NBA Playoffs 2011: 10 Candidates for NBA Playoffs MVP
The MVP is the most coveted award in the NBA. It only goes to the player who exhibits exceptional play on a daily basis. The players who stand away from the pack of great basketball players can only hope to be considered for this award. These are 10 players who could easily be named the 2011 NBA Playoffs MVP if there was such an award.
Chris Bosh (Miami Heat)
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I hate him, you hate him, but in the midst of the immense amount of hatred he draws to himself with his flamboyant reactions and celebrations, respect must be given. Chris Bosh is the most consistent player on the Miami Heat.
His number took a dip from his Toronto days, but Bosh is averaging 18.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in the playoffs. Miami could probably be here without him, but having someone who can knock down the midrange at a semi-efficient rate and finish strong at the hole could do anything but help.
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
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I never thought I'd see the day when Kobe Bryant's name was at the bottom of an MVP list, but upon further inspection, this is exactly where he belongs.
His 22.8 points per game ranked as the worst of his playoff performances since the 1999-2000 NBA Playoffs a decade ago. His 3.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game were the lowest playoff numbers since his '97-'98 playoffs appearance, and his three-point percentage was the fourth lowest in his entire playoff career at 29.7 percent. Kobe wasn't a closer this year, not by a long shot. He allowed his team to get swept by the Dallas Mavericks and just barely pushed his team past the New Orleans Hornets. This was truly a "waste of a year" for The Black Mamba.
Kobe,
You're still the best player in the NBA. Next year, just play serious.
Sincerely,
A concerned, loyal fan.
Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
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Chris Paul was the only reason that the Hornets did not get swept in the first round against the Lakers. Paul was the scorer, distributor, defender, coach and crowd for the New Orleans Hornets, and it's about time he's gotten some recognition.
CP3 put up All-Star caliber numbers in the playoffs. What more could you expect? 22 points, 11.5 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from deep. Those are the numbers of a player who wants to win. His team, however, did not have the same motive, so CP3 might find himself in a different jersey next season.
LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers)
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LaMarcus Aldridge has been Portland's rock for the entire season. After both Brandon Roy and Marcus Camby went down with knee injuries, Aldridge remained and carried his team to the sixth seed in the Western Conference. He got some help from Gerald Wallace towards the end of the season, but L.A. put this Trail Blazer squad on his back and hauled them to the playoffs.
His number dipped slightly when B-Roy re-entered the rotation, but L.A. averaged 20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals in his six playoff games. Aldridge's mid range jumper became a weapon to be dreaded by opponents, and his postgame repertoire consisted of an innumerable amount of different attacks. Aldridge was a walking mismatch, but unfortunately, he was matched up against Dirk Nowitzki.
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
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Even though his team suffered a first round elimination at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, Dwight Howard still shone bright like the superstar he is. In the postseason, Superman himself averaged 27 points, 15.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks—the only significant drop in any of his stats—and he shot a playoff career-high 68.2 percent from the free throw line, for what it's worth.
With all the controversy about Dwight Howard and whether he's going to leave Orlando or not, he sure proved his worth against the Hawks. He scorched them for 46 points, but it was his teammates who could not come through. Howard will go down as one of the greatest centers to play basketball. Imagine how deadly he'll be when he develops that 10-15 foot jumper!
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
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Is it me, or was Kevin Durant a bit of a disappointment in the playoffs?
Sure, he averaged 28.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, but it seemed like he wasn't himself, especially in the series against Dallas. His threes weren't falling, he was taking out of character shots and he just wasn't demanding the ball like an All-NBA First Team player should be.
Nonetheless, KD helped ice the Nuggets in the first round and blow by the Memphis Grizzlies in the second. He seemed to have faded behind Russell Westbrook several times, but hopefully next season, the two can work out whatever kinks may be in their relationship.
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
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Wade has been the franchise player for the Miami Heat for years. He's going for his second championship ring, and now he's got some help in the form of LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
In the playoffs, The Flash is averaging 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 50 percent from the field. Wade's converted night-in and night-out for the Heat and will continue to assume his dominance over the Dallas Mavericks.
Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies)
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"Z-Bo" was the heart and soul of the Memphis Grizzlies. They went to him play after play, and time and time again, he delivered for his team. Zach Randolph led his team past the number one seed San Antonio Spurs and almost upset the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round while averaging 22.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Z-Bo came through for the Grizzlies in every trip to the playoffs. With about a two inch vertical leap, he banged down low for rebounds and knocked down that jumper on a consistent basis. He is easily in the top tier of power forwards when it comes to foot work, and his post game falls into the same category.
Zach Randolph has developed into a great power forward in the NBA. He went from ball hog to a star player, and his career is just getting started.
LeBron James (Miami Heat)
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As much as I'd hate to say it, LeBron James has made a complete 360 from the beginning of the season. From the dismal 9-8 start to the beginning of the season, James has found his niche playing alongside Wade and Bosh. The King's numbers dropped a bit in the playoffs, but his importance and production for the team have yet to drop. He's completely filling up the stat sheets, averaging 25.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.8 steals per game. He's even shooting 38.4 percent from deep!
LeBron is starting to make me a believer. I still believe Kobe is, and will always be, the best player in the NBA, but James is making a run on his title.
Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)
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Aside from this picture, Derrick Rose has been astounding in the playoffs this year. Though he wasn't able to push his team past the Miami Heat, Rose was the only player not to blame. The MVP of the league averaged 27.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. His three-point percentage did drop back down to 24.8 percent, showing shades of the old Rose, but he has been the most efficient player for his team.
Like LaMarcus Aldridge, Derrick Rose had to carry his team in the Eastern Conference, scoring the majority of his team's points. However, Rose led his team to the first seed in the East, while Aldridge led the Blazers to sixth in the West.
However, as outstanding as Rose has played, there is one player who shines above all others.
Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
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"The White Mamba" as I like to call him, Dirk Nowitzki is the frontrunner for MVP of the 2011 NBA Playoffs. Sure you can argue LeBron, or Wade or Derrick Rose, but Dirk has bailed his team out countless times down the stretch, and without him, they would not be close to where they are today.
As usual, Nowitzki picked up his numbers from the regular season to average 28.4 points, eight rebounds and 2.7 assists in the playoffs. He's shot a ridiculous 52.5 percent from three and 50.6 percent from the field. The White Mamba has also been almost perfect from the line, shooting 93.9 percent from the line, making him one of the very few players, if not the only one, to shoot 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from three and 90 percent from the line.
Nowitzki's done this season after season, but you can see the sense of urgency in his play. His window to get a championship ring is slowly closing, and if he doesn't do it this season or next, it will be air tight.
