Rondo and MVP Watch

[Bring Back Antoine]

ESPN just posted their latest Awards Watch column, I generally agree with what they have said here (I think Dirk should be higher) but doesn't Rondo at least have to factor into this discussion somewhere? He's averaging over 14 dimes per game, and the Celtics are rolling.
http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/Awards-101207/nba-awards-watch

[Fafnir]

No because there are two other point guards who are even more important to their team's success. Then factor in the sheer star power besides Rondo in the starting line up and he's not a serious MVP contender.

He's the type of player you mention, but then don't put higher than 4th on your ballot even if you are a big booster of his game.

[Greenbean]

Chris Paul over Rondo on the DPOY watch is questionable. Then the comment that few, if any pg's play harder on defense than Paul.

Keep that chip firmly implanted on Rondo's shoulder.

[Drucci]

Chris Paul over Rondo is simply ridiculous. Same for Rose over Rondo.

I do think Rondo has his chances to win it - although slight chances - if multiple factors happen this season, like the Celtics finishing 1st in the East and potentially with the best record in the East, and Rondo averaring 14 dimes and 13 points or more for the season.

[Fafnir]

I'm more surprised that Glen Davis isn't among the five players mentioned for sixth man of the year. His numbers are right around all the players they mention. The following links show them side by side.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=dUQIQ

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=rHnnG

[Fafnir]

Chris Paul over Rondo on the DPOY watch is questionable. Then the comment that few, if any pg's play harder on defense than Paul.

Keep that chip firmly implanted on Rondo's shoulder.

CP3 as DPOY is a joke, he's a good defensive player but he's not anywhere near the other four players on the list. And Rondo is also a much more disruptive defensive force at the PG position.

Of course if Rondo has to rest for a long time for his foot/hamstring he won't get any consideration.

I'm surprised to see Noah ahead of KG on their list. Defense is more than rebounds....

[crafty213]

As good as Rondo is, his PPG is not where it needs to be for serious MVP discussion.  If he was in the 15ppg range a good case could be made for him. 

In terms of DPOY as good as Rondo is, Chris Paul has a better defensive rating at this point.

[BballTim]

As good as Rondo is, his PPG is not where it needs to be for serious MVP discussion.  If he was in the 15ppg range a good case could be made for him. 

In terms of DPOY as good as Rondo is, Chris Paul has a better defensive rating at this point.

  Rondo was in the top 3-4 in most lists before he started having injury problems. And opposing point guards put up better stats against Paul than Rondo in most categories.

[Jeff]

maybe IP needs to do a roundup of these power polls too!

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2010/12/8/1863461/nba-mvp-power-rankings-chris-paul-pau-gasol-lebron-james

I've seen KG, Pierce, and Rondo each mentioned in various polls - at the end of the year, they'll cancel each other out too much to get the nod

which is fine by me - may the best TEAM win!

[Prof. Clutch]

maybe IP needs to do a roundup of these power polls too!

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2010/12/8/1863461/nba-mvp-power-rankings-chris-paul-pau-gasol-lebron-james

I've seen KG, Pierce, and Rondo each mentioned in various polls - at the end of the year, they'll cancel each other out too much to get the nod

which is fine by me - may the best TEAM win!

Exactly!

[2short]

rondo makes everyone better
we however have no dominate player, you can argue til blue in the face that kg, pp or rondo is the team mvp, i wouldn't want to have to pick that
which means none of the 3 mentioned will be in mvp discussions, doesn't matter to me
#18 matters

[Bring Back Antoine]

rondo makes everyone better
we however have no dominate player, you can argue til blue in the face that kg, pp or rondo is the team mvp, i wouldn't want to have to pick that
which means none of the 3 mentioned will be in mvp discussions, doesn't matter to me
#18 matters

I agree completely, at the end of the day it's all about the title. And it's great that our team is over individual accolades. It's just cool to see our guys getting some national attention.

[mgent]

No because there are two other point guards who are even more important to their team's success. Then factor in the sheer star power besides Rondo in the starting line up and he's not a serious MVP contender.

He's the type of player you mention, but then don't put higher than 4th on your ballot even if you are a big booster of his game.

Two?  I'd say more like four.

[drza44]

I'm surprised to see Noah ahead of KG on their list. Defense is more than rebounds....

Yeah.  Not everyone is heavy into "advanced stats", I get that, but you don't even have to look that deep to see the chasm-like difference on defense between KG and Noah so far this year. 

Bulls: 104.3 points/100 possessions (9th in NBA)
Bulls defense actually 8.4 points better/100 possessions without Noah through 20 games

Celtics: 99.7 points/100 possessions (1st in NBA)
Celtics defense a whopping 9.9 points worse/100 possessions without KG through 20 games

I'm actually a big Noah guy, but this isn't close.  At the quarter pole, DPoY should be a 2 horse race between KG and Dwight Howard.

[BballTim]

No because there are two other point guards who are even more important to their team's success. Then factor in the sheer star power besides Rondo in the starting line up and he's not a serious MVP contender.

He's the type of player you mention, but then don't put higher than 4th on your ballot even if you are a big booster of his game.

Two?  I'd say more like four.

  More important to the success of teams that are expected to have less success than the Celts though.