NBA MVP Predictions For The 2009-2010 Season!

Well, with the All-Star break behind us many fans (including me) are starting to look more closely at who has truly been the best in the league so far. There are many great players in the NBA, many young players, and many undying veterans.

This article is also a direct follow up to one of my first articles I wrote back in April of 09. It looks pretty bad right now, so I'm gonna make up for it. So lets do this:

10. Tim Duncan: Well it does hurt to put Tim Duncan right on the borderline of the top ten, but what can I do? His numbers are still very good (19.4 PPG 10.7 RPG) Their just not MVP level good. He is a future hall of famer, but I can't help it. His numbers throughout his career have floated around 20 PPG and 10 RPG. Well They are just that this season, and that's part of the problem.

While in most of the players on this list I see improvement, with Duncan he keeps his old numbers while everyone else is going up. The Spurs are not looking like a real playoff threat with a 30-21 record. Last season they finished with a 54-28 record. They are not going to equal that number.

They have to get younger, simple as that, not just by signing a young gun, but by a series of huge trades. Give up a playoff run, to rebuild.

9.  Zach Randolph: After only playing 50 games last season, Randolph has returned with some noise. He is averaging a very powerful 20.5 PPG and 11.6 RPG. Those numbers have earned this 28 year old his first All-Star appearance of the year. The Grizzlies look to finish the season with a respectable record and this man deserves all the credit.

As far as an area he can improve in, I would have to say his defence. He is averaging just under one steal a game to go with .4 blocks. If he improves in this category he will climb up the list at a great pace.

8. Dwyane Wade: Another player that I am so sad to say has dramatically dropped since last season. He won the scoring title last year with a very respectable 30.2 PPG while shooting 49%. This season he is averaging 26.5 PPG while shooting 46%. A drop that can also be seen on the Heat's record (26-27) Their future looks bleak.

In my opinion, just like with the Spurs, they have to rebuild and this Summer could offer them some nice free agents to accomplish that.

7. Steve Nash: My favorite NBA player who is also on my favorite NBA team. He has come back from a tough season that saw him miss an All-Star game in a city he virtually owns (Phoenix). While the Suns were not expected to be much of a threat as they were looking to rebuild, they have as of now posted a very respectable record of 31-22(I am watching the Suns-Grizzlies game so I hope it will become 32-22)

Anyway, Steve Nash has been a big part of the Sun's wonderful as shown by his terrific numbers (18.3 PPG and 11.1 APG). He has also shot wonderful percentages (51.9 FG% 43.7 3pt% and 93.9 FT%)

For him the imporvement he can make is and always has been defence. He needs to start getting more steals and play better when in man to man coverage. Averaging .5 steals can't be the standard.

6. Kobe Bryant: Let me answer your question, yes I have kept him out of the top five, no I am not kidding. I have made it no secret I do not like Kobe, but that is not the reason he is number 6. I am sure I will be condemned for this and many will probabbly organize a moba and burn down my house. After which they will take me and tie me up in a chair and make me watch Kobe highlights for the rest of my life.

However, let me first finish writing my side of the story. He is shooting 46.1% form the field while averaging 28 PPG. He is also shooting 32.7% percent from downtown. These numbers are not bad. They are very good, however they are not good enough to get past any of the guys ahead of him.

That's really my main issue. While he is averaging good numbers, he is not in the top five. He is just not that good. Again my list, my rules.

5. Dirk Nowitzki: The German makes it into the top five! Anyway the reason he is in this lucrative position is not because of his numbers which are pretty damn good  (24.6 PPG 7.7 RPG 1.1 BPG). He is on the list because of how important or should I say valuable he is to his team.

Without him, the Mavs would be toast, their record of 32-20 is a great record and all the credit should go to Dirk. He shoots for them, he rebounds for them, he defends for them. He is one of the most valuable assets in the league with plenty more fame and glory in front of him.

4. Dwight Howard: He still remains one of the most dominant players in the league. His  amazing averages of 18 PPG, 13.3 RPG and 2.7 BPG are just amazing. It's almost like he is, umm, almost like he is Superman.

He is leading his Magic to the playoffs and threatening to help them to another NBA Finals where they might redeem themselves. Well I am getting ahead of myself, but nonetheless he is a great player deserving of every praise he receives.

3. Carmelo Anthony: He has really surprised me this season at how well he has been playing. He is averaging 29.2 PPG and is finally looking like he is harnessing all the potential he has. He is scoring rebounding (6.4 RPG) and doing everything else except passing (3.4 APG) anyway he has blossomed to be a great player that we all know he is.

The Nuggets are going to make the playoffs and when they do, if all their pieces are healthy, they can make it to the Finals and might have a chance at a victory.

2. Kevin Durant: Before the season started, I knew he could score, I knew he could shoot, I just thought he might put up a respectable 26 PPG and that's it. Well I was wrong. He has become one of the most dangerous scorers in this league and his amazing averages of 29 PPG and 7.4 RPG. He is incredible.

When he takes a shot there is something inside of you that just knows it's going right in. No question just greatness. He has given the Thunder a 30-21 record as they are playoff bound and looking to make some noise with their scoring master.

1. LeBron James: I don't think this is a surprise to anybody, or at least should not be. LeBron has been putting up incredible numbers (29.9 PPG 7.1 RPG and 8.3 APG) He has been unstoppable. There are really no words I can use that could emphasize my point any better.

He has been scoring, passing, rebounding, playing D (1.6 SPG 1 BPG) However most importantly, he has been winning ball games. The Cavs are the best in the league at 43-11. The only question they have about the playoffs is whether they can win the championship and the answer as of now has to be yes.

Honorable Mentions:

Joe Johnson: Great player averaging nice numbers 21.6 PPG 4.6 APG. Unfortunately not quiet good enough to make the list.

Amar'e Stoudemire: Stat has been putting up nice numbers (21.2 PPG 8.6 RPG) in what is probably his last season in Phoenix.

Danny Granger: Injuries have hurt this guy and if it weren't for them he could easily make this list.

Well thank you for reading and if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment and tell me. I always want to learn how to write better and how to please my audience.