Storyline: Isaiah Thomas is averaging 29.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, and 6.4 apg. With those numbers and the Celtics’ team success, I think he deserves MVP recognition.
I know how crazy it may sound, “Isaiah Thomas for MVP.” Westbrook is averaging a triple double with 30 points a game. James Harden is having a phenomenal season playing a new position at point guard and making an even bigger impact from his previous seasons in Houston.
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But what about the next top guard this season? It’s Isaiah Thomas. Many fans are hesitant to call him “The Next Man Up,” but think about it: Thomas is averaging 29.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, and 6.4 apg (Basketball-Reference). Those are MVP numbers.
Let’s compare Isaiah to former point guard MVP award winner, Derrick Rose. In 2010-2011 Rose averaged 25 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 7.7 apg (Basketball-Reference). Now, let’s compare him to Steph Curry. In 2014-2015 Curry averaged 23.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 7.7 apg (Basketball-Reference).
Thomas’ production is consistent with those MVP winners. AND his Field Goal Percentage (at 46.8%) is higher than either Westbrook’s or Harden’s. There’s more, too. Thomas’ 3-point percentage of 38.6% is also higher than Westbrook’s and Harden’s.
Another important efficiency stat to compare is turnovers per game. Westbrook and Harden average about 6 TOs a game (Harden at 5.9 and Westbrook at 5.5). Isaiah’s TO average is much lower–at 2.6 turnovers a game.
Isaiah doesn’t get a lot of double-doubles or triple-doubles, but he’s more efficient than either Westbrook or Harden on the offensive end: he has a better shooting percentages with fewer turnovers.
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Here’s another factor to keep in mind. Regardless of offensive stats, a huge factor for a MVP is team success. Players like Rose and Curry are having team success, but Isaiah is, too. Currently the Celtics are 2 games out of first place (2/3/17) in the Eastern Conference. That’s better than Harden’s team position and a lot better than where the Thunder–and Westbrook–stand (7th place).
With Isaiah’s statistics and team success, I really think Thomas deserves MVP recognition. It’s still early to say he should be the award winner, but if he keeps playing red-hot like he is…well…. He could very well turn out to be the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for 2016-2017.
