Poll: 2014-15 MVP Race

[Maximus]

Over the last 5 games Westbrook has played, the Thunder are 2-3(one win was an overtime victory against Philly thanks to the Thunder bench). When he was on the court over those 5 games they were -28...off the court +44. As far as individual stats go it was a fantastic stretch for Russ. But, as far as being the most valuable player in the league? Just saying...

L CHI -8 on, +5 off
W PHI -12 on, +17 off
LAL did not play. Won by 7
L POR -12 on, +9 off
PHO +4 on, +0 off
IND +0 on, +13 off

 

[The Red Viper]

LeBron should absolutely win MVP. His indvidual stats are right up there and just looking at how this team completely turned around since he's came back and how bad they looked without him when he was injured should cement him as MVP.

But obviously since the decision isn't made by basketball people Curry will probably win it. Not a knock on him because he and his team have had a great year but he's being pimped out for the award. Crazy commercials like "League's most unguardable player" lol

If not LeBron the only guy I would be happy for winning would be Russ Westbrook. He's been an absolute monster.

LeBron and KD are league's most unguardable players. Its amazing how many take them for granted. KD has been out with injuries but people now don't even consider him amongst the top three or five players in the league. SMH.

 

[col63onel]

I find myself not caring a whole lot if he wins or even finishes top 3. Don't get me wrong, I definitely think he SHOULD be in the top 3, and it would be cool if he wins.

But he won 2 MVPs here already. Everyone knows how good he is. I don't think him winning or getting snubbed really affects how he'll play in the playoffs. Seems like much ado about nothing.

 

[Mdog1]

At this point, LeBron has to do something pretty spectacular to take the award from Curry imo.

He wants it, you can tell.

Westbrook is playing great, but you can't give the award to a guy who A) is barely going to make the playoffs, and B) has played about half the year. Those stats are very interesting Max.

Harden is a good player, but not an MVP. MVP's aren't dirty players, and Harden is.

Curry is the obvious choice, but a lot can happen in the 20ish games left in the season. He could get hurt, the team could hit a tailspin, or he could start playing worse than he is.

Back to LeBron. He has a shot, and a good one. We are the hottest team in the league, and he is the best player in the league. If both things continue, he always has a shot, especially if he gets hot like he did a couple of years ago (something like 30ppg on 60% of whatever for a good stretch of games). He isn't out of it yet, and that should make the others shake in their boots, because he hasn't played well for a large stretch of the season (by LeBron standards).

 

[Brandname]

Lebron really did not play well at the beginning of the year (he was obviously struggling with lingering injuries based on his lack of finishing ability). And then he missed a bunch of games. That will probably ultimately take him out of contention unless we keep up this 20-4 pace the rest of the season and he plays out of his mind individually. Westbrook missed some time too, and he's been rather inefficient at times throughout the year. He's had some great, dominant performances, no doubt, but many seem to be of the 14-38 FG variety where it's not that he's in a zone, but rather that he's just not passing the ball much, especially in the 4th quarter.

It's a bit of a disappointing race from my perspective this year, since injuries have really sidelined many of the top players. KD out, Lebron badly affected for half the season, Rose out again, Kobe and Wade out (not that they'd be MVP candidates, but still disappointing).

I don't like Harden's game, and Curry has played really great, but he never seems to have the Lebron "control of the game" where everyone else on the floor seem to be pawns on Lebron's chessboard. In fact, nobody else in the game has that kind of control over it, even KD when healthy. Which is why it sucks that Lebron struggled with those injuries. If he played at his current level the whole season, it wouldn't be a contest.

tl;dr I don't know who is MVP this year, but I'm sad about the race.

 

[Kizzle]

Westbrook Harden LeBron. Westbrook only if OKC makes playoffs. That man has been special to a level that i think is historic. Hes exactly why athletes get drafted high

 

[nikolajz1]

Curry easily.

Lebron's incredibly lazy defense + turnovers+ missed games+ lowest shooting % in 8 years make it hard for me to vote for him.

 

[macbdog]

Timofy Mozgov.

 

[SteelSmack]

I can't give an MVP to a guy that's missed so many games. Despite being the best player, we simply haven't been a top tier team (when accounting for the entire season, we will be when it counts, though).

If we somehow catch that Hawks and take the #1 seed, then I could justify giving LeBron the MVP. If that doesn't happen, it's gotta go to Curry. He, and the Warriors, have simply been too good all season long.

 

[Kevin Ollie]

Over the last 5 games Westbrook has played, the Thunder are 2-3(one win was an overtime victory against Philly thanks to the Thunder bench). When he was on the court over those 5 games they were -28...off the court +44. As far as individual stats go it was a fantastic stretch for Russ. But, as far as being the most valuable player in the league? Just saying...

