So who's MVP?

[soap07]

Is it too early to talk about the MVP? This must be the first time in years that there is no concrete MVP candidate. So I'll throw a couple names out there and you all tell me what you think. Feel free to yell at me over my rankings, I am definitely open to changing my mind.

1. Chris Paul - To me, this guy manages to go unheralded every year. He is by far the NBA's best point guard. From a tweet I read a little while ago:

Hornets will be starting Aaron Gray, Willie Green, and Sasha Pavlovic tonight. Wow.

He's #2 in PER, only behind LeBron in spite of his terrible starting cast. Yet, somehow, the team is only two games behind Oklahoma City for homecourt in the first round of the playoffs. He's averaging 17 points and 10 assists and shooting 49% from the field (45% from 3!). He's also, by my reading at basketballvalue.com (someone can correct me if I'm reading the chart wrong) 15th in Adjusted Plus/Minus. Take that for what it's worth - because LaMarcus Aldrige and Earl Watson are 1 and 2. Yikes.

2. LeBron - Remember all that garbage about LeBron being a "sidekick" and "Scottie Pippen"? He's clearly emerged as the Alpha-Dog on a Miami team a half game out of being the number one seed in the East. He's number one in PER and leading the Heat in points and assists. He's averaging 26/7/7 on 49% shooting and 36% from 3.

3. Rose - Simply incredible jump for Rose this year, possible ramp up to #2 in the point guard rankings this year. He's been excellent defensively (the Thibs effect?) and averaging 25/8 on 45%/36% from 3.  Rose has also been getting to the line a lot more recently and his team, in spite of injuries for long stretches to Boozer/Noah, is still very much a contender in the East.


Off the top of my head - other candidates in no particular order...

Dirk - Shame that Butler went down but it has bolstered Dirk's MVP case. When Dirk went down, Dallas started scuffling, but he's back, and the Mavs have won 9 in a row. Dirk is averaging 23/7 on 53%(!) shooting. He's 10th in the league in PER.

Westbrook - Is it possible that he's the best player on OKC? 9th in PER. 23/9 on 44 percent shooting. OKC is 4th in the West.

Durant: 29/7 on 47% shooting. 7th in PER.


Kobe: Blah, blah, blah.

Manu: Best player on the best team (record-wise)...has to count for something. Doesn't have the numbers though.

[Donoghus]

Right now, my vote would go to Derrick Rose.

He's been playing lights out for much of the season.  The guy has legitimately reached "scary when he's on the court" status for me.

[soap07]

Right now, my vote would go to Derrick Rose.

He's been playing lights out for much of the season.  The guy has legitimately reached "scary when he's on the court" status for me.

Agreed, although, I would note that so have Paul and LeBron.

[LB3533]

I'm going Lebron because he is putting up the numbers on a team with 2 other "super stars".

Players are not supposed to put up those kinds of numbers while playing alongside other superstars.

Not only does Lebron have the numbers, but his Heat team are one of the best in the league.

Lebron's Heat also have a number of injuries, lack of a playoff tested head coach and lack of talent after their starting 5.

[Eja117]

The player that leads his team to a ring. At the rate we're going probably KG

[Celtics4ever]

I think it will be LeBron too they sunk too much marketing dollars in him not for him to get it and they are not winning the title this year.  This allows the hype to continue.  I don't think he is the most valuable player to his team however.   I think Durant is the most valuable to his team.

[pearljammer10]

The player that leads his team to a ring. At the rate we're going probably KG

Well thats what Finals MVP is for. MVP is based on regular season, not saying I like it, but it is what it is. Unfortunately I think I have to go with LeBron, leaves the Cavs and look what happens. I put Dirk up there in second I think.

[Eja117]

The player that leads his team to a ring. At the rate we're going probably KG

Well thats what Finals MVP is for. MVP is based on regular season, not saying I like it, but it is what it is. Unfortunately I think I have to go with LeBron, leaves the Cavs and look what happens. I put Dirk up there in second I think.

Well then in that case most viscous player should go to KG.

[Eja117]

most versatile player could maybe go to Boris Diaw

[Megatron]

So far its Derrick Rose.

Hes carried a team full of scrubs to the second/third seed in the east.

No Boozer.
No Noah.

Basically its defense, Rose and Deng that have somehow carried this team to a elite level. I dont know how but my nickname for D.Rose is "Baby LeBron" he has the skill set and ability to get to the line so that even if his team is full of scrubs, he can still put them on his back and win games, I dont know how much longer he can keep this up though.

[BASS_THUMPER]

scalabrine!!

he held it down in chi town while boozer was home recuperating...

[soap07]

So far its Derrick Rose.

Hes carried a team full of scrubs to the second/third seed in the east.

No Boozer.
No Noah.

Basically its defense, Rose and Deng that have somehow carried this team to a elite level. I dont know how but my nickname for D.Rose is "Baby LeBron" he has the skill set and ability to get to the line so that even if his team is full of scrubs, he can still put them on his back and win games, I dont know how much longer he can keep this up though.

Maybe - but consider who CP3 is surrounded by. I would argue that Paul plays in a tougher conference and is having a better year, which would by default make him the better candidate.

[Fafnir]

1. LeBron
2. Dirk
3. CP3

I can't put Derrick Rose in the discussion because the Bulls are winning with defense, and he doesn't have all that much to do with it. Plus he's playing like a mini-LeBron right now (offensively at least, its ugly), that makes it hard for me to put him ahead of the full sized version (who's just better).

[housecall]

Scalabrine's team mate D.Rose

[soap07]

1. LeBron
2. Dirk
3. CP3

I can't put Derrick Rose in the discussion because the Bulls are winning with defense, and he doesn't have all that much to do with it. Plus he's playing like a mini-LeBron right now (offensively at least, its ugly), that makes it hard for me to put him ahead of the full sized version (who's just better).

What do you mean he doesn't have much to do with it? Rose has been an excellent defender this year. Agreed on the second part though.