Carmelo Anthony and the NBA's Top 10 MVP Candidates
Carmelo Anthony joining the Knicks—a team that could now contend in the Eastern Conference—sent shock waves through the NBA.
However, is Anthony an MVP candidate? Find out inside as we break down the Association's top 10 MVP candidates. If you have any thoughts or comments, make sure to leave them below and weigh in on the MVP race.
Who do you think the MVP of the league is?
Extra: What Are Carmelo's Chances?
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Carmelo Anthony was the best player on a good team in Denver, and now he's one of two superstars in New York. But does that help or hurt his MVP chances.
If the Knicks go on a massive run after this trade, it can only help his MVP stock. Sure, he's not on the radar now, but with all of the eyes that will be on him in New York, it can only help his chances of getting the major award.
I wouldn't bank on it, though.
No. 10: Manu Ginobili
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We had to get someone in here from the league's best team—and it's Manu Ginobili.
Ginobili has been the best player all season long in San Antonio, and he leads the Spurs in scoring. He's staying healthy, but he has seen his scoring drop as the season has gone on.
Manu has been a major catalyst all year long and if he keeps this up the Spurs will be a tough out in the postseason.
With Tim Duncan slowing down, Ginobili's presence has been huge.
No. 9: Steve Nash
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The Phoenix Suns are over .500 and in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference.
Nash is playing great basketball and he has this team playing better—even if there isn't the type of talent around that he's used to. Nash is averaging 16.5 points per game, 11.3 assists per game and he is shooting 51.3 percent from the field.
That is the type of stat line that will keep a team in the playoff hunt.
No. 8: Dwyane Wade
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He may be forgotten with LeBron James in Miami, but Dwyane Wade is playing great basketball.
Wade is shooting 50 percent from the floor while taking 18.3 shots per game. That is an impressive feat in itself. Not only that, but D-Wade is shooting 25.5 points per game. He's also averaging 6.9 rebounds, the most he's ever averaged as a player.
It's sad how much he's been overshadowed this year.
No. 7: Rajon Rondo
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Remember when Rajon Rondo was the question mark on a championship team?
Now Rondo is one of the top point guards in the game and the Boston Celtics have the best record in the Eastern Conference. A lot of that has to do with Rondo, whose emergence has helped extend the Celtics' window of opportunity.
He's a wizard with the ball in his hands, he has carved up countless teams with his dribble penetration, and he will be a major threat come playoff time.
No. 6: Kevin Durant
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Kevin Durant was the favorite for this award to start the season.
Those expectations were unrealistic, but now Durant is starting to play better basketball and so are the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Thunder can get on a serious run when Kendrick Perkins gets back and Durant scores the way we know he can, he'll rise up in the rankings.
But, for now, Durant's somewhere in the middle of the pack.
No. 5: Kobe Bryant
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Kobe Bryant has his MVP award, but with the way Los Angeles has played at times, it has hurt his chances to win this award.
Bryant has hit a couple of big shots recently, helping his stock, but not as much as the recent play of the Lakers, which have come out of the All-Star break on a tear. Moreover, Los Angeles went into Portland and Oklahoma City and walked away with wins. That's not an easy feat
If Bryant can keep the Lakers playing well, he'll get more consideration.
No. 4: Dwight Howard
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Before you scoff, just ask yourself: Who is helping Dwight Howard out in Orlando?
When you realize that it's no one, you have to be amazed by the way Howard is playing, He had a monster game against Oklahoma City and he has been playing really well for Orlando—only the Magic aren't giving him any help.
If Orlando can just play a little bit better, Howard will get more consideration. He is a beast in the middle right now.
No. 3: Dirk Nowitzki
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Dallas is a team that hasn't gotten a lot of attention, but the Mavericks are second in the Western Conference. A lot of it has to do with Dirk Nowitzki.
With Caron Butler down, the Mavericks have leaned heavily on Dirk and he hasn't disappointed. The Mavericks are playing well and Nowtizki is shooting the lights out, averaging 22.8 points per game and shooting 52 percent from the floor.
Those types of stats speak for themselves.
No. 2: LeBron James
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Sorry LeBron, but until you start hitting those clutch shots, you can't have the top spot.
Twice in the past week, James had the big shot in his hands and he missed both of them. It's been a big problem for LeBron for most of his career, but he's still one of the best players in the game and he is a threat for a triple-double every night out.
However, he hasn't been as valuable as the next person on our list.
No. 1: Derrick Rose
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Derrick Rose has Chicago playing great basketball this year, despite everything that has happened on the Bulls.
Both Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah have gone down with injuries. Rose has stablized Chicago and kept the team playing winning basketball. Rose has improved his defense and his three-point shot. His assist numbers are also the highest they've ever been.
Rose has been the heart and soul of the Bulls this year.
