The 16-17 MVP Race

[K1rieIrving>AllOtherPG's]

Saw a post on Reddit showing that the Thunder had an ridiculously easy schedule so far, but their next 30 games are going to be an absolute nightmare, The Thunder will barley hang onto the 8th seed or possibly worse after that stretch, Westbrook MVP talks are already dwindling as is, after that it'll be all over.

So its between Harden and LeBron, Rockets won 10 in a row and Harden is posting some epic numbers, We just gotta hope that HOU comes back down to earth and slides down to the 4th/5th seed and I can't see how LeBron doesn't win it.

 

[Derek]

Saw a post on Reddit showing that the Thunder had an ridiculously easy schedule so far, but their next 30 games are going to be an absolute nightmare, The Thunder will barley hang onto the 8th seed or possibly worse after that stretch, Westbrook MVP talks are already dwindling as is, after that it'll be all over.

So its between Harden and LeBron, Rockets won 10 in a row and Harden is posting some epic numbers, We just gotta hope that HOU comes back down to earth and slides down to the 4th/5th seed and I can't see how LeBron doesn't win it.

The 8 seed and below in the west have been garbage. Would be really surprising if any of them jumped the Thunder.

 

[godfather]

Durants numbers arent good enough for the team hes on. "Where would the Warriors be if not for Kevin Durant?" Ugh, the favorites in the West with a guy who was MVP the last two years. Theres also the nagging question in the back of your mind wondering if Durant is the best player on his own team. Curry is deferring to Durant, but is that because Durant is better or because Curry can do that, play off the ball, and durant cant?

Curry is deferring because Durant is clearly better.

And I don't really understand debating a team from last year, to a team this year. When they're not the same team. Not that I think Durant should be considered MVP, but both teams aren't the same.

GS had to deplete their bench and get rid of one of the best defensive centers in the league. Also their best screen setter on offense, that freed up all that space for Klay and Steph.

As for team wins, it can be a little overrated when judging how good a team really is. Part of why GS was so good, is because their depth was ridiculously good. And that can buy you more wins and fresher bodies in the regular season.

But as we can see, depth doesn't really mean much in the playoffs. It comes down to who has the best 8. And suddenly GS didn't look overwhelmingly better than everyone else.

 

[joyner89]

I just don't see how some of you guys think LeBron will win the award. It will come down to Westbrook or Durant and that will be if the voters want to go with the best player on the team with the best record, or the player with the best numbers. Durant's numbers are noticeably better than LeBron's while the Warriors will probably end up with 7-10 more wins than the Cavs.

 

[blommen]

Durant isn't winning it for the same reason the 'Bron didn't win it in 2011. The whole narrative around him is a screaming trash fire and no one will want to vote for him. Westbrook is just playing out of his mind right now and if he keeps it up and secures a top 4 seed I think he's taking it. I just don't he'll be able to sustain himself while playing like this, not like Harden is doing in Houston. While westbrook is definitely playing the hardest, I think Harden is playing the smartest, all the while posting some bomb ass numbers. His situation just seems way more sustainable to me.

 

[Rich]

Curry is deferring because Durant is clearly better.

And I don't really understand debating a team from last year, to a team this year. When they're not the same team. Not that I think Durant should be considered MVP, but both teams aren't the same.

GS had to deplete their bench and get rid of one of the best defensive centers in the league. Also their best screen setter on offense, that freed up all that space for Klay and Steph.

As for team wins, it can be a little overrated when judging how good a team really is. Part of why GS was so good, is because their depth was ridiculously good. And that can buy you more wins and fresher bodies in the regular season.

But as we can see, depth doesn't really mean much in the playoffs. It comes down to who has the best 8. And suddenly GS didn't look overwhelmingly better than everyone else.

Youre kind of all over the place with this post and Im not sure what youre trying to say. But I get it. You think Durant is better and the second best player in the league. I disagree. The end.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Durant's numbers are noticeably better than LeBron's while the Warriors will probably end up with 7-10 more wins than the Cavs.

So are you going solely by TS% or...

 

[godfather]

Youre kind of all over the place with this post and Im not sure what youre trying to say.

Basically you have nothing to counter, so you come back with condescending response.

But I get it. You think Durant is better and the second best player in the league. I disagree. The end.

I was just answering the question you appeared to be asking.

