How Can MVP Candidates Dethrone Lebron?

Courtesy: Bleacher Report

Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo was the only other player to get a first place vote for the MVP last season. One vote will not win Melo the MVP, but I can tell you how he can do it. Carmelo must start by, winning the scoring title once again. He has to do this to make up for Lebron being much more dominant on defense. Melo shot a shade under 45% last season from the field, and this is not going to cut it if he wants to take the MVP to New York. I would say Melo has to shoot a minimum of 48% from the field and remain around the 38% mark from down town. This is a tough task because Anthony is more of a shooter than Lebron. In order to achieve this high field goal percentage mark, Carmelo has to drive and not settle for bad jumpers like we witnessed when the Knicks were trailing in games last season. In addition to the field goal percentage, he also to get his assists up to about 4 per game. I don’t think this should be too much of a problem because of the increased number of weapons the Knicks added this offseason. Aside from stats, Carmelo has be the leader of this team much like Lebron is to the Heat. By lead, I mean lead the Knicks to the second seed in the East. Also, Melo and the Knicks will have to win the season series against the Heat. If he can do all of that and average about 29ppg, 7rpg, and 4apg he has a legitimate shot at his first MVP award.

Kevin Durant
KD has been the only other player that has been mentioned consistently as an MVP candidate other than Lebron. Many have thought KD should have won the MVP at least once in the previous 3 years, but he has failed to do so. Durant was able to join the 50-40-90 club this season and still was unable to take the MVP. I believe the reason for KD not being named MVP is because of his defense. He is not a bad defender by any means, but his body type is a huge disadvantage. Durant can get by when covering shooting guards and some small forwards, but he simply cannot defend somebody that can bang down low. This is where Lebron has the enormous advantage. Lebron is a freak of nature, he is just massive. If Durant can put on some muscle, this could help him defend these bigger guys. Since KD most likely isn’t going to change his body drastically over just one offseason, in order to take the MVP this season he has to win the scoring title. By winning the scoring title, I mean he has to average about 30-32ppg. This is definitely an achievable statistic because of the load he is going to have to carry after losing Kevin Martin. Durant is going to have a tough task this upcoming season but in order to win the MVP he is going to have to average 30-32ppg, 7rpg, 4apg and win the Western Conference. Again, it’s going to be a struggle with this current team to win the West, but I think he can average those numbers. To me, the Thunder are no better than a 4th seed team this year.

Derrick Rose
D-Rose’s case for the MVP differs greatly from every other candidate because he sat out the entire 2012-2013 season recovering from his torn ACL. So, if he returns to his old dominant self, it will be magnified because of the injury. For that reason, I think he has the best shot at taking to MVP award, for the 2nd time of his career. I think if Derrick can mirror his stats from his 2010-2011 MVP season (25, 4, 7), it will be sufficient enough to cover the statistical area. As for the winning part, the Bulls will have to surprise fans and finish in the top 3 in the Eastern Conference. One more requirement I’m going to throw in here, is that Derrick Rose will have to play at least 65 games this season. If he sits out more than 17 games due to injury, voters will not have as much remorse for him. Once again, very obtainable tasks for Derrick Rose. It is simply a matter of health.

Kobe Bryant
The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant, always in the conversation for MVP. Surprisingly enough, Kobe has only one the MVP award once in his career. Similar to Derrick Rose, Kobe is coming of a severe injury. The difference is that Kobe may defy all odds and come back early this season. Assuming Kobe comes back in the early season, unlike Melo and Durant, he will not have to win the scoring title nor will he have to come too close. I’m talking if Kobe can average a respectable 24-25 ppg this season, coming off a torn Achilles at 35 years old, he can be in the conversation for MVP. The major catch to this, Kobe will have to shoot up near the 50% mark.  The other catch is that, the Black Mamba will have to average a career high of 8 assists per game. Now many may believe this stat is unachievable for Kobe Bryant as he is known for being a high volume shooter, but let’s not forget the point guard abilities he displayed last season. Kobe had multiple 14 assist games last season in addition to several other double-digit assist games. These games do not reflect in his stat line from last season as much because Kobe decided to become more of a passer in the second half of the season. The toughest part about Kobe earning the MVP this upcoming season, is seeding. The Lakers are expected to be a mediocre team this year, with the expectation of the 8th seed at best. An 8th seed is not going to win an MVP award. I would say the lowest seed that Kobe can win the MVP in is the 5th seed. In order to win the MVP at the 5th seed, Kobe must average, 24-25ppg, 5rpg, 8apg. Seems impossible for this Lakers team, but I would never doubt the Black Mamba, he can do this.

Other Candidates that are longshots:

Chris Paul
Tony Parker
Russell Westbrook

All stats from nba.com