The Race2MVP Version 2.0

Every week, The Heat Blog has its race to MVP rankings. And this week is no different.

Some great things have happened in the NBA this week and it will reflect on the rankings this week.

1. Dwyane Wade: Miami Heat: Record 41-36

This is indeed you house Mr. Wade. Wade averaged 30 PPG, 4 RPG, 7APG, and 2 SPG this week. Wade’s Heat clinched a playoff spot with its win over the Charlotte Bobcats on April 3. With the win, Miami became the first team since the 1969 San Diego Rockets to go from 15 wins to the playoffs the next season. Nothing short of amazing.

“It’s a big step for our franchise, and for Pat Riley and Micky Arison,” first-year coach Erik Spoelstra said. “To put this team together after last season, it’s a big step…with that said; we don’t want to stop just with this.”

 “It’s a huge accomplishment for this team to come back after that season and not really make huge, huge changes," Wade said.

2. Dwight Howard: Orlando Magic: Record 57-19

Kudos to Howard and the Magic for blowing away the Cavaliers on Friday. Howard is having a sensational season and some could argue that he should have more respect as a legitimate MVP candidate, at least that’s what people in Orlando have told me.

In their victory over the Cavs, Howard had 20 points, 11 Rebounds and 3 Blocks. I do not think putting him second is a far off idea. I know for a fact he is the most dominant Big-Man in the NBA right now. Don’t give me this Shaquille O’Neal talk of him doing great…he’s not. Look at where the Suns are right now.

3. LeBron James: Cleveland Cavaliers: Record 61-15

 Oh LeBron… Here’s a little rule I have in these rankings. If you lose to the Kings, Clippers, Thunder, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Warriors, OR the Wizards, you move down in the rankings automatically. Sorry, those are the rules.

LeBron had a decent week averaging 27 PPG, 9 RPG, and 7 APG. But there are two things on my mind that made me bring him down one spot. First and foremost, the Cavaliers lost to the Washington Wizards.

And don’t give me that “Oh they are good now, they have Arenas back.” That’s baloney. And then, the second reason is they were humiliated in Orlando when they were down by as much as 41 and lost by 29. Do I need to say more?

4. Kobe Bryant: Los Angeles Lakers: Record 60-16

The current MVP is having a good season but I do not see him getting back-to-back MVP’s. One of the main reasons I don’t see it is because the Lakers are proving one and for all that they don’t rely on Kobe Bryant to win games. Kobe trusts his teammates more; he dished out 5.3 APG this week.

While his points per game are in the mid 20s it can't be compared if you looked at the Kobe of the past you would have never seen him have that many assists in a season, let alone a week. Don’t get me wrong, Kobe is still one of the greatest closers in the game, but He is not that valuable to his team or the league as much.

5. Chris Paul: New Orleans Hornets: Record 47-28

I know that Paul is not getting the props he deserves but I just don’t see him getting the MVP this season. Last season, I had him winning it over Kobe, but this season it’s a battle between LeBron, and Wade (I believe that Kobe, for me, has left the MVP conversation).

Paul averaged 29 PPG and 12 APG this week. He’s the purest point guard in the NBA right now and I see him getting an MVP in his future, but like I said, not this year.

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