From the invention of awards voted on by humans in a subjective and a lot of the times “emotional” way, there has been the push for “something new”. Fad-ish for lack of a better word. People that are progressive in thought, but quick to disregard solid and consistent good play and achievements. So instead of debating and rewarding players that train to be the best year in and year out, I wanted to go back to the first Player of the Month awards given out this NBA season. I have heard no less than 5 players that have been crowned the MVP before the all-star game.
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November would see Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder. George led his Pacers to a 15-1 record in October and November. He was 5th in scoring with 23.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, and was tied for 7th in the NBA in steals with 2.13 per game. Durant led his squad to a 11-3 record, which went alongside the best home start in OKC history. He led the NBA with 28 ppg adding 6 double doubles in that period, and also added a 42 point outburst vs Utah on Oct. 30. With that said, other NBA players had very good performances in that time frame: Stephen Curry led his team to a 9-5 record averaging about 25 ppg with 4 double digit assist games including four other 9 assist games. LaMarcus Aldridge had a monster start to the season with seven double doubles including a 30 point 20+ rebound game at Golden State! The consensus among the “Flavor of the month” club was that Paul George was the MVP. Not of the month, but of the entire NBA season! It was a forgone conclusion! No debate needed! They had beat the Miami Heat, and were in the finals…after November! This is how it has gone every month up to this point. Let’s move to the next month.
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I will not drag the stats and numbers through the mud, because the main stat that the “progressive fans” measured the MVP of the league was offensive stats. For the month of December, Kevin Durant and Lebron James of the Miami Heat. The MVP talk quickly shifted from George to Kevin Durant! LeBron “King” James averaged 24-8-7 (Points, rebounds, assists), and was 6th in steals. He also had five 25 point games with three 30 point games, while averaging a mind boggling .581 % from the field. James also moved into 29th on the all-time scoring list. Durant’s numbers went enfuego after Russell Westbrook was lost for an extended period of time due to injury. He led OKC to a 14-3 record, adding 29-9-4. He shot .535 from the field, and .481 from the three point line. He began December with a 30 point triple double against Minnesota on the 1st. As gaudy as those stats are, a number of players had incredible months too including: Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Indiana’s Paul George and Lance Stephenson, the L.A. Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Minnesota’s Kevin Love, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry (Lowry is having a career year conveniently). With all that said, the MVP of the entire league was awarded to Kevin Durant. Not to this point, but the league MVP for the entire season! I know! It’s idiotic! At least if you said “to this point…” then I could follow the conversation realistically.
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The third month would “thin the herd” a little bit. Durant would go on a mini “Kobe Circa 2006” zone! He would have seventeen 20 point games, thirteen 30 point games, four 40 point games, and a 50 + point game in a win over the Warriors! Durant averaged 36 ppg while shooting 55% from the field, while leading the Westbrook-less Thunder to a 13-4 record. Carmelo Anthony would represent the East as player of the month. While his scoring was only 29 ppg, he did average 9 rpg while making 44 three pointers in the month! Melo also claimed the single game scoring record in Madison Square Garden with 62 points in a win over the Bobcats! Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson, Charlotte’s Al Jefferson, Houston’s Terrence Jones, Indiana’s Paul George and Lance Stephenson, Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Memphis’ Mike Conley, Miami’s LeBron James, Minnesota’s Kevin Love and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge are a mix of the usual suspects and a few new faces. With the Durant outburst, a majority of the fans are saying Durant is the MVP. Yet Melo is still garnering the MVP talk even though his team is under .500. I bet it is because he is the first person to score 60 points in a game since Kobe did it in 2006!
Here is my verdict. There is no MVP for this season yet! Even the reigning MVP doesn’t own the title. He won last year, and if someone else wins It he doesn’t have to give one of his trophies back. At this point, Durant leads the charge for MVP at the end of the season if he keeps even a smidge of this performance going until the end of the season, he will definitely get it. The problem that most people are not paying attention too is that Russell Westbrook will be back! What does that mean for Durant? Less touches and lower output. His shooting % will have to stay steady for him to have a chance. We shall see how that shakes out, but it out to be fun to find out.
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Note: I predict that Lebron James will come in 3rd place for the League MVP, but he will finally win the elusive Defensive Player of the Year award (he should of won this year)!
What do you think?
SOURCE: BY CLINT LOMAX A.K.A. MJLOVER23 OF VANCOUVER BASKETBALL
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