Who Is Taking Home The MVP
- May 21, 2018
- 2 min read
Ex-NBA General Manager David Stern once said that the NBA was a league with many valuable players, and this year has been a clear example of that. With injuries to teammates and trades shifting the balance of teams throughout the season, the race for MVP has been tight. Here’s our top five picks:
5) DeMar DeRozan
With 1 game to go the Raptors have secured the best record in franchise history and the #1 seed in the east. Although supported by big man Jonas Valanciunas and guard Kyle Lowry, there is no doubt DeMar DeRozan has carried Toronto to the unfamiliar position it is in. Averaging 23.1 points on 45.8% and a career high 5.2 assists.
4) Damian Lillard
The Trailblazers have been the underdog of the season, locking up the #3 seed in the West. Carried by Damian Lillard who averages 26.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists, all of which are above his career average. Although Lillard is a definite candidate, the impact of Jusuf Nurkic and surrounding role players on the Blazers can’t be underrated.
3) Anthony Davis
After the loss of DeMarcus Cousins, the Pelicans looked like they would spiral out of the playoffs. However, Davis had a different idea, averaging a career high in points at 28.2 while shooting at over 50%. Davis is also averaging career bests in the 3-point and free-throw percentage. Even without DeMarcus, Davis has carried the Pelicans to a playoff spot in a competitive eastern conference.
2) LeBron James
Now 33 years old and playing in his 15th season, LeBron James, as he does each year, is making a strong case for MVP. The Cavaliers have had an interrupted season, with injury to Isaiah Thomas and Kevin Love and a mid-season trade that would see a rebuild of the Cavs, LeBron has lead the Cavs to over 50 wins once again. Averaging 27.7 points on 54.3% shooting and a career high in rebounds (8.7) and assists (9.2), LeBron has made a compelling case for MVP, particularly with some monstrous performances in the latter part of the season.
1) James Harden
He probably should have won it last year, and the year before there were strong arguments he could have taken home the MVP too. But this year, Harden should have the MVP award locked up. Although the addition of Chris Paul has helped Harden, the rockets have locked the #1 seed in the western conference, topping the dominant Golden State Warriors. A career high in points (30.6) along with 8.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds with the assistance of record breaking performances and dominant highlight plays all season, the MVP award for the 2017-2018 season should be heading to James Harden’s trophy case.
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