NBA Top 5 Candidates For MVP
So it's December and the NBA has been going for a little over a month. A lot has happened in that month of basketball:
The Heat's Trio has been epically failing to produce in Miami, the Knicks actually look like they have a shot to contend for the playoffs (finally, I have been waiting for this for a while) and the Hornets and Lakers, after hot starts, have seemed to go ice cold.
So it got me thinking, if the season ended today, who would be the top five contenders for this year's MVP award?
5. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls
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Boozer has missed most of the season and Derrick Rose has still been able to put up the numbers he was expected to and keep the Bulls over .500.
They are 10-8 right now, but with Boozer back in the starting lineup, things could undoubtedly change. Rose will take a hurt in his points per game with Boozer back, but he should still put up his impressive numbers.
Derrick Rose, so far, has posted 25.7 points per game, 8.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds. Impressive for someone who hasn't had his big piece all season long.
Watch Rose break out now that he has that piece finally back and the Bulls start pressing towards a better record.
4. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks
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Dirk Nowitzki is almost always in the discussion for NBA MVP. His Mavericks are 16-4 and one of, if not the, top team in the NBA at this point in the season.
Nowitzki is averaging 24.9 points per game, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He is definitely the best player in Dallas; no one can even debate that.
Nowitzki is a a great shooter, always has been, always will be. The next closest player to him in terms of points per game, Jason Terry, averages 8.9 points less.
3. Deron Williams, PG, Utah Jazz
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When Williams is on the floor, he is the leader of that offense. He instructs and orchestrates the entire offense for the Jazz, who are 15-6 and at the top of the Northwest division.
Deron Williams leads the Utah Jazz in three categories: points per game (21.6), assists per game (10) and steals (1.4). Nothing says top MVP candidate like that.
His team is playing great basketball and are considered a top team in the West. He has lost former teammate Carlos Boozer to free agency and is averaging more points per game and averaging the same amount of assists as he has for the four years. Williams is a strong player and will continue to put on a show in Salt Lake City.
2. Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Who thought, of all the players on the Thunder, that Westbrook, of all people, would be a contender for the MVP award?
The Thunder are 14-7 and in large part due to the outstanding display of Westbrook. Watching him last week against New Jersey, this guy was outstanding. He doesn't miss when he's on. Giving him space is like giving Chuck Norris a weapon and saying, "Here, hit me." You just don't do that.
He leads the Thunder in assists per game (8.7) and steals (2.2). He is averaging just 3.3 points less then team leader Kevin Durant. Sure, he has Durant, but honestly, Westbrook is a huge part of the Thunder's success.
1. Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
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Dwight Howard is seriously "Superman" right now. The Orlando Magic are 15-5 right now and are sitting pretty in first place in the Southeast division. They are 2.5 games ahead of the Hawks and (shocker) Miami Heat.
Howard leads the team in four major categories, showing the domination that he has while on the floor. He is averaging a team high 21.3 points per game, 12.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. Impressive for this devastating center.
The Magic will continue to play well and fight for the top seed in the East because of this beastly center. No one can guard this guy and it will take more then the refs calling silly fouls on him to stop him.
