NBA Power Rankings: Top 5 MVP Candidates Heading Into December
Through the month of November, we can already see players who are establishing themselves as MVP candidates and some who are sliding down the ranks. I will be ranking the top 5 MVP candidates through the month of November along with some people who are on the cusp of being a top 5 candidate, but need to improve in order to get in that category.
We have seen some amazing play through November, and of course injuries can happen at any point, a team can go into a slump, or a team can trade away players and mess up chemistry, but look for these guys to stay around the top all season long barring any setbacks.
*Some of the stat lines are a couple days old.
Honorable Mentions
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These guys are playing great ball, but just not great enough.
1. Kobe Bryant
He is playing his fewest minutes per game since the '98-'99 season, but that has not stopped him from being dominant as usual.
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 17 | 33.4 | .433 | .333 | .877 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 5.8 | 4.6 | 26.5 | 24.3 |
2. Carmelo Anthony
He has been in a groove lately grabbing 22 rebounds against the Suns and scoring 39 against the Warriors, but still does not have the complete game to be considered a top 5 MVP candidate.
He has had some great games this year. He has not been consistent, but he has not mailed it in yet.
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 16 | 35.1 | .459 | .364 | .867 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 8.6 | 3.4 | 23.8 | 23.2 |
3. Deron Williams
He has been playing a lot of minutes this season, which might be the reason for his early-season injuries. He has had to carry an extra load because of inconsistent PG play behind him, but his team is winning; that is all that matters.
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 19 | 38.1 | .464 | .366 | .856 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 4.2 | 9.9 | 21.9 | 22.9 |
5th- Tie: PG's Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook
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This was hard to pick. Both guards are playing great ball right now, with Rose carrying the load in Chicago and Westbrook actually being the Thunder's MVP so far.
Their stat lines look very similar, so I just decided why not put both guards on the same slide.
Westbrook
He showed he can carry the Thunder by himself, thanks to a victory over the Celtics where he had 31 points and 6 assists.
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 18 | 37.3 | .447 | .286 | .886 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 5.1 | 8.6 | 23.8 | 26.1 |
Rose
He has shown the nation that when he said he wants to be league MVP, he meant it. He has gotten more attention as the season goes on, but needs to improve his shooting and reduce his turnovers.
But to have a winning record after the annual circus trip to the West coast only validates himself as one of the leagues best.
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 14 | 39.1 | .468 | .327 | .776 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 26.6 | 22.8 |
4th- PG Rajon Rondo
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What a season so far for Rondo. The Celtics know that the offense has to run through him, and it has paid off. Rondo has been an assist machine so far this season, leading the league.
He has shown that he is the best player on the Celtics and the future for them also. A hamstring injury has slowed him lately, but if he keeps this play up all year long, he could be in the running for MVP.
He still has yet to develop a complete offensive game, though.
Rondo
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 12 | 39.6 | .500 | .333 | .467 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 4.8 | 14.3 | 11.2 | 20.1 |
3rd- PF Pau Gasol
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He is the best big man in the West, the best power forward in the game, and the best big man not named Dwight Howard.
He has been on a tear right out the gate, and he has shown the Lakers that he is every bit as valuable as Kobe Bryant, if not more.
He has had a perfect game this year and has been consistent defensively and offensively. He deserves a chance to win, but with a guy named Black Mamba on his team, he might be overshadowed.
Gasol
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 14 | 38 | .564 | .000 | .823 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 12.1 | 4.1 | 22.8 | 27.6 |
2nd- PG Chris Paul
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What a year for Chris Paul and his New Orleans Hornets. He has returned to to his old self after suffering the knee injury last year that slowed him down.
He has been loyal to his team after a crazy summer unlike some people, no need to name names, and he has shown management if they can make the Hornets winners, he will play hard every night.
He has done everything outstanding from shooting, assisting and stealing.
Paul
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 17 | 34.5 | .490 | .474 | .901 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 4.7 | 10.3 | 16.5 | 27.3 |
1st- C Dwight Howard
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Nobody has been as dominant as Dwight OlajuHoward. He has been destroying teams inside, thanks to his new improved offense.
He actually can hit a jumper now. Who would have thought that last year?
Too bad he still can't hit free throws consistently, but besides that, there is not a blemish in his game. He will stay dominant all year long, so expect him at the top of the list for the rest of the year.
Howard
| G | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK | RPG | AST | PTS | PER |
| 16 | 34.4 | .598 | .000 | .538 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 11.9 | 1.3 | 22.6 | 26.6 |
