Ranking the Top 10 NBA MVP Candidates

1 of 13

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 07: A fan holds up an MVP sign as Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is awarded the MVP trophy during the Lakers' win over the Utah Jazz in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 7,

A great season all around but who takes home this year's MVP award?

Will Kobe win his second consecutive award?

Will someone else receive it for the first time?

I believe Most Valuable Player is someone who a team is built around or is a vital member to that team. The team would suffer greatly if this player were traded or injured. This person is usually a team player, a leader.

All of these players meet this criteria at a minimum, the winner, at a maximum. This player needed to keep to high expectations (Kobe) or rise above lower ones (Dwayne Wade).

Honorable Metion: Paul Pierce, SF, Boston Celtics

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 18: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics makes his way around Jamal Crawford #11 of the New York Knicks on November 18, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

Paul Pierce also gets up here mainly on consistency.

Since KG has been gone, Pierce has gotten virtually no help from Starbury. At least he has had Ray Allen, but Ray Allen is definitely not the leader Pierce is.

Pierce gets big points for the leadership role he has had to play since Garnett went down. Garnett is a field general that has been dearly missed.

Pierce has kept the C's from slipping too far. At least they have secured the number-two seed.

Averages:
PPG 20.3
AST 03.6
REB 05.7
STL 0.93
FG% .453

Team's Record '08-09: 60-20
Team's Record '07-08: 66-16
Conference Seeding: Second

10. Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets shoots over Anthony Randolph #4 and Rob Kurz #31 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game on December 12, 2008 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

We all knew Yao had it in him. He has one of the top-three supporting casts in the West—and surprise, surprise, he has mananged to stay healthy!

Usually this time of year TMac is the one trying to overcome a teammate's injury, but now it is Yao's turn. It will be interesting to see how he fares.

The Rockets are down a game from last year's record—but hey, at least Artest hasn't charged the stands yet.

Averages:

PPG 19.6
AST 01.8
REB 09.9
BLK 01.9
FG% .548

Team's Record '08-09: 53-28
Team's Record '07-08: 55-27
Conference Seeding: Between second and fifth

9. Tim Duncan, PF, San Antonio Spurs

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 08: Kevin Garnett #5 and Leon Powe #0 of the Boston Celtics try to block Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs on February 8, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t

Timmaayyy slips into my Top 10 under the radar simply because of his steady hand during turbulent times for the Spurs. He has played 73 games this year, most likely to finish with 75.

This year has been typical Tim. With injuries to Manu for basically the whole year and Tony Parker losing some time, he has not only kept the Spurs in the playoffs, but to (most likely) home-court advantage in the first round and possibly in the second round.

Averages:

PPG 19.4
REB 10.5
BLK 01.7
AST 03.5
FG% .504

Team's Record '08-09: 53-28
Team's Record '07-08: 56-26
Conference Seeding: Between second and fifth

8. Brandon Roy, SG, Portland Trail Blazers

DENVER - MARCH 05: Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives past J.R. Smith #1 of the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on March 5, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 106-90. NOTE TO USER: User

Brandon Roy has been incredible this season and so has his team. They barely missed the playoffs last year with a record of 41-41.

This year, with the help of young additions Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez, Brandon Roy has propelled his team to 53-28 and a chance at a top-four finish.

Averages:

PPG 22.8
AST 05.2
REB 04.8
STL 01.1
FG% .480

Team's Record '08-09: 53-28
Team's Record '07-08: 41-41
Conference Seeding: Between third and fifth

7. Deron Williams, PG, Utah Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 16: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz goes up for a shot against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on May 16, 2008 in Salt

Deron Williams has been a hero in Salt Lake this year.

The Jazz have been riddled by injuries. Even Williams was bit by the injury bug, missing 15 games. But he has been explosive since.

Carlos Boozer has been out, AK-47 has been out, and Deron Williams has carried. He is the second-best PG in NBA and is one of only a few true point guards.

Averages:

PPG 19.4
AST 10.7
REB 02.9
STL 01.1
FG% .472

Team's Record '08-09: 48-33
Team's Record '07-08: 54-28
Conference Seeding: Between sixth and eighth

6. Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 21: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets passes the ball around Brook Lopez #11 of the New Jersey Nets on January 21, 2009 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Now we come to last years runner-up. He has slipped to six because his team has suffered and dropped. They arguably have become stronger with the addition of James Posey, but injuries and the decline of Peja have hurt his team as well as his play, but only slightly.

His point total has gone up, but his most valuable weapon, his assists, have dropped half a point. His team's win total will be down six or seven games from last year.

That is not a pretty slip, but nonetheless CP3 has been nothing short of amazing, but his team has given him no shot at the MVP award and dethroning Kobe. He still is the best PG in the NBA and a true one at that.

