NBA: Why Blake Griffin Should Be Considered in The MVP Race
Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers was well worth the extra year wait for the world to see.
Not only is he putting on a clinic of how to dunk and run the floor, but he is putting up numbers that surpass past those of former MVPs. He is a lock for this year's NBA Rookie of the Year award and, in my opinion, should be in consideration for the MVP race.
But we all know he won't get it, and it's a shame.
Los Angeles Clippers are plain and simple a horrible team. All you Clipper fans can thank Mike Dunleavy Sr., who somehow spent 7 seasons coaching the Clips to an awful record.
At 10-24 this year, they are already out of the playoffs. But, this doesn't mean Griffin shouldn't be in the voting race for this year's NBA MVP.
The good news for Clipper fans is that Vinny Del Negro is their coach now, and they have the start of a solid foundation with Griffin, Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman.
Now back to Griffin and why he should be in the running for this years MVP.
As of right now, Griffin has scored a double-double in 21 straight games. In his streak, he is averaging 24.9 points and 13.7 boards. Yes, you read that right! Those, people, are MVP stat lines.
While thinking about how freakishly talented Griffin is at the young age of 21 (he is barely out of diapers), let's compare his stats with past MVP season by LeBron James and Kobe Bryant (WHAT!?! I got nothing else to do).
Here are LBJ's and Kobe's numbers through their first 34 games of their MVP Season:
LBJ (2009-2010) - 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists (9 double-doubles and 2 triple-doubles)
Kobe (2007-2008) - 26.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists (2 double-doubles)
Here are LBJ's and Kobe's numbers through their first 34 games of their Rookie Season:
LBJ (2003-2004) - 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists (6 double-doubles)
Kobe (1996-1997) - 6.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists (0 double-doubles)
Here are Griffin's numbers through his first 34 games:
Griffin - 21.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists (27 double-doubles - 21 in a row, in 4 games this season, he fell 3 assists short of a triple-double)
*Griffin is 3rd in the league in rebounding behind Kevin Love (15.6) and Dwight Howard (13.2)
These three players have completely different games:
Kobe is more of a one-on-one and scorer type player, LBJ is more of an all-around type player (like Magic) with his eye popping dishes and dunks, and Griffin is a low-post, rebound the crap out of the ball and run the floor and dunk it as hard as he can. LBJ and Griffin are more similar that Kobe and Griffin, but numbers are numbers.
I am also not saying Griffin should get the MVP award (based on who he plays for), but he definitely deserves some consideration.
The young players like Griffin and Kevin Durant, are the new faces of the NBA. If this season is any indication of what we have to look forward to the years to come, then I am sold.
We NBA fans are in for something special.
Right now, through 32 to 35 games in the NBA Season, my MVP vote would go to Amar'e Stoudemire. Not because I am a homer like ESPN writer Bill Simmons (cheap shot I know, I love the guy, great writer and funny dude), but Stoudemire has completely turned the Knicks organization around in only a half year and is 2nd in the league in scoring behind Durant. Let the debating begin...
*I just got a email that Blake Griffin will be in this year's NBA dunk contest. Oh sweet lord, thank you!
