NBA Power Rankings: Derrick Rose and the Top 10 Candidates for MVP
With less than 20 games remaining in the 2010-2011 NBA season, many people are ready to hand over the MVP award to one player. But while Derrick Rose is certainly the leading candidate to capture the league's top honor, nothing is guaranteed at this point.
A lot can still happen over the next month or so of the regular season. Seeding is still on the line. Voters will undoubtedly take a look at how players finish the season and where they can position their teams for a playoff run.
Rose is the odds on favorite at this point, but he is not completely in a class by himself, contrary to popular opinion.
Although if you look at the most recent odds, the hardware is certainly his to lose.
No. 10: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
1 of 10
Odds: +3,000
25.5 points per game
4.5 assists per game
.499 field-goal percentage
Wade is still the heart and soul of the Miami Heat. While some of his numbers may have dropped due to his new influx of All-Star teammates, he is still one of the most complete players in the game.
When Miami struggles, it is generally because Wade feels as if he has to do too much by himself. He still, at times, has difficulty making sure that others get involved, but he should still get a ton of credit for being able to transition to a different role this season.
Wade is still the best clutch shooter on the Heat and he should start getting more looks at the end of the game. But until this team proves that they can win close games against good teams, that hurts his stock and makes him a borderline top 10 candidate.
No. 9: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
2 of 10
Odds: +1,500
16.1 points per game
9.7 assists per game
4.25 assist-to-turnover ratio
Paul remains one of the elite point guards in the game, even if he lacks the surrounding talent that those ahead of him get to play with every night.
His points may not be what you would hope for, but he gets his teammates involved at every opportunity. His above-average shooting percentage from almost everywhere on the court will keep him in contention, but I would like to see him play a little bit more selfishly at times.
No. 8: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
3 of 10
Odds: +1,500
25.0 points per game
5.2 rebounds per game
4.8 assists per game
The Black Mamba is a far cry from the player he was a season or two ago. He falls back on settling for jump shots far more than he ever has before and he does not drive to the hoop nearly as often.
You can see him taking a few more 'resting opportunities' on defense, allowing players to beat him off of the dribble as he tries to take a swipe at a steal. He has also been more visibly frustrated this season than in the past.
Yet with all of that, even in his 11th NBA season he is still one of the best players in the game.
Bryant is not going to win the league MVP. He doesn't care about it all that much. He is saving himself for another run at an NBA championship.
No. 7: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
4 of 10
Odds: +1,500
25.3 points per game
7.5 rebounds per game
.452 field-goal percentage
Anthony has made a very smooth transition from Denver to New York and he immediately turns the Knicks into a legitimate playoff threat in the first round.
His scoring has remained basically the same following the trade and he forms a strong one-two punch with fellow MVP candidate and teammate Amar'e Stoudamire.
It took awhile and a lot of talk and speculation, but Anthony finally got his wish to call Madison Square Garden home. Will he one day get to win a championship in his home state?
No. 6: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
5 of 10
Odds: +800
23.1 points per game
6.7 rebounds per game
.528 field-goal percentage
Anyone who questions why Nowitzki is high on this list clearly did not watch the Dallas Mavericks play without him earlier this season.
Nowitzki may be relied on more heavily than many of the other players in contention for MVP and he rarely lets his team down.
While his scoring and rebounding numbers have decreased over the last season or two, he has actually become a better shooter. His field-goal percentage is the highest in his career and his three-point percentage is also among the best of any of his seasons.
On top of all of that, he is one of the top free-throw shooters and clutch shooters in the game today.
No. 5: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
6 of 10
Odds: +800
28.1 points per game
7.3 rebounds per game
.877 free-throw percentage
At this point in the season, Durant more or less has the scoring title locked up already. His points are actually down almost a couple per game from a season ago, but he is one of the best players in the game and he will be in that category for many years to come.
With the rising play of Russell Westbrook, the team can now prove that it can win without strictly relying on Durant. But as much as Westbrook makes everyone around him better, Durant has the same affect on his teammates.
When Kendrick Perkins joins this team, I actually expect Durant's numbers to go up because he will not have to be counted on to grab as many rebounds and battle with big bodies inside.
No. 4: Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
7 of 10
Odds:+700
26.4 points per game
8.3 rebounds per game
.512 field-goal percentage
Stoudemire heard his critics knock him when he signed with the Knicks. They all said that Steve Nash made him and he could not lead a team.
They were wrong.
Nash may have helped make him into a star, but he continues at a great pace and he is thriving in a new city. With the addition of Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks will soon become a force in the Eastern Conference just as soon as they get their point guard in 2012.
Stoudemire is enjoying perhaps his finest season as a pro, averaging the highest points-per-game total in his career. His two blocks per game do not hurt either.
No. 3: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
8 of 10
Odds: +700
22.8 points per game
14.0 rebounds per game
.597 field-goal percentage
Howard is one of most physical players in the game and he is enjoying his best season in Orlando. If he could only cut down on his technical fouls, he may have a better chance to one day win this award.
He is one of the greatest double-double machines in the game and his overall numbers speak for themselves. No team may rely more on one player than the Magic, and Howard has yet to disappoint.
No. 2: LeBron James, Miami Heat
9 of 10
Odds: +140
26.2 points per game
7.5 rebounds per game
7.1 assists per game
His scoring numbers are down. His assists are down. His rebounds are around the same. He has turned into the league villain. He misses clutch shots at the end of games. He takes too many shots at the wrong time.
Yet he is still an MVP candidate and if it were not for the No.1 man on this list, James would be the favorite to capture another MVP award.
The man who coined the phrase "I'll be taking my talents to," James is still one of the best players in the game. His numbers are down, sure. But look at the other options he has surrounding him this season.
No offense to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are quite an upgrade from Mo Williams and J.J. Hickson.
James may not be having the best season of his career, but no one can argue the position he maintains on this list.
No. 1: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
10 of 10
Odds: -500
24.7 points per game
8.0 assists per game
4.3 rebounds per game
Rose has done it all this season. The MVP award is certainly his to lose, but it may not be the only hardware that Rose picks up this season. Aside from Kevin Love, I'm not sure if there is a more improved player in the NBA this season.
He has led the Bulls to the top of the Eastern Conference as they battle it out with the Boston Celtics for top overall seed. While Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer are very good players, they are not of the same caliber as what other players on this list have surrounding them.
Not by a long shot.
Rose should win the MVP this season. He may also capture the Most Improved Player this year.
It may not be long before he is also holding the NBA Finals trophy.
