Russell Westbrook and James Harden
With All-Star Approaching, Who is the NBA MVP So Far?
By: John Cliff
cliff@usssportsmachine.com
Special to Pasion Magazine
With the All-Star game and approaching and the NBA season already half way finished, some of the front runners for the MVP honors are easily recognizable. However, just like in any sport, every MVP award has a long list of contenders. There were a lot of questions headed into this NBA season.
In the offseason, Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency for the Golden State Warriors, creating a super-duper team. This decision paired him up with the reigning two-time MVP Steph Curry and in the process hurt Curry's chances of winning the award again due to a lack of possessions shooting on the ball with Durant on the team.
Similarly, Durant’s decision left his former All-Star teammate Russell Westbrook alone and in complete control of his previous team's offense.
Russell Westbrook:
Managing OKC's offense entirely by himself, Russell Westbrook has put up historic stats we haven’t seen since the 1960s. In only 44 games, Westbrook is averaging 30.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 10.4 assists. While the numbers speak for themselves, Westbrook has achieved 21 triple doubles, making James Harden’s 13 seem insignificant. Westbrook's stats put him on pace for averaging a triple double for the first time since Oscar Robertson did it in 1961 which makes a definite MVP favorite. However, despite Westbrook’s insane stats, his team is currently the 7th seed in the Western Conference. If history is any indication, the award has never been awarded to a player whose team was lower than a fourth seed.
James Harden:
This technicality in team success makes way for the arguably the biggest favorite of the MVP award, James Harden. Just like Westbrook, Harden is putting up absurd stats by leading the league in assists while being second in scoring. Although both players have great stats, Harden's Houston Rockets are the third seed in the West with an excellent record at 33-12. Simply by being on a good team, Harden is more likely to win the award compared to Westbrook making him the definite MVP favorite.
Other Picks
LeBron James:
There has never been a season where LeBron James has not received MVP votes. The heart of the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron has always been the best player on his team and the best player in the Eastern Conference. Even at 32 years of age and after winning the award four times, James is having one of his more efficient seasons, and his team is primed to be first seed in the Eastern Conference for the second year in a row. Overall, LeBron James is the most valuable player on his team, and although his stats may not be as flashy as Westbrook or Harden, he has a case for winning the MVP award.
Kevin Durant:
Kevin Durant knew that his numbers would decline when he joined the Golden State Warriors. Even though the Warriors are currently the first seed in the Western Conference and on pace to win over 70 games, he is not favored to the MVP award due to having another great player on his team in Steph Curry. Still, while Durant's numbers are not as flashy as some of his competitors, he is playing some of the best defense of his career while shooting at the best efficiency of his career. Durant's excellent play coupled his team's great record makes him a good candidate for the MVP award.
Isaiah Thomas:
After being one of the most unlikely MVP candidates at the start of the season, heading into the All-Star game, Isiah Thomas has made his case as the Most Valuable Player in the league. Despite his height, Thomas is scoring over 28.2 points per game including over 9.9 points when it matters most in the fourth quarter. Thomas's combination of high octane scoring coupled with his team, the Boston Celtics, being close to the second seed in the Eastern Conference make him a definite MVP candidate.
