LeBron James or Kevin Durant – No way: We have got the MVP ladder all wrong – NBA Feature
With the regular season almost over, the discussion is heating up as to who will be the Most Valuable Player (MVP) this season.
The ‘Kia Race to the MVP Ladder’ has LeBron James at #1 and Kevin Durant at #2 as of today. And it is almost decided that one of the two will get the honours at the end of the season.
However, I feel that this year, we have all got it wrong.
LeBron James is a superstar and a great athlete, period. But do not give him the trophy just because of that. James has been putting up the numbers all season long but the problem with numbers is that they do not always tell the complete story.
And the complete story with James is that he keeps possession of the ball 40-50% of the time. Ultimately, he has more scoring and passing opportunities and hence his numbers. It is also a rude fact that in a team filled with super stars, LeBron still has not been able to ensure a top spot for the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference, let alone in the league. Also, with all the points the King scores night in and night out, he still cannot ensure a victory for Miami - one cannot take it for granted that the Heat would win a game just by knowing that James scored 30 plus in the game.
Kevin Durant is another hot pick to be the MVP. But with Durant, the story is somewhat different than LeBron. Durant has been the leader of his team this season, and guided his team to the top of the Western Conference until recently when they were dethroned by the San Antonio Spurs. But the issue with Kevin is that he also cannot guarantee a victory for the Thunder with a big night. Just yesterday, the Thunder lost to the Los Angeles Clippers when Durant had 24 points in the game. If you ask me, that is not an MVP performance. He choked against the Clippers last week and choked again yesterday.
So the question is who in my opinion deserves the MVP honours this year?
I will give you a name to feed off for the rest of the day, Chris Paul.
Ever since he has landed in Los Angeles, Chris Paul has done magic with the Clipper squad. With his unique playing style and his ability to break down the defenses, particularly in crunch moments, Paul has been a valuable asset to the Clipper roster. Moreover, his arrival has helped players such as Blake Griffin and Randy Foye improve their game and contribute more towards the success of the team.
The Clippers clinched their 1st playoff place since 2006 on Monday night. They are currently 4th in the Western Conference, with a win loss record of 38-23, just 1 win behind third placed Lakers. And last year, the Clippers finished their season with a 32-50 record. This is the difference Paul has made to the team.
Paul himself is averaging 19.3 points, 9 assists and 2.5 steal per game this season. But his statistics have more to it than just numbers. We all know that he is the leader of the Clippers team and has turned them around into a strong contender in the West. They may not be good enough yet to make it to the NBA Finals but then again, who said the MVP needs to be from a team that wins the Championship.
Take a look at the Clipper roster and you will realize that there is not one superstar in that team except for Chris Paul. Just good role players who do their bit of the work on the court night in and night out. And the captain uses them on the court so as to ensure success for the team.
That is why I believe Paul is a much stronger candidate for MVP than James and Durant. Still not convinced? Tell me the last game in which Paul performed exceptionally well and the Clippers did not win?
At the moment, Paul is 4th in the KIA race to the MVP ladder. He has risen up due to his spectacular performances as of late. However, with only a few games left in the season, it is highly improbable that he will clinch the 1st or 2nd spot.
But the question is, do Statistics alone define who gets to be the Most Valuable Player for the season, with a great deal of emphasis on “valuable”?
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
Tags: