2016-17 MVP Race

[JBcat]

For the most part prior to the season you can predict between 2 or 3 players that will be in the MVP race.  This season however seems like it could be very wide open.   As a result I thought it would nice to have an open thread the entire season to discuss the MVP race.  Maybe someone or myself can update the stats periodically, and possibly at the end I could add a poll.

We have the usual suspects in James, Durant, and Curry.   James however might be taking a little more of a backseat this year, and sit some games out.   Plus he is 31 now, and just maybe he will slow down a tad.   Former MVP's Durant and Curry may cancel each other out, although they are still putting up very good numbers especially Durant. 

Here is their traditional stats so far 5 games or so into the season.

James 22.4 PPG, 9 RPG, 10 APG
Durant 30 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.3 APG
Curry 23.2 PPG, 3 RPG, 6 APG

Looking at those stats maybe James isn't scoring as much but be he is nearly averaging a triple double out of the gate!

Now you have some guys putting up video game like numbers.

Westbrook  34.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 10.0 APG
DeRozan    35.8 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.6 APG
Lilliard       34.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.5 APG
Harden      31.8 PPG, 7 RPG, 12.4 APG
Davis        30 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.2 APG
Leonard     28.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.8 APG
Cousins     27.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.8 APG
Irving        26 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.4 APG
Thomas     25.4 PPG, 3 RPG, 7 APG

Those are crazy good numbers by a number of guys.   It's only 5 or so games in so many of these stats will most likely fall back, but I can see Westbrook especially, Davis, Leonard, maybe Harden, and dare I say Cousins staying in the race (if the Kings make the playoffs).       

Then you have some guys who could take the leap in their stats.
George      24 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.6 APG (I could have put him in the above category)
Griffin       18.8 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3 APG (smack in the middle of his prime)

Maybe you could add even more, but I think that is lengthy enough list.

If I would have to vote right now for the season I would say Westbrook, but it's tough to carry a team for an entire season.   My darkhorse would be Leonard especially with what he brings on the defensive side.   Crazy to think back he was traded for George Hill. 

[Who]

My guess is that Harden and Westbrook lose too many votes from being on 40-47 win teams.

I would go for Kawhi Leonard. A new face. Someone different than LeBron, Durant, Steph. All of whom I think will lose votes from being on super-teams. Meanwhile, I think SAS will have a strong regular season showing and compete with those two other team for best regular season W-L record which will earn Kawhi a lot of votes.

[jambr380]

Decent thread idea, but maybe more fun to make it a prediction thread...at least to start.

I just kind-of assumed that Westbrook would run away with MVP this year. He hasn't yet won the award and, as you mentioned, GSW might cancel themselves out and Lebron may save some of his energy for the playoffs.

OKC should at least in the middle of the playoff picture in the west and Westbrook is by far their biggest star putting up ridiculous numbers (unsurprisingly). This same logic went for Harden two seasons ago when he lost to Steph, but I think he basically just got ripped off (remember, Howard was injured for much of that year and the Warriors were not yet considered the super-team they are now).

Of course it is a long season and there are other options (Who makes a strong case for Kawhi), but Westbrook is definitely my choice.

[celticsclay]

If the cavs have the best record it is hard to imagine Lebron not getting it. Especially after he has felt slighted recently

[Redz]

If Lebron averages a triple double he'll get it.  He seems to be pushing for the assists big time.

[LarBrd33]

i have a feeling Durant will put up MVP numbers, but be disqualified the same way LeBron was disqualified by joining Miami the year they gave the MVP to an undeserving Derrick Rose.

[celticsclay]

i have a feeling Durant will put up MVP numbers, but be disqualified the same way LeBron was disqualified by joining Miami the year they gave the MVP to an undeserving Derrick Rose.

You don't think his numbers will be held back by curry and klay? I realize he is doing ok so far scoring wise, but klay has not even had a big game yet and curry has been playing bad by his standards.