Often times, we as sports fans confuse what some terms mean and what others don’t. MVP and LBP are two terms that shouldn’t be interchangeable. Of course “MVP” means “Most Valuable Player” and LBP is “League’s Best Player”. Don’t worry if you haven’t heard the second abbreviation before because it came straight from my imagination. But that’s besides the point; I’m here to talk about why there will be an entirely new MVP winner this season. And realistically, there are only 3 possible MVPs at the moment. The King shall not be involved.
Courtesy: ESPN.com
Kawhi Leonard
This is the guy that has already achieved everything an NBA player could want in their career; and Leonard did it in 5 years. He has won a championship, been named Finals MVP, All-Star game starter, 2x Defensive Player of the Year (reigning), and All-NBA First Team honors. He has shown that he is the NBA’s most elite defender and if his offensive game were to improve, even slightly, he’d be a constant front runner for the MVP award.
Well this year, he heard the critics and has made some noticeable changes to his game. If you were to watch any of the Spurs’ games this year, you’d notice a a certain aggressiveness in his play. He ‘s playing like we’ve all been saying he should. He finally realized that he is strong enough, long enough and quick enough to get anywhere he wants to on the court. It’s only been three games but he is averaging 28.0 ppg while shooting 50% from the field.
Not to mention, he led the Tim Duncan-less to a 29 point victory against the two-time reigning Western Conference champs. He finished with 35 points, shot 47% from the field, shot 15-15 from the free throw line, and stole the ball 5 times.
His play this year has earned him comparisons to a prime Kobe Bryant. The similarities include an uncanny ability to put the ball in the basket from spot on the floor. And to think, Kawhi Leonard is doing all of this stuff this season while only playing an average of 31 minutes per game. If he keeps this stellar play going, he’ll have no problem rounding out his, already extensive, collection of accolades.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has had to live his entire career with a less than bad team, no supporting cast and a front office that isn’t helping his career in any way. Sure they’ll be giving him a massive $145 million over the next 6 years but they’re not doing anything that will ensure that AD is a
Courtesy: usatoday.com
regular playoff contender. We know that Davis is going to win at least MVP award. But, it can happen this year. All he needs is a playoff spot.
He is here to stay and proved that on opening night for the Pelicans. Davis produced a stat line that a lot of people have never seen before. The Pelicans’ star put up 50 points 16-17 (94%) from the charity stripe, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks, and 5 steals. There is no doubt that he is capable of putting up these numbers, on a smaller scale, on a nightly basis.
The problem is that the MVP award looks at a player’s impact on a team’s success. If you don’t win games, you don’t win the award. In 2015, the Pelicans were able to snake a playoff spot from the OKC Thunder and Davis was the sole reason why they made it. He hit the game-winning shot against the Thunder to break the tie and take over. Unfortunately for Davis, Stephen Curry led GSW to a better record and a better end.
Anywho, AD’s numbers are already stellar this season. He average’s 37.7 ppg on 50% shooting from the field, 12.3 rpg, 3.0 bpg, and 2.3 spg. The big problem is that the Pelicans are win-less. Yes you can go toe-to-toe with the Warriors but if you don’t win, you won’t get anywhere. I mentioned that he averages 37.7 points this season; that’s not even good enough for first in the league.
Russell Westbrook
Why this man doesn’t already have an MVP award is a mystery to anyone. The argument that he didn’t win enough without Kevin Durant is the reason he doesn’t have one is almost bogus. Without Durant, he averaged a near triple-double, including a trip-dub streak unmatched by anyone ever to play the game.
Courtesy: sportingnews.com
His numbers through three games this season are going to be the standard for the 2016-17 campaign. Right he is averaging a triple double; something we thought would happen as soon as Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors. To be exact he is putting up, per game, 38.7 points, 11.7 assists, 12.3 rebounds. He is doing this while averaging “only” 38 minutes. I say “only” because personally, and I think I’m not alone, I thought he would be playing at least 42 minutes. That speaks to the greatness of coach Billy Donovan.
There’s almost no reason for me to even explain further. Anyone who goes against the fact that he can win the award this year is truly a “hater”. Don’t even try to speak against his efficiency either because right now it’s sitting at a nice 36.62.
