Top 5 NBA MVP Candidates For 2008-09 NBA Season

Kobe Bryant won the 07-08 season MVP. Can he win the back-to-back MVP award? 

5) Chris Paul
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I think he’s going to have a worse year in 2008-2009, but I just don’t see him duplicating the numbers of last season. It’s not Paul, either. I really don’t have a whole of faith in Tyson Chandler as a dominant big man, and Paul and Chandler worked so beautifully together last season. Paul will still get his, because no one in the NBA can stop him from penetrating the lane.

What keeps CP3 from winning his first MVP title, in my mind, is his supporting cast. Forward David West was an All-Star last year, but don’t expect an encore performance. West is a good player, but CP3 needs more than “good” around him to out-do the other MVP contenders.

Possible stat-line: 19 ppg, 10 apg, 3 rpg


4) Deron Williams
After living in Paul’s shadow all last year as the dominant PG in the West, I think this is the season that D-Will finally showcases to the world that he is indeed a better player than Paul. I’ve said it all along, Williams is more impressive than Paul in almost every aspect of the game, except his penetration.

Williams and teammate/All-Star Carlos Boozer run the pick-and-roll to near perfection, reminiscent of the days when John Stockton and Karl “Mailman” Malone ruled Salt Lake City basketball. He is infinitely stronger than Paul, and can obviously hold his own, as he has showcased in the Beijing Olympics.

In my opinion, not only will Williams out duel Paul when they play this year, but the Utah Jazz will also be better than the New Orleans Hornets.

Possible stat-line: 20 ppg, 9 apg, 5 rpg

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