NBAs next Most Valued Player (MVP)
This year has been absolutely crazy for the National Basketball League, things that no one in their wildest dreams expected to happen happened. LeBron James decided to go to the South Shore to join his batch mates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Shaquille O’Neal signed a contract with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers won another title beating the Celtics.
People can say what they want, but the NBA has been highlighted by the media more than any other sport since the past 6 months. Just as things seem to die out in the NBA offseason, the league released their full schedule of 2010-2011, which once again has created frenzy in the sporting world. Basketball fanatics can’t wait till the regular season starts off on 22nd October where the much talked about team Miami Heat will face the all time legendary team the Boston Celtics.
NBA offers several glamorous and superior features, more than most American sports. From flashy attires, widely engaging drafting seasons, absurdly surreal All-Star games, scantily clad cheerleaders, to a beautiful gold plated championship trophy. But the MVP award highlights one individual’s performance.
Most can’t name the last 5 NFL MVPs or MLB MVPs. Moreover, if someone was asked what the championship trophy for the NHL is named one would find a complete blank expression on their face obviously unless they’re from Canada.
The concept of MVP is quite simple. Experts compare statistics of players which include their point average and see what player stands out the most. As former NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley once said, "If you're the two-time defending NBA MVP, you don't leave anywhere. They come to you”.
That statement could very well be a fact. LeBron James won back to back MVP titles once in 2008-90 and 2009-2010 respectively. Although, playoffs are a long way away, every basketball enthusiast is already wondering, who will be the next MVP? This year the MVP race will be much tighter, with James and Dwyane being on one team, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose increasing their scoring average every year despite being in horrible teams.
Predicting 3 players who’ll compete for the MVP title in the upcoming 2010-11 season:
Kevin Durant the 21-year old, who plays for the Oklahoma City is certainly going to pose a big threat for the MVP contenders. Kevin also became the youngest scoring champion in the history of NBA after scoring 30 points per game. Standing at 6’9” he is as smooth and swift as normally a point guard would be. The young rising stars abilities speak for themselves, he also finished second in MVP voting last year behind James.
Anyone who discards Kobe Bryant from the list simply lacks knowledge relating to the NBA. He has one back to back titles and he has always been in the top five in MVP voting. Since LeBron James damaged his chances of becoming the next MVP after forming the three-peat in the Miami Heat. The Black Mamba has a solid chance of taking the MVP award in the upcoming season, taking the summer off for the wear-and-tear of his body will definitely help him be more explosive on the court by next year.
The pressure of Miami Heat on Dwyane Wade is finally off as Chris and James will be there to carry a bit of the load. Wade has already been considered in the Finals MVP in 2006 and finished at third position in the MVP voting this year and last. Although, he has two high scoring players on his team now, the chances of him maintaining a high scoring average are good. Wade still has a shot at the title.
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