NBA All-Star Game 2016: Top MVP Candidates for Annual Exhibition
As the 2015-16 NBA season zooms past the midway point, this is typically the time when everyone bites into a juicy MVP debate. Because of Stephen Curry, hoops fiends instead must settle for discussing All-Star Game MVP candidates.
The Eastern Conference has made considerable strides this season, adding some zest to Feb. 14's exhibition bout. All eight projected playoff participants sport winning records, which hasn't happened since the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign.
However, the Western Conference still holds a demonstrable edge in star power. After all, its roster had no room for Dirk Nowitzki and Damian Lillard.
Despite such overwhelming depth, the player with the worst credentials is the front-runner to secure MVP honors, which tend to go to a high-volume scorer from the winning side. This would bode well for the league's top superstar, but a departing legend is poised to steal the spotlight.
Top MVP Contenders
Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
The current iteration of Kobe Bryant is nowhere near All-Star level. In fact, the ball-stopping veteran has become a major detriment to the Los Angeles Lakers' development, which actually could help them preserve their top-three-protected first-round pick.
He's not here on recent merit, so what makes anybody think he also can't get handed MVP honors as part of the NBA's going-away gift?
The Black Mamba has already notched four All-Star MVPs, and one more trophy would break the tie with Bob Pettit atop the leaderboard. An aggressive scorer with no half-speed will own a glorified pickup game, and participating every year certainly bolsters his chances.
As noted by NBA.com/Stats, Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell was in diapers during the last All-Star Game without Bryant:
His last hurrah will dominate the weekend's news cycle, and Bryant is too much of a competitor to take any contest lightly. Although he's now playing with superstars rather than a sinking franchise, his upgraded teammates will still likely defer to a legend whom most of them grew up watching.
And it's not like Dwyane Wade is going to play tight defense in Toronto.
It's the sappy, sentimental choice founded more on narrative than reality, but that's perfectly fine when deciding the most valuable member of an exhibition contest.
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors
When Russell Westbrook won the MVP last year, he became the first reserve to emerge victorious since Shaquille O'Neal shared the recognition with Bryant in 2009. Guards tend to post more appetizing lines in a high-scoring game devoid of defense, so West starters Westbrook and Curry are the most logical choices to fend off Bryant.
Nobody has won the MVP in back-to-back years since Pettit in 1958-59, so Curry gets the edge. A game where nobody plays defense also works well for the world's best offensive player.
The Golden State Warriors guard plays every game like an All-Star Game. No shot is too far from the basket, and that's with opponents exerting maximum energy to take away those shooting opportunities. Curry and Klay Thompson will transfer the three-point contest to the actual game.
What's so terrifying about Curry is his deadly efficiency draining difficult shots. He takes more threes per game (10.7) than anyone by a mile, but his 45.1 percentage still rates fourth.
As displayed by ESPN Stats & Info, he's far more than a flashy volume scorer:
Since last season's midseason exhibition, Curry has taken over the basketball world. After capturing the NBA title last year, Curry has led the Warriors to a 44-4 mark, putting them on pace to challenge the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' record-setting 72 wins.
For every fan wanting to pay his or her respects to Bryant, another will watch solely in hopes of Curry catching fire and putting on a show.
If he lets if fly, the West could flirt with 200 points.
LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
He's LeBron James. Don't ever count out LeBron James.
By James' measures, the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar is having a down year. The 31-year-old is only scoring 24.9 points per game—his lowest average since his rookie season—with a 50.5 field-goal percentage.
He ranks fourth in player efficiency rating (PER) and fifth in win shares.
Since joining the Miami Heat in 2010, James has traveled to the All-Star Game with at least one teammate. That's not the case this year. Kevin Love got shunned due to a limited role and lack of defense, and the fans rightfully pushed Kyle Lowry ahead of Kyrie Irving at the last moment.
James discussed going solo to Toronto with Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor:
"It's definitely a kick in the rear end for our team for sure, knowing all the work we put into it, and knowing the two other guys. You know, Kyrie's games being limited like that I figured the coaches wouldn't give him the nod, but you know he's an All-Star. And then with Kev, I think Kev has played great basketball for the first half of the season. He could've been awarded, but hopefully those guys use it as motivation for the rest of the season and the team will as well.
"
Toronto Raptors guards Lowry and DeMar DeRozan draw home-town favoritism, but they're also long shots to stand out among NBA superstars. John Wall and Jimmy Butler represent better sleepers to steal the grand stage, but all roads lead through the King.
The East will need a huge showing from James to prevail.
After hearing so much talk about him taking a backseat to Curry and other burgeoning young stars, the 31-year-old can use the All-Star Game to prove this league still belongs to him.
Statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
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