Mid-Season Review Part 2: MVP Race

No headaches for LeBron and the Heat this season. 

Note: With teams now approaching the 33-game, we will be taking this week to do a mid-season review. Stay tuned for analysis of the standings, MVP, ROY, DPOY, MIP, 6^th Man and more.

Mid-Season Review Part 1: Where We Sand- A look at the NBA Standings
Mid-Season Review Part 3: Rookie of the Year-What will become of this year's class?

            The lockout has caused the MVP race to be somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. We’ve seen a handful of consistent candidates including LeBron, Durant, Kobe and Rose, but also a few wild cards, such as Kevin Love and Chris Paul. Where they rank as MVPs has largely depended on what week you look at them. More recently there have been a few players playing themselves into shape and thus, playing themselves back into the MVP discussion.

            At the start of the season Dirk Nowitzki was not looking like the Dirk that won an NBA championship. His stats were significantly lower than previous years and it looked as though he could no longer take over games. Then, he took a few games off to get into better shape. In his last five games he has averaged 24.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. This turnaround has also spring boarded the Mavs back into contenders as they currently sit only 4-1/2 games out of first in the West.

            Though I doubt Dirk will be able to build a big enough resume to overtake what LeBron is doing, his improved play, along with the recent rise of Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo in Boston has taught us one thing. The season is far from over and the playoffs will perhaps be tougher than we have ever seen. The eighth seed in the East is the Knicks, a spot that used to be occupied by lowly teams like the Milwaukee Bucks. Out West, the top twelve teams are within ten games of each other, making the playoff picture and the MVP race a complete uncertainty until the very end of the season.

MVP Rankings

1.    LeBron James- The Heat are now only a half game back from the Bulls for the best record in the East. Even though Bron’s scoring has taken a minor dip with DWade playing healthy, he is still having the most efficient season in NBA history. LW: 1

2.    Kevin Durant- Durant has the Thunder hanging on to the best record in the league. More importantly he is showing us he can do more than just score. He is averaging a career best 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. LW: 2

3.    Chris Paul- Everyone knows that the Clippers are stacked with talent, the only problem is someone needs to harness it. That person is not Head Coach Vinny Del Negro, it’s Chris Paul. The Clips have the third seed in the West and are still ahead of the Lakers in the Pacific Division. Props to Mr. Paul. LW: 5

4.    Kobe Bryant- He is still leading the league in scoring, but his shooting as of late has been a detriment to the Lakers. If he can get the Lakers consistent he will have a shot at that 6^th ring, if not, he’ll walk away with the scoring title and an early playoff exit. LW: 4

5.    Derrick Rose- His overall body of work is impressive. As of late though he has been injured. Short term injuries rarely overthrow entire MVP campaigns, but the Bulls have six wins and two losses when Rose is out. Seems like the true MVP in Chitown might be Coach Tom Thibodeau. LW: 3

6.    Dwight Howard- Dwight has been putting up great numbers when he is motivated. In a win against the Heat last week he went for 25 points, 24 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals. But the last two games he has scored a total of 22 points. The Magic Currently hold the 5^th seed in the East, if Dwight would just man up and commit to Orlando he could have this team atop the East and playing like a true contender. LW: 6

7.    Russell Westbrook- Russ has been on fire lately, averaging 27.2 points per game in his last five. Too bad he plays with Kevin Durant. Hopefully he is mature enough to help the Thunder win a championship instead of worry about overthrowing Durant as the team’s alpha dog. LW: 8

8.    Dirk Nowitzki- Dirk started off the season as a ghost of himself. Lately though he has looked much more like his old self as he has positioned the Mavs to make a dent in the playoffs again. LW: UR

9.    Kevin Love- I think Kevin Love is a stand up dude. I also do not think he intentionally stomped on Luis Scola’s face. Unfortunately, the league did and suspended him for two games and the rising Wolves have now lost four straight. Looks like the impact was larger than the intent. LW: 7

10. Rajon Rondo- Is this Paul Pierce’s team or Rondo’s team? Who can take them further? After logging a triple-double of 32 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists in a win against the Bulls, it’s starting to look like Rondo is the elixir for the aging Celtics. LW: UR