Averages:

PPG 22.9
AST 11.1
REB 05.4
STL 02.8
FG% .505

Team's Record '08-09: 49-32
Team's Record '07-08: 56-26
Conference Seeding: Between sixth and eighth

5. Dwayne Wade, SG, Miami Heat

MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat passes around the defense of Vladimir Radmanovic #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Arena on December 19, 2008 in Miami, Florida. The Heat defeated the Lakers 89-87. NOTE TO USER: User

The Flash. I remember that commercial—I think Nike was running it at the beginning of the season, where the sports commentators on the radio would blast Wade every morning before he would get up and Dwayne would prove them wrong.

This season was just like that. At the beginning, people weren't sure he would be good, that he couldn't carry a team without the Big Aristotle, but he obviously was wrong.

After a 15-win season, things were looking bleak. Shaq was gone, Dwayne had been hurt, and they were stuck with the big waste of space known as Shawn Marion.

After a good draft, Wade got to work putting together gaudy numbers this season. He has carried the team to 42 plus wins and a playoff birth. They secured the fifth seed and have a playoff date with Atlanta. Wade has a shot at winning this year.

Averages:

PPG 30.2
AST 07.5
REB 05.0
STL 2.19
FG% .491

Team's Record '08-09: 42-38
Team's Record '07-08: 15-67
Conference Seeding: Fifth

4. Chauncey Billups, PG, Denver Nuggets

DENVER - DECEMBER 19: Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets controls the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Pepsi Center on December 19, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.The Cavaliers defeated the Nuggets 105-88. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Imag

Remember last year?

The Nuggets were killed by the Lakers in the first round, not even a chance. Marcus Camby was gone, the divide between Carmelo, A.I., and George Karl was huge. No one thought Denver had a shot at the playoffs. George Karl was as good as gone.

Then, Chauncey Billups was traded to the Nuggets for Allen Iverson. A match made in heaven. Now the Nuggets are sitting pretty in second in the West (though that position still isn't secured) and it is all thanks to Chauncey.

His numbers are not by any means eye-popping, even though he is faring better in nearly every major statistical category this year, than his carrer averages. But they don't need to be—he has leadership and experience.

He has brought a mental toughness that A.I. never had. He has a team-first, me-second attitude—just what Denver needed. I expect them at least in the second round, but it definitely wont be easy. At least they have a world champion running the back court.

Plus, the Nuggets aren't the most tattooed team in the NBA any more.

Averages

PPG 17.9
AST 06.4
REB 03.0
STL 01.2
FG% .421

Team's Record '08-09: 54-27
Team's Record '07-08: 50-32
Conference Seeding: Between second and fourth

3. Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 8: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic blocks a shot by Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on March 8, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics lost 86-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Doesn't the picture say it all? He is like a young Shaq. Maybe not as dominant, but he is truly amazing. He and Chris Paul are the top two players I would build around, (outside LeBron).

He has progressed every single year since he has been in the league. The only downside of this year was losing the dunk contest to Nate "Kryptonite" Robinson—even though Dwight was completely robbed!

He has led his team to a third-place berth with a chance of going to the conference finals this year! I bet the city of Orlando hasn't been this excited since the days of Shaq and Penny Hardaway.

Averages

PPG 20.7
AST 01.4
REB 13.4
BLK 02.9
FG% .574

Team's Record '08-09: 58-23
Team's Record '07-08: 52-30
Conference Seeding: Third

2. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores as he drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center April 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

The best player in the world. Period.

Kobe is an amazing player. If it weren't for the near triple double LeBron is averaging Kobe wins this, easy. Nonetheless, it is still an extremely tight race.

He has beaten LeBron's Cavs, twice, by an average of 13.5 points. He beat the hated Celtics twice, after a humiliating collapse in the Finals.

Kobe is ready to bring the title back to Los Angeles. Kobe will win at least two more MVPs and even possibly one this year, but he comes in second by a nose, while leading the Lakers to the top of the West by 10-plus games.

Averages

PPG 27
AST 4.9
REB 5.3
STL 1.46
FG% .467

Team's Record '08-09: 64-17
Team's Record '07-08: 57-25
Conference Seeding: First

1. LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers

CLEVELAND - MAY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers does his pregame ritual of applying powder to his hands and tossing it in the air prior to the start of their game against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference

Don't you love that pregame ritual? The best things the Cavs have ever done has been having a terrible 2002 season and getting the first pick in the best draft class in history.

King James has almost everything. He is on his way to a MVP award and could win his first championship. That would be two new awards he could add to his trophy case that includes an Olympic Gold Medal and a Eastern Conference Championship.

He is having the best season in the last 17 years, nearly averaging a triple-double. I doubt he will ever average that, but he is fairly close. The reason he gets the nod is not because of his team's record (weak division, weak conference) as much as his stats.

This guy is close to Kobe who is close to Jordan. By the way, he is only as old as Kobe's jersey number.

Averages

PPG 28.3
AST 07.3
REB 07.6
STL 1.70
BLK 1.16
FG% .489

Team's Record '08-09: 66-15
Team's Record '07-08: 45-37
Conference Seeding: First

Begin Slideshow