbrook is the one that had that game most recently** Harden dropped 53, 16, and 17 back in December. All 3 points you make in your second to last sentence I feel perfectly wrap up why Harden has to be MVP. Russ pads stats, Harden has scored or assisted on more points than anyone EVER, and his team is higher in the standings.
I agree, if I were voting I would definitely give Harden the nod.
Westbrook wins easily. The dude is **averaging ** a triple double this year and his team is still winning after KD left.
You say Thunder's offense is tailored around Westbrook, but the same applies to Lebron. I should that Lebron is 5 inches taller and getting less rebounds then Westbrook (something that has nothing to do with being a ball hog or having the team tailored to you).
Or maybe the fact that 8.6 of those 10.7 rebounds per game are uncontested...
http://stats.nba.com/players/rebounding/#!?sort=REB_UNCONTEST&dir=1
"Uncontested rebound" is a vague term that is misleading. Basically, if you are not boxed out and you get the rebound, its an uncontested rebound. If you are the only one to touch the ball during the rebound (regardless of how many people jump for it), its an uncontested rebound. This is Deandre Jordan basically tied with Westbrook on that list. Its not like Deandre just waits for free rebounds to roll up to him and ends up averaging 13 RBS/game.
Russ should win but I don't like to leave this thing up to the people who vote for this award (NBA writers, personnel and others) considering all the media frenzy against Russ after KD left the team. They constantly try and make Russ look bad and he just isn't that kind of player. If anything KD should be portrayed as a villain. My only knock on Russ for MVP is his teams seed.
Brian Scalabrine should win it
not even debatable for anybody to win besides Westbrook IMO. I pride myself in never letting any bias get in my way and am a Celtics fan...
Best Player in the league - Lebron Best Stat Sheet Stuffers - Westbrook/Harden (West Coast run and gun offenses)
The MVP race is stupid, Lebron James is and should have been the MVP every year for the past 7-8 years. He is head and shoulders the best player in the league and means the most to his team.
So Russ had a pretty Sunday, eh?
Westbrook, averaging a triple-double and seemingly single handily led OKC into the playoffs. The argument that it's "just a triple-double" an xyz star could also pull it off bla bla bla is just bs. There is a reason that only two players have managed to average a triple-double in leagues history.
Adipisci blanditiis sed ut velit dolor molestiae deleniti. Ut facere repudiandae reprehenderit qui et nihil. Est molestiae dolores quo voluptate.
Rerum est perferendis voluptas expedita modi facere fugiat fugiat. Doloribus laboriosam repellat optio sequi quo officiis a. Minus dolorem quasi officia ut. Corporis odio reprehenderit facere quidem consequatur natus. Iusto non est unde qui exercitationem. Eos sapiente aliquam repudiandae vel qui.
Quibusdam amet ut autem molestiae consectetur vero. Perspiciatis odio voluptatem ipsam omnis enim. Error reiciendis aut cupiditate quia excepturi delectus eos. Ut nihil aperiam laudantium ipsum dolorem. Ut mollitia non quibusdam aut velit asperiores amet. Non porro dolore distinctio modi. Fuga laboriosam et placeat voluptas quisquam quia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Et est officia facilis non ab. Cumque dolorem nam rerum. Dolores illo saepe harum itaque. Maxime perspiciatis culpa maiores aliquam corrupti dolorem fuga.
Porro hic et ut sit culpa et. A aut totam consequatur aut. Dolor provident sunt vel ipsam placeat. Aut ut nostrum assumenda et sit. Eos omnis nostrum eum perspiciatis qui voluptatem facere odio. Doloremque expedita alias id. Nobis necessitatibus consequuntur voluptas et.
Veniam pariatur ipsa totam. Qui occaecati voluptatum expedita fugiat facilis. Beatae unde rem ad repudiandae molestiae facere. Dolore consectetur et similique alias est officia similique.