And Durant's numbers aren't good enough? Please... He's 54/40/86 while averaging 25.9 points per game. Do you honestly think Westbrook, Harden, or even Curry could ever do that while being that efficient?

He's averaging 25.9 points per game with a TS of 65%. That's pretty absurd. Westbrook and Harden, players you think are better, don't even come close to that efficiency.

 

[getBUCKED]

Basically you have nothing to counter, so you come back with condescending response.



I was just answering the question you appeared to be asking.

And Durant's numbers aren't good enough? Please... He's 54/40/86 while averaging 25.9 points per game. Do you honestly think Westbrook, Harden, or even Curry could ever do that while being that efficient?

He's averaging 25.9 points per game with a TS of 65%. That's pretty absurd. Westbrook and Harden, players you think are better, don't even come close to that efficiency.

KD is on the most stacked team of all time. His efficiency is directly correlated to the team is on. None of the Warriors belong in the conversation.

I personally think Russ should win MVP. He's doing unprecedented things right now.

 

[gourimoko]

LeBron...

 

[Burt Macklin]

Durant winning would be the biggest disgrace in the history of the award. Replace him with an league average player and Warriors still win 60+. Same with Lebron and it's around 35-40, obviously similar result with Harden/Westbrook. Fact is that team is probably the most stacked in history yet will win clearly less games with the addition of KD and losing some role players. Completely different to even 2011 Heat for obvious reasons.

It's between Harden and Lebron currently, Lebron took the lead with this result IMO. He has almost everything: record, eye-test, narrative, impact, status, still easily good enough stats if not best ITL in traditional measurements.

Lebron
Harden

Westbrook


Leonard
Durant

 

[Surge]

Durant winning would be the biggest disgrace in the history of the award. Replace him with an league average player and Warriors still win 60+. Same with Lebron and it's around 35-40, obviously similar result with Harden/Westbrook. Fact is that team is probably the most stacked in history yet will win clearly less games with the addition of KD and losing some role players. Completely different to even 2011 Heat for obvious reasons.

It's between Harden and Lebron currently, Lebron took the lead with this result IMO. He has almost everything: record, eye-test, narrative, impact, status, still easily good enough stats if not best ITL in traditional measurements.

Lebron
Harden

Westbrook


Leonard
Durant

I voted for Westbrook for a couple reasons (stats aside). First, if you take him off the Thunder, what are they? Id guess drafting in the top 2 or 3.

Second, F Durant.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

I voted for Westbrook for a couple reasons (stats aside). First, if you take him off the Thunder, what are they? Id guess drafting in the top 2 or 3.

Second, F Durant.

LeBron gets another ring

Westbrook gets an MVP

KD gets a prescription for Prozac

All I can ask for

 

[czvo]

Agree with the majority here on KD. He gave up a shot at mvp when he left OKC. Maybe he wins it next year, but he's out for this year. Doesn't even matter if they win 70 again because they'd probably have to top 73 for him to get a sniff.

As for Russ, I just can't see him getting it, even if he averages a triple double, because the Thunder won't even be top 4 in the west. There's a good chance they can drop to 6 or 7. Voters value wins far too much for him to get it.

In that same vein, Harden winning feels like a longshot, at least right now. Now, if they win 55+ games and continue to give GS trouble, then I can see the tide turning. But when was the last time you saw and guy win MVP that wasn't on one of the top four teams in the league (assuming SA, GS, CLE, and TOR finish with better records). I think Houston needs to pass San Antonio, at the very least, to get him serious consideration.

I just keep coming back to it being LeBron's to lose. If the Cavs finish with the best record in the east, and LeBron finishes with 25-8-8 on 51/38/70, he'll win it. Now, if the Raptors end up with the top seed in the east, all bets are off.

 

[David.]

Durant winning would be the biggest disgrace in the history of the award. Replace him with an league average player and Warriors still win 60+. Same with Lebron and it's around 35-40, obviously similar result with Harden/Westbrook. Fact is that team is probably the most stacked in history yet will win clearly less games with the addition of KD and losing some role players. Completely different to even 2011 Heat for obvious reasons.

It's between Harden and Lebron currently, Lebron took the lead with this result IMO. He has almost everything: record, eye-test, narrative, impact, status, still easily good enough stats if not best ITL in traditional measurements.

Lebron
Harden

Westbrook


Leonard
Durant

Exactly how I have it