This year’s race for MVP is as close as it gets. With players like Shaquille O’Neal, Dirk Nowitzki, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and Lebron James all putting up big numbers for their teams, it’s a very controversial call. It’s so close that even the last five or so games for each team may play a part in it.5.Lebron James, all year this 20 year old has put up great numbers for his team. Lebron has a passion and understanding of the game that you don’t see in players his age, and he cares about what his teammates and coaches think about him. Lebron has the will to win and a drive to better himself and his teammates, and he wants become someone in this league. Though lately he and his team are struggling immensely just to stay in the race for the playoffs and that will hurt his chances. Lebron puts up these numbers without the luxury of an outside shooter or good point players. Lebron will probably fall short of the MVP trophy this year.
Numbers:
PPG 26.8
RPG 7.10
APG 7.2
4.Dirk Nowitzki, Dirk is going crazy this year. He and the Mavs have made some big strides to become a “true” title contending team. Dirk is lighting up the field with 26.3 points a game and nearly averaging a double-double. Do you know any seven footers who can break away from the post and come out to hit a 3-ball? Kevin Garnett occasionally, but not like Dirk. Dirk has passion and drive for the game that are without a doubt the best in the NBA, Dirk will never quit on you and always tries his hardest to keep his team in the game. Dirk wont pick up an MVP trophy this year, but he will go deep in the play-offs.
Numbers:
PPG 26.3
RPG 9.90
APG 3.1
3.Allen Iverson, despite the fact that he is leading the league in scoring, his team is barely over .500. Iverson is without a doubt the best scorer in the NBA, and was rated by the players to have the fastest first step. Iverson is a passionate player that hates to lose, and always gives the ref an earful if he thinks a bad call was made. No one can drive like Iverson either, at almost any point of the game he can take over and kill you with his quickness and ability to change direction to drive to the basket. Iverson is a great addition to any team and is the best point guard in the game, but I don’t think he gets the MVP, or makes a splash in the play-offs.
Numbers:
PPG 30.5
RPG 4.00
APG 7.8
2.Steve Nash, Its amazing to see what Steve Nash has done for the Phoenix Suns this year. They’ve done a complete 180 and are having a franchise year. Nash is putting up a ridiculous 11.4 assists a game and 16 points. You can also see that Amare Stoudamire and Shawn Marion are feeding of Nash’s success, both of them are putting up great numbers, especially in the scoring category. Nash can see the court better than the majority of the NBA and has a knack for finding the open man. He’ll miss the MVP honors this year, but he’ll make it to the NBA finals.
Numbers:
PPG 16.0
RPG 3.30
APG 11.4
1.Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq is as close to reliable as you can get. People say Shaq was made for the play-offs, and its 100% true. Shaq has made a huge impact on the Heat this year, with Shaq they’ve improved their record from last years 42 wins to this years projected 59 or 60 wins. Now look at the Lakers, last year they had 57 wins and now they aren’t even going to make the play-offs. What Shaq does for a team is like what steroids do for professional baseball players, improves your strength, confidence, and muscle. Shaq also is averaging a double-double and is opening things up for Miami on the perimeter. If Shaq doesn’t get back soon from being sick his chances could go down, but look for Shaq to win this years MVP, and add another ring to his collection.
Numbers:
PPG 23.0
RPG 10.60
APG 2.8
Thats the ways I see the MVP race going down. And look for the Heat and the Suns to match up in the Finals. Feel free to post any disagreements or compliments.Thanks
8 replies on “Race for the MVP”
Dwyane Wade and Tim Duncan Not sure how you can have five guys ahead of Mr. Wade and Mr. Duncan.
Wade is only averaging 24, 7 and 5 right now. I now the immediate knock will be that he plays with Shaq, but nobody held that against Kobe when the MVP award was being discussed.
Tim Duncan is the best player in basketball hands down. Granted he has missed some time, but in my opinion San Antonio is the favorite in the West and it is because of him. He’s getting 21, 11 and 3 blocks on the season.
BTW, Dirk Nowitzki will never quit on you? Last I checked he quit on Dallas two years ago in the Western Conference Finals. Yes, I know he had a sprained knee, but there is not a chance in hell Larry Bird would have missed those games.
Are u kidding Trevor u cant say what u think about dirk until u actually kno what he went through, u dont kno how bad his knee was so dont jump to conclusions. Being a partial mavs fan i kno that dirk gives it his all everytime hes on the court
Tim Duncan hed maybe be up there if he had played more games this year, he missed 20 so dont even say anything about duncan, and im a big miami fan and i know what wade is capable of, but u have to give shaq some of that credit and dwayne wade has said it himself that Shaq is a big part of his success and name one player on the list hes better than. Without shaq the heat are nothing. Think before you write something
rate the article then dont just comment and not rate the article… and tim duncan is far from the best player in the league, shaq is putting up better numbers than he is, and hes played more games.
Minimal Love for LBJ? My man LBJ takes the 5th spot behind Iverson and Dirk?
First everyone has to admire AI’s heart and willingness to take it to the whole with his small frame. But can you honestly say that he has had a better year than Lebron? LBJ is putting up similar numbers in scoring, assist, and steals, but is murdering AI in the rebounds department. This guy is putting up 26, 7, and 7. That is just crazy.
I have basically the same arguement with Dirk, just now go with the assist part of LBJ’s game. This is a guy who is doing it all while leading his team at the age of 20. I am not saying he should win the award, but he atleast be number 3!
LBJ is letting his team slip out of playoffs an MVP candidate should at least make the playoffs.
Playoffs True, and the Cavs are have some problems right now. I am not saying he should win the award. The way I look at the MVP is, how would your team do if this player was not on the team. In a list of importance I have to say : 1st Nash, 2nd Shaq, 3rd LBJ.
I go by the same definition which is why i have Shaq #1, Nash #2 and Iverson #3.
Shaq made the Heat into a #1 seed and the Lakers into a 12 seed.
Good work, Kobe.