MVP

Friday Updates



            Derrick Rose was definitely the most valuable player on the Chicago Bulls last year. The Bulls also had the most wins in the league, technically making them the best regular season team last year. But I don’t think Derrick Rose wins the MVP. If it were up to me (which it isn’t) I would have split the award between LeBron and Wade, with LeBron taking it for a third straight year if it had to come down to one player. LeBron had better stats than Rose, had obstacles in his way (media, new team, expectations,) and still managed to average 26.7 points, 7 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game while playing alongside Dwayne Wade.
            I blame voter fatigue, the Decision and the Batman/Robin conundrum between LeBron and Wade as to why LeBron didn’t win the award for a third straight year. This upcoming year though I think that voter fatigue wears off, but that doesn’t necessarily mean LeBron is a lock for the award. He needs to have a monster season. One we haven’t seen since Jordan was in the league. If he can do that, even if Dwayne Wade is on his team, he deserves his third award. 
            LeBron will have some serious competition though. If Rose continues to improves he could be a threat to repeat, Durant has a chance if he can lead the Thunder to the best record while winning the scoring title again and I wouldn’t put Chris Paul or Blake Griffin out of the question either. And as usual, there is always a player who will sneak up on us and make a case as well. Only the season will tell.

MVP Predictions

LeBron may need an extra set of hands at the end of the season.


1.     LeBron James- If James has improved his post game and gels even more with his teammates, we could be due for a season like we’ve never seen. Reports also show that Coach Spo is looking to up the pace this year with the Heat instead of having them crawl around as one of the leagues slowest paced teams.
Projected Stats: 30 ppg, 8 assists, 9 rebounds
2.     Kevin Durant- He has led the league in scoring the past two years and he is only 23. He has apparently gotten bigger in the offseason and was impressive in the games we saw him play during the lockout. If he can crank his scoring back up into the thirties and pull down a few more boards, he could easily run away with this award. What worries me is any potential clashing with Russell Westbrook.
Projected Stats: 29 ppg, 3 assists, 8 boards
3.     Dwayne Wade- Batman, Robin, Robin, Batman, I don’t really care about semantics between LeBron and Wade, but everyone else does. If Wade has the better statistical season than LeBron he could easily win the award too. But I think LeBron takes the cake as both players lead the Heat to the best record in the league.
Projected Stats: 27 ppg, 4 assists, 7 rebounds
4.     Derrick Rose- Last years MVP will need to make a strong case to repeat. That would include leading the Bulls to the best record again and being in contention to lead the league in scoring.
Projected Stats: 27 ppg, 8 assists, 4.5 rebounds
5.     Chris Paul- It’s uncertain who will get the credit in Lob City if the Clips take the Pacific Division by storm. Odds are since Paul was the big season acquisition the credit would go his way. His pairing with Blake Griffin has both players poised to have their best seasons yet.
Projected Stats: 20 ppg, 12 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
6.     Blake Griffin- Blake had a great season last year averaging 22.5 points, 12 boards and nearly 4 assists per game. If he can improve upon those numbers in his second full season, the league (and those above him on this list) better watch out.
Projected Stats: 25 ppg, 12 rebounds, 3 assists
7.     Carmelo Anthony- Melo was third in the league in scoring last season and that was including his transition from Denver to New York. Now that he is acclimated and has built some chemistry with his teammates he has a chance to have his best season yet. If New York overachieves Melo could take home his first MVP.
Projected Stats: 28 ppg, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
8.     Dwight Howard- If he gets traded out of Orlando he also drops right out MVP contention. But if he stays and motivates the Magic to heights they have yet to reach in the regular season, he could take home another DPOY and his first MVP award.
Projected Stats: 24 ppg, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks
9.     Kobe Bryant- After the Chris Paul trade being voided and the team letting Lamar Odom go, the Lakers look to be in trouble this season. But, if Kobe finds a way to will this team to the best record in the league, the MVP would be his for the taking. Projected Stats: 24 ppg, 4 rebounds, 4.5 assists
10. Russell Westbrook- Westbrook is a true dark horse in this race. The Thunder are clearly Kevin Durant’s team, but if for some reason Westbrook makes it his team, by outperforming his teammate and personally leading the Thunder to the best record, he might have a chance at claiming the throne as the leagues best player in 2011-12.
Projected Stats: 23 ppg, 8.7 assists, 5 rebounds