2009-2010 Top 5 NBA MVP Candidates
TweetLeBron James
No surprise here. LeBron easily contributes more to his team’s success than any other player in the league. Not only has he increased his scoring and assist averages from last year, but he is shooting at a career high 50.4% mark. Moreover, his supporting cast hasn’t played as strongly as they did last year. Mo Williams’ scoring average has decreased, and Anthony Parker hasn’t contributed as much as expected. With Shaq having missed nearly half the season and the Cavaliers still maintaining the best record in the league throughout, there can be no other choice for MVP in 2009-2010.
Kevin Durant
It hasn’t taken Durant all that long to translate his college success to the NBA level. He is as consistent as they come in the scoring department, having not allowed his average to dip below 29.7 in any single month since December. From a team standpoint, Durant indirectly opens up space for his wingmen, namely Russell Westbrook. Westbrook’s field goal percentage has increased from 39.8% last year to 42.1% this season, a result of the increased open looks he has received due to Durant’s command of double teams. One aspect that Durant must improve upon, however, if he wants to claim the top spot on this list is his leadership at the end of close games. Durant has been too passive at the end of games. With a few buzzer-beating shots to his name, Durant would get serious consideration for the top spot.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe has the best team around him out of anyone on this list, a fact that probably diminishes his chances of winning MVP. But what isn’t diminished is his ability to carry his team at the end of games. Bryant is one of the most clutch players the NBA has ever seen, and there might not be a season where he has been as heroic as the present one. His 6 game winning shots in 2009-2010 are unprecedented. The Heat, Bucks, Raptors, Mavericks, Kings, and Grizzlies have all laid victim to Bryant’s hand this season. Furthermore, despite having been in the league for 14 seasons, he has put up elite numbers with a relatively weakened frame. His line this year reads 27.1-5.4-5.0-1.6-0.3.
Steve Nash
Nash, already a two-time MVP recipient, has put together another remarkable season. His stats across the board are among the best, most notably leading the league in assists and free throw percentage. In addition, he has the second highest field goal percentage of any starting point guard in the league this year. Phoenix has finished the season strongly and could very well end up with the second best record in the west by season’s end. Steve Nash should at least be mentioned as an MVP candidate.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk has had a relatively quiet season for an MVP candidate, but his importance to his team remains undeniable. It could be argued that Nowitzki is the most feared player in the game. He is certainly the toughest match-up on defense. Furthermore, Dirk has embraced his role as a leader more so than ever before. The Mavericks currently patrol the top spot in the Southwest division and the second seed overall in the west. However, one reason Nowitzki is fifth on this list is the fact that his second lowest month’s scoring average came in March, a time where an MVP should be playing at their best.
KOBE will be MVP 2010 I have no doubt… however LeBron James will give KOBE a run for it…. Kevin Durant has a bit further to go….. Steve Nash is getting old…. and don’t even try Dirk… won’t happen!!!
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WHERE IS CARMELO ANTHONY?!!! idiot!
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Carmelo Anthony, are you kidding. He is a good player, but he is not even the MVP of his team. Before Billups got there, Carmelo’s team were not elite in the playoffs. With Billups, however, they almost won the West last year. So in turn, where is Chauncey Billups?
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Carmelo should be here, he’s not in the spotlight like other players. But just because stats don’t talk for him doesn’t mean he don’t benefit his team amazingly, look at all these other MVP canidates…they have all star potential point guards and centers, of course chauncey completed the team! No player can dominate the league himself, not even jordan himself!
Wade should also be in here, I don’t even got to explain why, he affects his team statisticly, clutch, points, assist, steals, rebounds, everything you name it. Not to mention top 3 in finishing, speed, and quickness.
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I admit I might put Wade in place of Dirk, but there is no place to put Carmelo. If you compare Melo to the top 5 minus Dirk and add Wade, you cannot argue. Melo has no chance to beat out Lebron, Durant, and Kobe. Wade is a great MVP candidate considering he has no real talent around him. Steve Nash also deserves it more because of what he does with the team he has. Melo has a lot of talent around him and without that talent, where would they be? Sitting at home watching the playoffs, that’s where.
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Melo had a great year no doubt but MVP? maybe next year or some time in the future but he’s on the back burner here. I am glad to see him as a team player this year. If it continues, then he will no doubt get the honors soon. He is super talented but the Nugs would still be a top 5 seed in the playoffs if he was replaced by even a decent guy like Ron Artest, Caron Butler, or Jason Richardson. The suns and mavs depend on Nash and Dirk so much and they delivered all year. So did Melo and he’s been ou standing this year, But not MVP. At least not ahead of these guys.
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A terrific game of basketball yesterday with Boston against Miami. Had me on the edge of my seat!
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I am putting in my bid for Kobe. After finally winning the championship without Shaq, I would say this year Kobe is a lock for MVP, due to the fact that they are the best in the west, and with a assortment of players that kobe only makes better, he will definitely win the championship again.
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Anyone who believes Kobe deserves the MVP award this year above Lebron must be high. James had more points, more assists and more rebounds per game, he led a weaker team to a better win/loss ratio and played more games than Kobe, so if anyone has any rational reason why Kobe deserves MVP over Lebron i’d like to hear it
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KOBE WESTERN FINALS 40 POINTS, LEBRON FISHING , ANY QUESTIONS?
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It’s Kobe for sure. He’s more better than others.
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Hey Josh! what happened to Lebron James during the semi finals? Poor James. He can’t carry his team to the Finals.
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