L CHI -8 on, +5 off
W PHI -12 on, +17 off
LAL did not play. Won by 7
L POR -12 on, +9 off
PHO +4 on, +0 off
IND +0 on, +13 off

For a bit, I kind of felt like I was the only person that noticed that despite all of the praise that Westbrook has been getting, the Thunder have actually lost ground in the playoff race since is triple-double outburst started. The award is so narrative driven, but nobody is getting the story right. In the last week Westbrook has been moving the Thunder away from a playoff spot.

Basketball writers can't help themselves but to try to get cute with the awards. I mean, it's silly that there is an MVP "race". It's fine to talk about it in an online forum, but the objective way to actually vote is to just look at all the factors (team success, stats, circumstances) after the season is over and give out the award. But it is a much better story to have "front-runners" and "dark horses." There's an entire fifth of the season left, how can anybody be MVP yet?

 

[shoes22]

It's hard to imagine anyone but Curry getting the award this season. He has everything the voters are looking for.

 

[cavsfever]

Lebron might be the MVP at the end of the season but the MVP award is given for the whole season. His first half performance has to be factored in too.

But he can make up for it by winning finals MVP.

Lebron faces a great player problem too -- it is hard for him to win the award for having a great season that is statistically inferior to some previous great seasons he's had. He's established expectations that are hard to live up to.

 

[Toph]

I think too often people view the MVP as if it's a player of the year award.

I think LeBron has been the most valuable player in the league but he won't win the award.

Player of the year would be Russ.

 

[brownsbuck6]

I think logically speaking, yes LeBron is the MVP. Literally the most valuable player related to a teams success in this league.

But, for the award this season.. I just can't give it to a guy that missed about 15% of the season (even if he plays every game the rest of the year) and was in 'chill mode' by his own words early on. As much fun as this is, I haven't forgotten the Christmas Day family reunion in Miami. If he had played the entire season like he will have played the final 40-50 games, then he wins it hands down. But he didn't and that's a choice he made - maybe even for the betterment of the ultimate goal - but I feel that disqualifies him from the MVP.

I think it's been shown by Max and others why Westbrook should be eliminated from this conversation. As good as he's been, he's not efficient and the team arguably does better without him. Plus, they might not even make the playoffs!

Then there is Harden, and fuck him and his bull shit style of play. Anyone that is that reliant of refs doesn't deserve to even be mentioned for this award. If anyone from Houston ever argues otherwise, just show the gif of him doing the tango with LeBron and trying to trick the ref into calling a foul - because LBJ was shutting him DOWN and he didn't know what else to do. Harden?

So, I guess that leaves Curry.. and while he's been annoying me with actually campaigning for this award which is REALLY bad form.. I think he wins it. I think there isn't much doubt actually unless something catastrophic happens.

LeBron can have the finals MVP, I'd much much MUCH rather he have that anyway.

 

[gourimoko]

@brownsbuck6 , I liked your post for the rational argument.. Makes sense..

I think logically speaking, yes LeBron is the MVP. Literally the most valuable player related to a teams success in this league.

But, for the award this season.. I just can't give it to a guy that missed about 15% of the season (even if he plays every game the rest of the year) and was in 'chill mode' by his own words early on. As much fun as this is, I haven't forgotten the Christmas Day family reunion in Miami. If he had played the entire season like he will have played the final 40-50 games, then he wins it hands down. But he didn't and that's a choice he made - maybe even for the betterment of the ultimate goal - but I feel that disqualifies him from the MVP.

I think it's been shown by Max and others why Westbrook should be eliminated from this conversation. As good as he's been, he's not efficient and the team arguably does better without him. Plus, they might not even make the playoffs!

Then there is Harden, and fuck him and his bull shit style of play. Anyone that is that reliant of refs doesn't deserve to even be mentioned for this award. If anyone from Houston ever argues otherwise, just show the gif of him doing the tango with LeBron and trying to trick the ref into calling a foul - because LBJ was shutting him DOWN and he didn't know what else to do. Harden?

So, I guess that leaves Curry.. and while he's been annoying me with actually campaigning for this aware which is REALLY bad form.. I think he wins it. I think there isn't much doubt actually unless something catastrophic happens.

LeBron can have the finals MVP, I'd much much MUCH rather he have that anyway.

But.... look at what you've done here. You've rationalized why LeBron should not win, and then handed the award to Curry who is likely the least capable of all the players listed.

James >>>>>> Westbrook > Harden > Curry.

I dunno, we all have our own definitions of MVP. But to me, from a literal standpoint, LeBron James is by far the most valuable player in the NBA. Hell, none of the guys mentioned are more valuable than Anthony Davis if we're going to keep it 100.

I just don't like all of the qualifications and rationalizations that disqualify guys like James and yes, even Davis, from consideration.